The term "privately" in the context of the Bible often refers to actions or communications that occur away from public view or without the knowledge of others. This concept is significant in various biblical narratives and teachings, where privacy can be associated with both positive and negative connotations.

Biblical Instances:

1. Jesus' Teachings and Actions:
· Jesus often engaged in private discussions with His disciples to explain parables and teachings that were not immediately clear to the public. In Mark 4:34 , it is noted, "He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples." This highlights the importance of intimate, private instruction for deeper understanding.

2. Prayer:
· The Bible emphasizes the value of private prayer as a sincere form of communication with God. In Matthew 6:6 , Jesus instructs, "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This underscores the idea that private prayer is a personal and genuine act of faith.

3. Counsel and Correction:
· Private correction is encouraged as a means of maintaining relationships and addressing sin. In Matthew 18:15 , Jesus advises, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This approach is intended to resolve issues discreetly and lovingly.

4. Conspiracies and Deception:
· The Bible also records instances where actions done privately are associated with deceit or conspiracy. In Acts 23:19-21 , the apostle Paul is informed privately by his nephew about a plot against his life, demonstrating how secrecy can be used for malicious purposes.

5. Private Devotion:
· The concept of private devotion is seen in the life of Daniel, who continued his practice of praying privately despite the king's decree against it. Daniel 6:10 states, "Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees to pray and give thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Theological Implications:

The use of privacy in the Bible often reflects the heart's intentions. Actions done privately can be a testament to genuine faith and devotion, as seen in private prayer and personal instruction. Conversely, secrecy can also be a tool for sin and deception, as illustrated in various biblical accounts of conspiracies. The Bible encourages believers to use privacy for righteous purposes, fostering a sincere relationship with God and others.1. (adv.) In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of others.

2. (adv.) In a manner affecting an individual; personally not officially; as, he is not privately benefited.

2977. lathra -- secretly
... secretly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: lathra Phonetic Spelling:
(lath'-rah) Short Definition: secretly Definition: secretly, privately. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2977.htm - 6k

2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 1), just (2), like (4), more (1), motives (1), natural* (1), off (2), one* (2),
outwardly* (1), over (3), private* (1), privately* (7), reference (1), rightly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

5260. hupoballo -- to throw or put under
... or put under. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupoballo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ob-al'-lo) Short Definition: I suborn, instruct privately Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5260.htm - 6k

2398. idios -- one's own, distinct
... NASB Word Usage due (1), friends (1), himself (4), home (1), individually (1), one's
own (1), own (84), owner (1), private* (1), privately* (7), proper (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2398.htm - 8k

5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... think, suppose, deem. From hupo and noieo; to think under (privately), ie To surmise
or conjecture -- think, suppose, deem. see GREEK hupo. see GREEK noieo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5282.htm - 6k

2931. kruphe -- hidden, secret
... in secret. Adverb from krupto; privately -- in secret. see GREEK krupto. (kruphe) --
1 Occurrence. 2930, 2931. kruphe. 2931a . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2931.htm - 5k

2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... krino Phonetic Spelling: (kree'-no) Short Definition: I judge, decide, think good
Definition: (a) I judge, whether in a law-court or privately: sometimes with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2919.htm - 11k

7987. sheli -- quietness
... 7986, 7987. sheli. 7988 . quietness. Transliteration: sheli Phonetic Spelling:
(shel-ee') Short Definition: privately. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7987.htm - 6k

The Same Request is Privately Repeated to Me, and My Answer to It.
... 6. The same request is privately repeated to me, and my answer to it. In
addition to these different applications, I was privately ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/6 the same request is.htm

How, Upon Saul's Transgression of the Prophet's Commands, Samuel ...
... CHAPTER 8. How, Upon Saul's Transgression Of The Prophet's Commands, Samuel Ordained
Another Person To Be King Privately, Whose Name Was David, As God ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how upon sauls.htm

Death Brought to Nought by the Death of Christ. Why Then did not ...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 21. Death brought to nought by the death
of Christ. Why then did not Christ die privately, or in a more honourable way? ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 21 death brought to.htm

If any of the Clergy Should Fall Away, and Publicly or Privately ...
... Canon IV. If any of the clergy should fall away, and publicly or privately
presume to maintain? If any of the clergy should fall ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon iv if any of.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... Ver.2. "And I laid before them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but
privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

The Hidden Treasure.
... two, along with the concluding representation of the general judgment, were spoken,
not to the multitude on the shore of the lake, but more privately to a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/v the hidden treasure.htm

Whether the Husband Can on his Own Judgment Put Away his Wife on ...
... "was minded to put" Mary "away privately." Therefore it would seem that a husband
may privately pronounce a divorce without the judgment of the Church. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the husband can on.htm

The Idumeans Being Sent for by the Zealots, came Immediately to ...
... own substance, and, by way of trial beforehand, have madly plundered the neighboring
villages and cities, in the upshot of all, have privately run together ...
/.../chapter 4 the idumeans being.htm

Do not Accept Judaism.
... And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no
one has it in his power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have ...
/.../chapter vi do not accept judaism.htm

The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel
... as to how the bread was to be provided came from Christ; in the other Evangelists'
accounts that question is discussed first amongst the Apostles privately. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the fourth miracle in johns.htm

Privately (29 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) In a manner affecting an individual; personally not officially; as,
he is not privately benefited. ...Privately (29 Occurrences). ...
/p/privately.htm - 15k

Private (32 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, "Why
weren't we able to cast it out?" (Root in WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/private.htm - 17k

Aside (416 Occurrences)
... 3. (adv.) So as to be heard by others; privately. ... ASIDE. a-sid': "Distinct from others,"
"privately," such is the sense of the word in 2 Kings 4:4 Mark 7:33. ...
/a/aside.htm - 37k

Whisper (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To utter in a low and nonvocal tone; to say under the breath; hence,
to mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper. ...
/w/whisper.htm - 10k

Expel (29 Occurrences)
... you. (WEY). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and
asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" (WEY). Mark ...
/e/expel.htm - 15k

Privy (3 Occurrences)
... open to the public. 4. (a.) Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction;
secretly cognizant; privately knowing. 5. (n.) A partaker ...
/p/privy.htm - 9k

Privily (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a privy manner; privately; secretly.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRIVY; PRIVILY. priv'-i ...
/p/privily.htm - 12k

Couldn't (6 Occurrences)
... Couldn't (6 Occurrences). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately
and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" (See NIV). ...
/c/couldn't.htm - 18k

Drive (132 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and
said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?" (See NAS NIV). ...
/d/drive.htm - 38k

Mountain (298 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:3 And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives, the disciples came
to him privately, saying, Make clear to us, when will these things be? ...
/m/mountain.htm - 48k

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Privately: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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