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The Blue Letter Bible

Dictionaries :: Father

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Below are articles from the following dictionary:
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
A-1 Noun Strong's Number: g3962 Greek: pater

Father:

from a root signifying "a nourisher, protector, upholder" (Lat., pater, Eng., "father," are akin), is used

(a) of the nearest ancestor, e.g., Mat 2:22;

(b) of a more remote ancestor, the progenitor of the people, a "forefather," e.g., Mat 3:9; 23:30; 1Cr 10:1; the patriarchs, 2Pe 3:4;

(c) one advanced in the knowledge of Christ, 1Jo 2:13;

(d) metaphorically, of the originator of a family or company of persons animated by the same spirit as himself, as of Abraham, Rom 4:11, 12, 16, 17, 18, or of Satan, Jhn 8:38, 41, 44;

(e) of one who, as a preacher of the Gospel and a teacher, stands in a "father's" place, caring for his spiritual children, 1Cr 4:15 (not the same as a mere title of honor, which the Lord prohibited, Mat 23:9);

(f) of the members of the Sanhedrin, as of those who exercised religious authority over others, Act 7:2; 22:1;

(g) of God in relation to those who have been born anew (Jhn 1:12, 13), and so are believers, Eph 2:18; 4:6 (cp. 2Cr 6:18), and imitators of their "Father," Mat 5:45, 48; 6:1, 4, 6, 8, 9, etc. Christ never associated Himself with them by using the personal pronoun "our;" He always used the singular, "My Father," His relationship being unoriginated and essential, whereas theirs is by grace and regeneration, e.g., Mat 11:27; 25:34; Jhn 20:17; Rev 2:27; 3:5, 21; so the Apostles spoke of God as the "Father" of the Lord Jesus Christ, e.g., Rom 15:6; 2Cr 1:3; 11:31; Eph 1:3; Hbr 1:5; 1Pe 1:3; Rev 1:6;

(h) of God, as the "Father" of lights, i.e., the Source or Giver of whatsoever provides illumination, physical and spiritual, Jam 1:17; of mercies, 2Cr 1:3; of glory, Eph 1:17;

(i) of God, as Creator, Hbr 12:9 (cp. Zec 12:1).

Note: Whereas the everlasting power and divinity of God are manifest in creation, His "Fatherhood" in spiritual relationship through faith is the subject of NT revelation, and waited for the presence on earth of the Son, Mat 11:27; Jhn 17:25. The spiritual relationship is not universal, Jhn 8:42, 44 (cp. Jhn 1:12; Gal 3:26).

B-1 Adjective Strong's Number: g3971 Greek: patroos

Father:

signifies "of one's fathers," or "received from one's fathers" (akin to A), Act 22:3; 24:14; 28:17. In the Sept. Pro 27:10.

B-2 Adjective Strong's Number: g3967 Greek: patrikos

Father:

"from one's fathers, or ancestors," is said of that which is handed down from one's "forefathers," Gal 1:14.

B-3 Adjective Strong's Number: g540 Greek: apator

Father:

"without father" (a, negative, and pater), signifies, in Hbr 7:3, with no recorded genealogy.

B-4 Adjective Strong's Number: g3970 Greek: patroparadotos

Father:

"handed down from one's fathers" (pater, and paradidomi, "to hand down"), is used in 1Pe 1:18.

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