Bible Dictionary: Earthly

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal; worldly; as, earthly joys; earthly flowers; earthly praise.

2. (a.) of all things on earth; possible; conceivable.

3. (a.) Made of earth; earthy.

4. (adv.) In the manner of the earth or its people; worldly.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

EARTHLY

urth'-li (epigeios, "existing upon the earth," "terrestrial," from epi, "upon" and ge, "earth"; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) terrenus):

Of or pertaining to the earth, or to the present state of existence. The word epigeios is not found in Septuagint, but occurs in classical Greek from Plato down. In Plutarch Mor. 566 D, it occurs in the remarkable phrase, "that which is earthly of the soul."

Its meaning is primarily merely local ("being on the earth"). The word ge ("earth") has not in itself an ethical significance, and does not carry a suggestion of moral taint, such as the word kosmos ("world") has, especially in the Johannine writings, and sarx ("flesh"), especially in Paul. It does, however, suggest a certain limitation or frailty; and in some passages, the context gives the adjective epigeios an ethical color, though in the New Testament the purely local meaning is never lost sight of. It is translated "earthly" in the following passages:

(1) John 3:12, "if I told you earthly things," i.e. things which are realized on earth, things within the circle of human observation, truths of subjective experience (eg. the new birth); in contrast to "heavenly things," the objective truths which, as not directly realizable in human experience, must be revealed from above (the mysteries of the Divine purpose and plans). Clearly "earthly" here implies no moral contrast to the heavenly or spiritual.

(2) 2 Corinthians 5:1, "the earthly house of our tabernacle," i.e. the body with which we are clothed on earth, in contrast to the spiritual resurrection-body, "which is from heaven" (verse 2). Here again the word has a merely local, not an ethical, significance.

(3) Philippians 3:19, "whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things," i.e. whose thoughts rest on earth, on the pleasures of life here below.

(4) James 3:15, "This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly," i.e. it is on the plane of life on earth, merely human, incapable of ascending to the level of Divine wisdom. In the last two passages, the literal local meaning is still evident, but the word shades off into the moral and suggests that which is opposed to the spiritual in character. The same word is translated "terrestrial" in 1 Corinthians 15:40, and "things in (the Revised Version (British and American) "on") earth" in Philippians 2:10 the King James Version has "earthly" in John 3:31, where it translates ek tes ges = literally, "out of the earth," the reference being to the character and mission of the Baptist as partaking of the limitations of his earthly (human) origin, in contrast to the Messiah "that cometh from heaven." The the King James Version rendering is somewhat misleading, for it introduces a confusion with the "earthly" of John 3:12 (see Westcott in the place cited.). The Revised Version (British and American) rightly renders "of the earth."

"Earthly" is to be distinguished from "earthy" = made of earth or clay (choikos, from chous, "earth dug out," 1 Corinthians 15:47).

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

1919. epigeios -- of the earth
... of the earth. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epigeios Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ig'-i-os) Short Definition: earthly Definition: (a) on the earth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1919.htm - 7k

2886. kosmikos -- pertaining to the world
... pertaining to the world. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kosmikos Phonetic
Spelling: (kos-mee-kos') Short Definition: earthly, worldly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2886.htm - 7k

5517. choikos -- earthy, made of dust
... 5517 (an adjective, derived from , "made of earth, dust") -- properly, , (made of
dust); (figuratively) , passing away; transient, "earthly." All four ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5517.htm - 7k

5218. hupakoe -- obedience
... response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the
Lord's voice (see 2 Cor 10:5; 1 Pet 1:2). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5218.htm - 7k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... 4976 ("outward, visible form") is used of Jesus' earthly body (Phil 2:7,8). Christ
incarnated into a body, which was not an "exact match with typical humanity ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... word Definition flesh NASB Word Usage bodily (1), bodily condition (1), body (2),
earth (1), earthly (1), fellow countrymen (1), flesh (129), fleshly (4), life ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... 4434 (from , "to crouch or cower like a beggar") -- properly, bent over; (figuratively)
, completely lacking resources (earthly wealth) -- ie . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

