The term "possibly" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of possibility is inherent in many biblical narratives and teachings. The Bible often addresses the potential for various outcomes based on human actions, divine intervention, and the unfolding of God's will. This entry explores the theme of possibility as it relates to faith, divine sovereignty, and human responsibility.

Possibility and Faith

In the context of faith, the Bible frequently emphasizes the power of belief and trust in God to bring about seemingly impossible outcomes. Jesus Himself speaks to this in the Gospels. In Mark 9:23 , Jesus says, "If You can?’ echoed Jesus. ‘All things are possible to him who believes." This statement underscores the idea that faith opens the door to divine possibilities, transcending human limitations.

Similarly, in Matthew 17:20 , Jesus tells His disciples, "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Here, the metaphor of moving mountains illustrates the boundless potential available through faith in God.

Divine Sovereignty and Possibility

The Bible also presents the concept of possibility within the framework of God's sovereignty. God's omnipotence means that nothing is beyond His capability. In Luke 1:37 , the angel Gabriel reassures Mary, saying, "For no word from God will ever fail." This declaration affirms that God's promises and plans are always possible, regardless of human understanding or circumstances.

The account of Abraham and Sarah further exemplifies this theme. Despite their old age, God promises them a son, Isaac. In Genesis 18:14 , the Lord asks, "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" This rhetorical question highlights the limitless nature of God's power to accomplish His purposes.

Human Responsibility and Possibility

While divine possibility is a recurring theme, the Bible also emphasizes human responsibility in realizing potential outcomes. The choices individuals make can influence the course of events. In Deuteronomy 30:19 , Moses presents the Israelites with a choice, saying, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live." This passage illustrates the role of human agency in determining possible futures.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 further illustrates this principle. The servants are entrusted with resources and are expected to use them wisely. Their actions determine the outcomes they experience, highlighting the interplay between divine provision and human initiative.

Possibility in Prayer

Prayer is another area where the concept of possibility is significant. Believers are encouraged to pray with the expectation that God can and will act according to His will. In James 5:16 , it is written, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse suggests that prayer is a means through which believers can engage with divine possibilities, seeking God's intervention in their lives and the world.

Conclusion

The theme of possibility in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing faith, divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and prayer. While the term "possibly" may not appear explicitly in Scripture, the underlying concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, inviting believers to trust in God's power and participate actively in His unfolding plan.(adv.) In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may recover.1877. epanago -- to put out (to sea), to return
... Definition: I put out, go up Definition: (a) nautical: I put out (from the shore),
(lit: I take up a ship on to the high seas), (b) I go up, possibly: I go up ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1877.htm - 6k

3531. Nikolaites -- a Nicolaitan, a follower of Nicolaus
... Masculine Transliteration: Nikolaites Phonetic Spelling: (nik-ol-ah-ee'-tace) Short
Definition: a Nicolaitan Definition: a Nicolaitan, possibly a follower of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3531.htm - 6k

1878. epanamimnesko -- to remind again
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epanamimnesko Phonetic Spelling: (ep-an-ah-mim-
nace'-ko) Short Definition: I remind Definition: I remind, possibly: I remind ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1878.htm - 7k

2403. Iezabel -- Jezebel, the symbolic name of a false prophetess
... Iezabel Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ed-zab-ale') Short Definition: Jezebel Definition:
Jezebel, name given to a false prophetess of Thyatira, possibly borrowed from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2403.htm - 6k

1650. elegchos -- a proof, test
... Masculine Transliteration: elegchos Phonetic Spelling: (el'-eng-khos) Short Definition:
a proof, persuasion, reproof Definition: a proof, possibly: a persuasion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1650.htm - 6k

2933. ktema -- a possession
... Spelling: (ktay'-mah) Short Definition: a field, property Definition: a piece of
landed property, a field; plur: possessions, property, possibly landed property ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2933.htm - 6k

860. haphe -- a joint
... Transliteration: haphe Phonetic Spelling: (haf-ay') Short Definition: a band, fastening,
a ligament Definition: a band, fastening (hence, possibly: a ligament ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/860.htm - 6k

3539. noeo -- to perceive, think
... apprehend; aor. possibly: realize. 3539 (from 3563 , "mind") -- properly, to
apply effort needed to reach "bottom-line" conclusions. 3539 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3539.htm - 7k

2235. ede -- already
... already, even now, by this time. Apparently from e (or possibly e) and de; even
now -- already, (even) now (already), by this time. see GREEK e. see GREEK e. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2235.htm - 7k

4458. pos -- at all
... 4458 -- properly, (conveying "indefiniteness of manner," S. Zodhiates, ); a particle
meaning, "if (somehow)" or "if possibly," when used with the Gk conjunction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4458.htm - 7k

