International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DISCERNINGS OF SPIRITSdi-zurn'-inz, (diakriseis pneumaton, "judicial estimation," "through judgment or separation"): Occurs in 1 Corinthians 12:10 as being one of the gifts of the Spirit. The Greek word occurs in Hebrews 5:14; and Romans 14:1: "But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples." This translation scarcely expresses the meaning, which Thayer has freely rendered, "not for the purpose of passing judgment on opinions, as to which one is to be preferred as the more correct." Taking these three passages together it is evident that the Greek term which is rendered "discerning" means a distinguishing or discriminating between things that are under consideration; hence, the one who possessed the gift of "discernings of spirits" was able to make distinction between the one who spoke by the Spirit of God and the one who was moved by a false spirit. This gift seems to have been exercised chiefly upon those who assumed the role of teachers, and it was especially important in those days, because there were many false teachers abroad (see 2 John 1:7 Acts 20:29, 30). See also SPIRITUAL GIFTS. PRISON, SPIRITS IN The phrase occurs in the much-disputed passage, 1 Peter 3:18-20, where the apostle, exhorting Christians to endurance under suffering for well-doing, says: "Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water." It is plain that in this context "the spirits in prison" (tois en phulake pneumasin) denote the generation who were disobedient in the days of Noah, while the words "spirits" and "in prison" refer to their present disembodied condition in a place of judgment in the unseen world (compare 2 Peter 2:4-9). The crucial point in the passage lies in what is said of Christ's preaching to these spirits in prison. The interpretation which strikes one most naturally is that Christ, put to death in the flesh, and made alive again in the spirit, went in this spiritual (disembodied) state, and preached to these spirits, who once had been disobedient, but are viewed as now possibly receptive of His message This is the idea of the passage taken by the majority of modern exegetes, and it finds support in what is said in 1 Peter 4:6, "For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." On this basis is now often reared a mass of doctrine or conjecture respecting "second probation," "restoration," etc.-in part going back to patristic times-for which the passage, even so taken, affords a very narrow foundation (see on this view, Plumptre, The Spirits in Prison; Dorner, System of Christian Doctrine, IV, 130-32; E. White, Life in Christ, chapter xxii). It must be admitted, however, that, on closer examination, the above plausible explanation is compassed with many difficulties. A preaching of Christ in Hades is referred to in no other passage of Scripture, while Peter appears to be speaking to his readers of something with which they are familiar; it seems strange that these antediluvians should be singled out as the sole objects of this preaching in the spiritual world; the word "made alive" does not exegetically refer to a disembodied state, but to the resurrection of Christ in the body, etc. Another line of interpretation is therefore preferred by many, who take the words "in which also he went," to refer, not to a disembodied manifestation, but to the historical preaching to the antediluvian generation through Noah while they yet lived. In favor of this view is the fact that the apostle in 1 Peter 1:11 regards the earlier prophetic preaching as a testifying of "the Spirit of Christ," that God's long-suffering with Noah's generation is described in Genesis 6:5, which Peter has doubtless in his mind, as a striving of God's Spirit, and that in 2 Peter 2:5 there is another allusion to these events, and Noah is described as "a preacher of righteousness." The passage, 1 Peter 4:6, may have the more general meaning that Christians who have died are at no disadvantage in the judgment as compared with those who shall be alive at the Parousia (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). (For an exposition of this view, with a full account of the interpretations and literature on the subject, compare Salmond's Christian Doctrine of Immortality, 4th edition, 364-87.) SPIRITS, DISCERNINGS OF See DISCERNINGS OF SPIRITS; SPIRITUAL GIFTS. SPIRITS IN PRISON See PRISON, SPIRITS IN. Greek 86. hades -- Hades, the abode of departed spirits ... Hades, the abode of departed spirits. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hades Phonetic Spelling: (hah'-dace) Short Definition: Hades Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/86.htm - 7k 4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet) ... 2709. katachthonios -- under the earth 5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet 145. aistheterion -- organ of perception 2115. euthumos -- of good cheer 954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan 2174. eupsucheo -- to be of good courage 3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble 2114. euthumeo -- to be of good cheer Strong's Hebrew 7496. rapha -- shades, ghosts... 