Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "ordinary" is not explicitly used in the Berean Standard Bible or other traditional translations. However, the concept of the ordinary can be understood through the lens of daily life, common practices, and the regular duties of individuals as depicted in Scripture. The Bible often contrasts the ordinary with the extraordinary acts of God, highlighting how God uses the mundane to accomplish His divine purposes.Ordinary Life and Work The Bible frequently addresses the ordinary aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of diligence and faithfulness in daily tasks. In Colossians 3:23-24 , Paul instructs believers, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage underscores the value of ordinary work when done with a heart devoted to God. The book of Proverbs is replete with wisdom concerning ordinary life, offering guidance on work, relationships, and conduct. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." Here, the ordinary diligence of the ant is presented as a model for human behavior. Ordinary People in God's Plan Throughout the Bible, God often chooses ordinary individuals to fulfill His extraordinary plans. Moses, a shepherd, was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3). David, a young shepherd boy, was anointed king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). The disciples of Jesus were ordinary fishermen and tax collectors, yet they were chosen to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 4:18-22). The account of Gideon in Judges 6-7 illustrates how God uses the ordinary to achieve His purposes. Gideon, who considered himself the least in his family, was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Despite his initial doubts, Gideon's obedience led to a miraculous victory, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in human weakness. Ordinary Means of Grace In the New Testament, the ordinary means of grace—such as prayer, Scripture reading, and the sacraments—are emphasized as vital components of the Christian life. Acts 2:42 describes the early church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." These ordinary practices are means through which believers grow in faith and experience God's presence. The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 , is an example of an ordinary yet profound practice. It provides a model for daily communication with God, encompassing praise, petition, and confession. The Ordinary and the Extraordinary The Bible often juxtaposes the ordinary with the extraordinary to reveal God's sovereignty and power. In 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 , Paul writes, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence." This passage highlights how God uses the ordinary to confound human expectations and bring glory to Himself. In summary, while the term "ordinary" may not be explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture. The ordinary aspects of life, when surrendered to God, become avenues for His extraordinary work and purposes. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) According to established order; methodical; settled; regular.2. (a.) Common; customary; usual. 3. (a.) of common rank, quality, or ability; not distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book. 4. (n.) An officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right, and not by deputation. 5. (n.) One who has immediate jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical; an ecclesiastical judge; also, a deputy of the bishop, or a clergyman appointed to perform divine service for condemned criminals and assist in preparing them for death. 6. (n.) A judicial officer, having generally the powers of a judge of probate or a surrogate. 7. (n.) The mass; the common run. 8. (n.) That which is so common, or continued, as to be considered a settled establishment or institution. 9. (n.) Anything which is in ordinary or common use. 10. (n.) A dining room or eating house where a meal is prepared for all comers, at a fixed price for the meal, in distinction from one where each dish is separately charged; a table d'hote; hence, also, the meal furnished at such a dining room. 11. (n.) A charge or bearing of simple form, one of nine or ten which are in constant use. The bend, chevron, chief, cross, fesse, pale, and saltire are uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities include bar, bend sinister, pile, and others. See Subordinary. Greek 982. biotikos -- pertaining to life ... to life. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: biotikos Phonetic Spelling: (bee-o-tee-kos') Short Definition: belonging to ordinary life Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/982.htm - 6k 1242. diatheke -- testament, will, covenant 419. anexeraunetos -- unsearchable 1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become 1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding 1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment ... 5515. chloros -- pale green, pale 218. aleipho -- anoint. 5232. huperauxano -- to increase beyond measure 4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound Strong's Hebrew 430. elohim -- God, god... Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally ... /hebrew/430.htm - 6k 582. enosh -- man, mankind 376. ish -- man 2455. chol -- profaneness, commonness Library Of Magnanimity* (Eight Articles) [*Not in the Ordinary Restricted ... The Right to the Ordinary Safeguards of Good Health Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary The Most Ordinary Things are Channels of Grace. Of the Union of Man's Will with God's in those Inspirations which ... It is Proved by the Witness of Scripture that all Duty is Either " ... Letter v. Yes, My Dear Friend, it is My Conviction that in all ... Though the New Testament Brought to an End the Production of ... He Further Shows that the Pretemporal Generation of the Son is not ... The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its ... Thesaurus Ordinary (17 Occurrences)... distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ... /o/ordinary.htm - 12k Miracle (15 Occurrences) Usual (13 Occurrences) Bathing (9 Occurrences) Cubit (51 Occurrences) Common (118 Occurrences) Scepter (28 Occurrences) Sceptre (20 Occurrences) Oath (286 Occurrences) Targum Resources What can ordinary people do about sinful religious leaders (Zephaniah 3:4)? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the sons of God and daughters of men in Genesis 6:1-4? | GotQuestions.org What makes a room or building a sanctuary? | GotQuestions.org Ordinary: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Ordinary (17 Occurrences)John 11:13 Acts 4:13 Acts 7:20 Acts 19:11 Acts 20:12 Acts 21:39 Acts 28:2 1 Corinthians 3:3 Galatians 4:23 Galatians 4:29 Hebrews 11:23 Exodus 30:32 Deuteronomy 3:11 1 Samuel 21:4 Isaiah 8:1 Ezekiel 16:27 Ezekiel 48:15 Subtopics Related Terms |
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