3045. yada -- to know
... 4), make them known (1), make your known (1), make yourself known (1), make known
(14), notice (2), observe (2), perceive (1), perceived (1), possibly know (1 ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

6031. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted
... Spelling: (aw-naw') Short Definition: defile. abase self, defile A primitive
root (possibly rather ident. With anah through the idea of ...
/hebrew/6031.htm - 6k

7251. raba -- to square
... A primitive root (rather identical with raba' through the idea of sprawling "at
all fours" (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare arba ...
/hebrew/7251.htm - 6k

Possibly Thy Inquiry is Satisfied by this My Brief Reply. ...
... 3. Possibly thy inquiry is satisfied by this my brief reply.? 3. Possibly
thy inquiry is satisfied by this my brief reply. But ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /3 possibly thy inquiry is.htm

It Cannot Possibly be Proved from the Sacred Writings, that the ...
... ARTICLE XX It cannot possibly be proved from the Sacred Writings, that the
angels are now confirmed in their estate. It cannot possibly ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xx it cannot possibly.htm

But Possibly one who Has Given his Attention to the Course of the ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXIV. But possibly one who has given his
attention to the course of the preceding remarks? But ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiv but possibly one.htm

What Words Indeed could Possibly Express the Greatness of that ...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter X. What words indeed could possibly express
the greatness of that loss in falling away from? ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter x what words indeed.htm

Possibly the Baptized Infants Would have Repented if they had ...
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 25 [XIII.]"Possibly the
Baptized Infants Would Have Repented If They Had Lived, and the Unbaptized Not ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 25 xiii possibly the baptized.htm

Fragment Li. Now, However, Inasmuch as the Books of These Men May ...
... Fragment LI. Now, however, inasmuch as the books of these men may possibly
have escaped your observation? Now, [4901] however, inasmuch ...
/.../fragment li now however inasmuch.htm

Now this is the Only Knowledge that You Can Possibly have of an ...
... [Way-3-9] Now this is the only knowledge that you can possibly have of
an outward hell? Now this is the only knowledge that you ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-9 now this is the.htm

What Can be More Distinct than this Statement? what could Possibly ...
... What could possibly be thought or said whether by Origen or by any of those whom
you say that you condemn, which would be clearer than this, that the ...
/.../29 what can be more.htm

These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the ...
... These things, since they are asserted upon the warrant of the Prophetical Scriptures,
may possibly silence the Jews, infidel and incredulous though they be. ...
/.../11 these things since they.htm

The Very Names of Father and Son Prove the Personal Distinction of ...
... Chapter X."The Very Names of Father and Son Prove the Personal Distinction of the
Two They Cannot Possibly Be Identical, Nor is Their Identity Necessary to ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter x the very names of.htm

Possibly (13 Occurrences)
... manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention,
change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may ...
/p/possibly.htm - 10k

Gilead (130 Occurrences)
... The Arabic jilead means "rough," "rugged." (1) A city named in Hosea 6:8; Hosea
12:11, possibly to be identified with Gilead near to Mizpah (Judges 10:17). ...
/g/gilead.htm - 56k

Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... shinTah, derived from the Arabic sanT, now a name confined to one species of acacia,
Acacia nilotica (Natural Order, Leguminosae), but possibly was once a more ...
/s/shittim.htm - 20k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
...Possibly a horse's bit is meant; possibly the phrase is a condensed form for "the
yoke that prevents their feeding"; possibly the text is corrupt. See JAW. ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

Hammurabi
... in the all-important work of digging canals, he found time to turn his attention
to the land of Yamutbalu (8th year), and in his 10th he possibly conquered, or ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... bar'-na-bas (Barnabas, "son of exhortation," or possibly "son of Nebo"): This name
was applied to the associate of Paul, who was originally called Joses or ...
/b/barnabas.htm - 25k

Melchisedec (10 Occurrences)
... Knudtzon, Beitrage zur Assyriologie, IV, 101;, 279;, cited by GA Smith, Jerusalem,
II, 8, note 1). It thus becomes clear that possibly tradition identified ...
/m/melchisedec.htm - 17k

Melchizedek (12 Occurrences)
... Knudtzon, Beitrage zur Assyriologie, IV, 101;, 279;, cited by GA Smith, Jerusalem,
II, 8, note 1). It thus becomes clear that possibly tradition identified ...
/m/melchizedek.htm - 19k

Land (19790 Occurrences)
...Possibly, however, the name may represent the Hebrew ganne sarim, "princely gardens."
It is applied to a district on the Northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee ...
/l/land.htm - 21k

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)
... 23). Probably the same as Kadesh-barnea (qv). (2.) A city of Issachar (1
Chronicles 6:72). Possibly Tell Abu Kadeis, near Lejjun. (3 ...
/k/kedesh.htm - 14k

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Possibly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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