7495, 7496. rapha. 7497 . shades, ghosts. Transliteration: rapha Phonetic Spelling: (raw-faw') Short Definition: spirits. Word Origin ... /hebrew/7496.htm - 6k 3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart 7307. ruach -- breath, wind, spirit 8424. tugah -- grief Library The Unclean Spirits. The Success of the Spirits. Agency of Evil Spirits. Good or Bad Spirits? November the Eighteenth Exhilarant Spirits The Corruption of Rational Spirits is on the one Hand Voluntary ... Agency of Evil Spirits Subjection to the Father of Spirits. Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two Spirits Attendant on ... The Two Kinds of Spirits. Thesaurus Spirits (129 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DISCERNINGS OF SPIRITS. di-zurn ... 30). See also SPIRITUAL GIFTS. AW Fortune. PRISON, SPIRITS IN. The ... /s/spirits.htm - 42k Sends (94 Occurrences) Wizards (10 Occurrences) Mediums (10 Occurrences) Driving (144 Occurrences) Foul (41 Occurrences) Spiritists (8 Occurrences) Familiar (35 Occurrences) Discernings (1 Occurrence) Divined (6 Occurrences) Bible Concordance Spirits (129 Occurrences)Matthew 4:24 And news of him went out through all Syria; and they took to him all who were ill with different diseases and pains, those having evil spirits and those who were off their heads, and those who had no power of moving. And he made them well. Matthew 7:22 A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power? Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; Matthew 8:28 And when he had come to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, there came out to him from the place of the dead, two who had evil spirits, so violent that no man was able to go that way. Matthew 8:31 And the evil spirits made strong prayers to him, saying, If you send us out, let us go into the herd of pigs. Matthew 8:33 And their keepers went in flight to the town and gave an account of everything, and of the men who had the evil spirits. Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, By the ruler of evil spirits, he sends evil spirits out of men. Matthew 10:1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. Matthew 10:8 Make well those who are ill, give life to the dead, make lepers clean, send evil spirits out of men; freely it has been given to you, freely give. Matthew 12:24 But the Pharisees, hearing of it, said, This man only sends evil spirits out of men by Beelzebub, the ruler of evil spirits. Matthew 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub send evil spirits out of men, by whom do your sons send them out? So let them be your judges. Matthew 12:28 But if I by the Spirit of God send out evil spirits, then is the kingdom of God come on you. Matthew 12:45 Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation." Mark 1:27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!" Mark 1:32 And in the evening, at sundown, they took to him all who were diseased, and those who had evil spirits. Mark 1:34 And a number, who were ill with different diseases, he made well, and sent out evil spirits; but he did not let the evil spirits say anything, because they had knowledge of him. Mark 1:39 And he went into their Synagogues in every part of Galilee, preaching and driving out evil spirits. Mark 3:11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, "You are the Son of God!" Mark 3:15 And give them the power of driving out evil spirits: Mark 3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem, said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the ruler of evil spirits he sends evil spirits out of men. Mark 5:13 At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea. Mark 5:15 And they came to Jesus, and saw the man in whom had been the evil spirits seated, clothed and with full use of his senses, and they were full of fear. Mark 5:16 And those who had seen it gave them an account of what had been done to him who had the evil spirits, and of the fate of the pigs. Mark 5:18 And when he was getting into the boat, the man in whom had been the evil spirits had a great desire to come with him. Mark 6:7 He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. Mark 6:13 And they sent out a number of evil spirits, and put oil on a great number who were ill, and made them well. Mark 9:38 John said to him, Master, we saw one driving out evil spirits in your name: and we said that he might not, because he is not one of us. Mark 16:9 Now when he came back from the dead early on the first day of the week, he went first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had sent out seven evil spirits. Mark 16:17 And these signs will be with those who have faith: in my name they will send out evil spirits; and they will make use of new languages; Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a great band of spirits from heaven, giving praise to God, and saying, Luke 4:36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" Luke 