In biblical terms, stipulations refer to the specific requirements, conditions, or commands that God sets forth within His covenants with humanity. These stipulations are integral to understanding the nature of the relationship between God and His people, as they outline the expectations and responsibilities that accompany divine promises.

Old Testament Context

The concept of stipulations is prominently featured in the covenants of the Old Testament. One of the most significant examples is the Mosaic Covenant, where God provides the Israelites with the Law at Mount Sinai. These laws, including the Ten Commandments, serve as stipulations for the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In Exodus 19:5, God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine." Here, obedience to God's commands is the stipulation for Israel to remain His chosen people.

The Deuteronomic Code further elaborates on these stipulations, emphasizing blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the consequences of adhering to or deviating from God's commands, illustrating the conditional nature of the covenant. The stipulations are not merely legalistic requirements but are intended to guide the Israelites in living a life that reflects God's holiness and justice.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of stipulations evolves with the advent of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant was based on adherence to the Law, the New Covenant emphasizes faith in Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. However, this does not negate the presence of stipulations; rather, it reframes them in the context of grace and faith.

Jesus summarizes the stipulations of the New Covenant in Matthew 22:37-40: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Here, love becomes the central stipulation, encapsulating the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

The Apostle Paul further clarifies the stipulations of the New Covenant in his epistles. In Romans 12:1-2, he urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, indicating that the stipulations of the New Covenant involve a holistic commitment to living in accordance with God's will.

Theological Significance

Stipulations in the Bible underscore the covenantal relationship between God and His people. They highlight the importance of obedience, faith, and love as responses to God's grace and promises. While the specific stipulations may differ between the Old and New Testaments, the underlying principle remains the same: a call to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His character.

The stipulations also serve as a reminder of human responsibility in the divine-human relationship. They are not arbitrary rules but are designed to foster a community that embodies God's justice, mercy, and love. Through adherence to these stipulations, believers demonstrate their commitment to God and their desire to live in harmony with His divine purposes.

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... this head again and to speak of it thus: To understand a covenant, you must know
who are the contracting parties; secondly, what are the stipulations of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.htm

Its Results
... upon those who come to Christ"a pardon which may be rescinded, yea, which will be
canceled, unless they "do their part" and perform certain stipulations! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/10 its results.htm

Conversion
... He rejoices to hear of the covenant plan drawn up for him from all eternity, of
the great fulfillment on the cross at Calvary, of all the stipulations of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/conversion.htm

God in the Covenant
... favour." But there is nothing for us to do; he will work all our works in us; and
the very graces that are sometimes represented as being stipulations of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

A Free Salvation
... persuasion to those who despise that glorious salvation which it is our privilege
to preach, and turn away from those generous stipulations""without money ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a free salvation.htm

If, with Minds Thus Framed to Obedience, we Allow Ourselves to be ...
... a practice of formally bargaining with God on certain conditions, and, as if he
were the servant of their lust, binding him to certain stipulations; with which ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 51 if with minds.htm

Abgar Comes into the East, Maintains Ardaches Upon the Throne of ...
... Abgar prevails on the sons of Archavir to make peace; he arranges between them the
conditions and stipulations: Ardach??s is to reign with his posterity as he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/iii abgar comes into the.htm

On the Lordship or Dominion of God
... not so much "of debt," as from a spontaneous, free and liberal obedience, according
to the nature of confederations which consist of stipulations and promises. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxvii on the lordship.htm

Events at Antioch in Connection with Paulinus and Meletius.
... city. When this was done, a great disturbance arose; but afterwards the
people were brought to unite on the following stipulations. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter v events at antioch in.htm

The Melitians and the Arians Agree in Sentiment; Eusebius and ...
... had been positively condemned by the council of Nice, while the followers of Melitius
had been admitted into communion under the stipulations above stated. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxi the melitians and the.htm

Stipulations (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stipulations (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 6:17
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your ...
/s/stipulations.htm - 7k

Undertake (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's
self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute ...
/u/undertake.htm - 13k

Offices (14 Occurrences)
... Thus the covenant is confirmed and fulfilled by Him who secures that its stipulations
should be carried out, and harmony is restored where before there had ...
/o/offices.htm - 43k

Penalty (20 Occurrences)
... suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant
or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine ...
/p/penalty.htm - 12k

Stint (1 Occurrence)

/s/stint.htm - 7k

Christ (573 Occurrences)
... Thus the covenant is confirmed and fulfilled by Him who secures that its stipulations
should be carried out, and harmony is restored where before there had ...
/c/christ.htm - 101k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... (see DISPENSATION.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A mutual agreement of two
or more persons or parties, or one of the stipulations in such an agreement. ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

Stir (57 Occurrences)

/s/stir.htm - 25k

Hostage
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A person given as a pledge or security for the
performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the ...
/h/hostage.htm - 7k

What is Covenant Theology? | GotQuestions.org

What is the law of retribution? | GotQuestions.org

If the Jewish people do not offer animal sacrifices, how do they believe they can receive forgiveness from God? | GotQuestions.org

Stipulations: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus