Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Concept Proportion, in a biblical context, refers to the harmonious and balanced relationship between different elements, often reflecting God's order and design. It is the principle of balance and fairness, ensuring that each part of a whole is appropriately related to the others. This concept is evident in various aspects of biblical teaching, including justice, stewardship, and the distribution of resources. Biblical References 1. Creation and Order The concept of proportion is foundational in the creation narrative, where God establishes order and balance in the universe. Genesis 1 describes the systematic and proportionate creation of the world, where each element is created in its time and place, reflecting divine wisdom and order. 2. Justice and Fairness Proportion is closely related to justice, as seen in the biblical mandate for fair treatment and equitable distribution. Leviticus 19:36 states, "You must have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This command underscores the importance of proportionality in economic transactions and social justice. 3. Stewardship and Giving The principle of proportion is also evident in the biblical teachings on stewardship and giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 , Paul writes, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time, your surplus will supply their need, so that in turn their surplus will supply your need. Then there will be equality." This passage highlights the importance of proportional giving, where contributions are made according to one's means, promoting balance and mutual support within the community. 4. Talents and Abilities The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the concept of proportion in the distribution and use of gifts and abilities. Each servant is given talents according to his ability, and they are expected to use them wisely and proportionately. This parable emphasizes accountability and the responsible use of resources entrusted by God. 5. Proportional Retribution The principle of "an eye for an eye" found in Exodus 21:23-25 reflects the idea of proportional retribution in justice: "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This law was intended to ensure that punishment was proportionate to the offense, preventing excessive retribution and maintaining justice. Theological Implications Proportion in the Bible underscores the divine attribute of justice and the call for humans to reflect God's character in their dealings with one another. It is a reminder of the need for balance in all aspects of life, whether in personal conduct, community relations, or worship. The biblical emphasis on proportion encourages believers to seek fairness, equity, and harmony, aligning their lives with God's righteous standards. Easton's Bible Dictionary Proportion of faith(Romans 12:6). Paul says here that each one was to exercise his gift of prophecy, i.e., of teaching, "according to the proportion of faith." The meaning is, that the utterances of the "prophet" were not to fluctuate according to his own impulses or independent thoughts, but were to be adjusted to the truth revealed to him as a beliver, i.e., were to be in accordance with it. In post-Reformation times this phrase was used as meaning that all Scripture was to be interpreted with reference to all other Scripture, i.e., that no words or expressions were to be isolated or interpreted in a way contrary to its general teaching. This was also called the "analogy of faith." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body.2. (n.) Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion. 3. (n.) The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot. 4. (n.) A part considered comparatively; a share. 5. (n.) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth. 6. (n.) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional. 7. (v.) To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income. 8. (v.) To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body. 9. (v.) To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PROPORTIONpro-por'-shun: Occurs once in the sense of "space" as the translation of ma`-ar, "void or open space" (1 Kings 7:36 the King James Version margin "Hebrew `nakedness,' " the Revised Version (British and American) "space"); once in the obsolete sense of "form" as the translation of `erekh, "array," or "row" (Job 41:12, the Revised Version (British and American) "frame"); and once in the sense of "measure" as the translation of analogia, "proportion" "equality" (Romans 12:6, "the proportion of faith," the Revised Version (British and American) "the proportion of our faith"). "Proportionally" occurs in The Wisdom of Solomon 13:5, analogos, the Revised Version (British and American) "in like proportion," margin "correspondently." Greek 356. analogia -- proportion ... proportion. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: analogia Phonetic Spelling: (an-al-og-ee'-ah) Short Definition: proportion, measure Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/356.htm - 7k 2531. kathos -- according as, just as 2526. katho -- according as 2531a. kathos -- according as, just as 2471. isotes -- equality 2530. kathoti -- according as, because Strong's Hebrew 4971. mathkoneth -- measurement, tally, proportion... measurement, tally, proportion. Transliteration: mathkoneth or mathkuneth Phonetic Spelling: (math-ko'-neth) Short Definition: proportions. ... /hebrew/4971.htm - 6k 4371. mekes -- computation, proportion to be paid, tax 8508. toknith -- measurement, proportion 4626. maar -- a bare or naked place 6187. erek -- an order, row, estimate 6310. peh -- mouth Library September the First the virtue of Proportion Times are Measured in Proportion as they Pass By. This Power in Proportion to Faith. No Mere Metaphor in the Phrase Resurrection of the Dead in ... Christ, by Preserving his Flesh Incorrupt in virginity, Draws to ... 'Salt in Yourselves' Upon the Love of Our Neighbour. What Kind of Affinity (Convenance) it is which Excites Love. What the Difference is Between Christ and the Saints. The End of Theology Thesaurus Proportion (15 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Proportion of faith. (Romans 12:6). Paul says here that each one was to exercise his gift of prophecy, ie ... /p/proportion.htm - 14k Gothic Frame (33 Occurrences) Tower (74 Occurrences) Temper (14 Occurrences) Equivalent (3 Occurrences) Proportionate (1 Occurrence) Bar (27 Occurrences) After (10866 Occurrences) Assay (3 Occurrences) Resources Should a Christian pay into Social Security and/or accept Social Security payments? | GotQuestions.orgIs carbon dating a reliable method for determining the age of things? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean for a society to be post-Christian? | GotQuestions.org Proportion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Proportion (15 Occurrences)Acts 11:29 Romans 12:6 2 Corinthians 8:11 Exodus 30:32 Exodus 30:37 Leviticus 25:16 Leviticus 25:51 Leviticus 25:52 Numbers 35:8 Deuteronomy 16:10 Deuteronomy 16:17 Deuteronomy 25:2 Joshua 18:4 1 Kings 7:36 Job 41:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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