1093. ge -- the earth, land
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition the earth, land NASB Word Usage country (2),
earth (165), earthly (1), ground (20), land (46), soil (16). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1093.htm - 7k

4559. sarkikos -- pertaining to the flesh, carnal
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sarkikos Phonetic Spelling:
(sar-kee-kos') Short Definition: fleshly, carnal Definition: fleshly, carnal, earthly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4559.htm - 7k

5051. teleiotes -- a completer, finisher
... In every scene of His earthly life, Jesus lived in faith, ie receiving and
perfectly obeying the inbirthing of the Father's will (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5051.htm - 7k

Library

Earthly Prospects Deceitful.
... I. SEASONS NEW-YEAR'S HYMNS. Hymn 6 Earthly prospects deceitful. John Newton
7,7,7,7. Earthly prospects deceitful. Oft in vain the voice of truth,. ...
/.../newton/olney hymns/hymn 6 earthly prospects deceitful.htm

The Image of the Earthly and the Heavenly
... SERMON X. THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHLY AND THE HEAVENLY. Eversley, Easter Day,
1871. 1 Corinthians 15:49. "As we have borne the image ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon x the image of.htm

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... THE HEAVENLY WORKERS AND THE EARTHLY WATCHERS. 'For Zion's sake will I not
hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest ... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

The Heavenly Pathway and the Earthly Heart
... GENESIS THE HEAVENLY PATHWAY AND THE EARTHLY HEART. 'And Jacob went out
from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the heavenly pathway and the.htm

The Sabbath and the Earthly Temple.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 62. " The Sabbath and the Earthly Temple.
62. CPM Merrick. The Sabbath and the Earthly Temple. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/62 the sabbath and.htm

The Earthly Body. December 19.
... The Earthly Body. December 19. Let us remember that if the body does feel
a burden now (as it must at moments), what a happiness ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the earthly body december 19.htm

Of Earthly Bodies, which the Philosophers Affirm Cannot be in ...
... Chapter 18."Of Earthly Bodies, Which the Philosophers Affirm Cannot Be in Heavenly
Places, Because Whatever is of Earth is by Its Natural Weight Attracted to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 of earthly bodies which.htm

Problems About Heavenly and Earthly Divisions of the Church
... CHAPTER XVI. Problems About Heavenly and Earthly Divisions of the Church.
60. It is more important to be able to discern and tell ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xvi problems about heavenly.htm

Providence in Earthly Things.
... Book VIII. Chapter XXIII."Providence in Earthly Things. "But what of those
things also which we see on the earth, or in the sea? ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxiii providence in earthly things.htm

The Forty-First Chapter: Contempt for all Earthly Honor
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Forty-First Chapter: Contempt for All
Earthly Honor. The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, do not take ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the forty-first chapter contempt for.htm

Thesaurus

Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... a.) Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the
earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal; worldly; as, earthly joys; earthly...
/e/earthly.htm - 22k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... Romans 7:5 For whilst we were under the thraldom of our earthly natures, sinful
passions-- made sinful by the Law--were always being aroused to action in our ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Cravings (17 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:14 On the contrary, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for gratifying your earthly cravings. (WEY). ...
/c/cravings.htm - 11k

Heavenly (51 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Pertaining to, resembling, or inhabiting heaven;
celestial; not earthly; as, heavenly regions; heavenly music. ...
/h/heavenly.htm - 22k

Last (1087 Occurrences)
... The first unequivocal assertion would appear to be in Enoch 91:17, where the final
state is contrasted with a preceding reign of earthly happiness. ...
/l/last.htm - 18k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... several parts, the Ka, the Ba, etc., which survived death; often the surviving self
is simply a ghostly resemblance of the earthly self, nourished with food ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... several parts, the Ka, the Ba, etc., which survived death; often the surviving self
is simply a ghostly resemblance of the earthly self, nourished with food ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Slaves (119 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager
anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ ...
/s/slaves.htm - 34k

Devoted (72 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:9 You, however, are not devoted to earthly, but to spiritual things, if
the Spirit of God is really dwelling in you; whereas if any man has not the ...
/d/devoted.htm - 29k

Distinctions (15 Occurrences)
... For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and
that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him. (WEY). ...
/d/distinctions.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance

Earthly (39 Occurrences)

John 3:12 If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 20:24 But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme importance, the Good News of God's grace.
(WEY)

Romans 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our earthly forefather, has gained?
(WEY)

Romans 7:5 For whilst we were under the thraldom of our earthly natures, sinful passions-- made sinful by the Law--were always being aroused to action in our bodily faculties that they might yield fruit to death.
(WEY)

Romans 8:4 in order that in our case the requirements of the Law might be fully met. For our lives are regulated not by our earthly, but by our spiritual natures.
(WEY)

Romans 8:5 For if men are controlled by their earthly natures, they give their minds to earthly things. If they are controlled by their spiritual natures, they give their minds to spiritual things.
(WEY)

Romans 8:6 Because for the mind to be given up to earthly things means death; but for it to be given up to spiritual things means Life and peace.
(WEY)

Romans 8:7 Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a mind does not submit to God's Law, and indeed cannot do so.
(WEY)

Romans 8:8 And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God.
(WEY)

Romans 8:9 You, however, are not devoted to earthly, but to spiritual things, if the Spirit of God is really dwelling in you; whereas if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, such a one does not belong to Him.
(WEY)

Romans 13:14 On the contrary, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for gratifying your earthly cravings.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 2:1 And as for myself, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with surpassing power of eloquence or earthly wisdom that I came, announcing to you that which God had commanded me to bear witness to.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not adorned with persuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended upon truths which the Spirit taught and mightily carried home;
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 15:40 There are bodies which are celestial and there are bodies which are earthly, but the glory of the celestial ones is one thing, and that of the earthly ones is another.
(WEY DBY YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 15:49 and, according as we did bear the image of the earthy, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly.
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
(See RSV)

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
(See RSV)

Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ.
(WEY RSV NIV)

Ephesians 6:9 And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him.
(WEY)

Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly and earthly and infernal beings,
(DBY)

Philippians 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 3:2 the things above mind ye, not the things upon the earth,
(See NIV)

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, then, your members that 'are' upon the earth -- whoredom, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry --
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, be obedient in everything to your earthly masters; not in acts of eye service, as aiming only to please men, but with simplicity of purpose, because you fear the Lord.
(WEY RSV NIV)

Colossians 3:25 The man who perpetrates a wrong will find the wrong repaid to him; and with God there are no merely earthly distinctions.
(WEY)

Hebrews 5:7 For Jesus during his earthly life offered up prayers and entreaties, crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank.
(WEY)

Hebrews 9:1 Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 10:20 by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us through the rending of the veil--that is to say, of His earthly nature--
(WEY)

Hebrews 12:9 Besides this, our earthly fathers used to discipline us and we treated them with respect, and shall we not be still more submissive to the Father of our spirits, and live?
(WEY NAS RSV)

James 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 4:2 that in future you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions, but by the will of God.
(WEY NIV)

2 Peter 1:4 It is by means of these that He has granted us His precious and wondrous promises, in order that through them you may, one and all, become sharers in the very nature of God, having completely escaped the corruption which exists in the world through earthly cravings.
(WEY)

2 Peter 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;
(See NAS)

2 Peter 1:14 For I am conscious that in a short time I will have to put off this tent of flesh, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
(See NAS)

2 Peter 2:18 For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are just escaping from the influence of those who live in error.
(WEY)

1 John 2:16 For the things in the world--the cravings of the earthly nature, the cravings of the eyes, the show and pride of life--they all come, not from the Father, but from the world.
(WEY)

Revelation 9:3 And from the midst of the smoke there came locusts on to the earth, and power was given to them resembling the power which earthly scorpions possess.
(WEY)

Subtopics

Earthly

Related Terms

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Cravings (17 Occurrences)

Heavenly (51 Occurrences)

Last (1087 Occurrences)

Immortal (3 Occurrences)

Immortality (6 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Devoted (72 Occurrences)

Distinctions (15 Occurrences)