4:41 And evil spirits came out of a number of them, crying out and saying, You are the Son of God. But he gave them sharp orders not to say a word, because they had knowledge that he was the Christ. Luke 6:18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed. Luke 7:21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Luke 8:27 And when he had come to the land, there came to him a certain man from the town who had evil spirits; and for a long time he had had no clothing on, and was not living in a house but in the place of the dead. Luke 8:30 And Jesus said to him, What is your name? And he said, Legion; for a number of spirits had gone into him. Luke 8:32 Now there was a great herd of pigs in that place, getting food on the mountain: and the evil spirits made a request to him that he would let them go into the pigs, and he let them. Luke 8:33 And the evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs: and the herd went rushing down a sharp slope into the water and came to destruction. Luke 8:35 And they went out to see what had taken place, and they came to Jesus and saw the man out of whom the evil spirits had gone, seated, clothed and with full use of his senses, at the feet of Jesus; and fear came on them. Luke 8:36 And those who had seen it gave them an account of how the man who had the evil spirits was made well. Luke 8:38 But the man from whom the evil spirits had gone out had a great desire to be with him, but he sent him away, saying, Luke 9:1 And getting the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all evil spirits and over diseases, to make them well. Luke 9:49 And John, answering, said, Master, we saw a man driving out evil spirits in your name, and we did not let him do it, because he was not one of us. Luke 10:17 And the seventy came back with joy, saying, Lord, even the evil spirits are under our power in your name. Luke 10:20 Nevertheless, don't rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He sends out evil spirits by Beelzebul, the ruler of evil spirits. Luke 11:18 If, then, Satan is at war with himself, how will he keep his kingdom? because you say that I send evil spirits out of men by the help of Beelzebul. Luke 11:19 And if I, by Beelzebul, send out evil spirits, by whose help do your sons send them out? so let them be your judges. Luke 11:20 But if I, by the finger of God, send out evil spirits, then the kingdom of God has overtaken you. Luke 11:26 Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first." Luke 13:32 And he said, Go and say to that fox, I send out evil spirits and do works of mercy today and tomorrow, and on the third day my work will be complete. Acts 5:16 Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed. Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. Acts 10:38 About Jesus of Nazareth, how God gave the Holy Spirit to him, with power: and how he went about doing good and making well all who were troubled by evil spirits, for God was with him. Acts 19:12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out. Acts 19:13 But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no coming back from the dead, and no angels or spirits: but the Pharisees have belief in all these. Acts 27:36 This raised the spirits of all, and they too took food. Romans 8:10 and if Christ 'is' in you, the body, indeed, 'is' dead because of sin, and the Spirit 'is' life because of righteousness, Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness, along with our own spirits, to the fact that we are children of God; 1 Corinthians 10:20 What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to evil spirits and not to God; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with evil spirits. 1 Corinthians 10:21 It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits. 1 Corinthians 12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Thus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly. 1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 2 Corinthians 5:3 So that our spirits may not be unclothed. Galatians 4:3 So we also, when spiritually we were children, were subject to the world's rudimentary notions, and were enslaved. Galatians 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? Galatians 6:18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits, brethren. Amen. Ephesians 2:2 which were once habitual to you while you walked in the ways of this world and obeyed the Prince of the powers of the air, the spirits that are now at work in the hearts of the sons of disobedience--to you God has given Life. Philippians 4:23 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Colossians 2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy; and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Hebrews 1:14 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, James 2:19 You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder." James 3:15 That is not the wisdom which comes down from above: it belongs to earth, to the unspiritual nature, and to evil spirits. James 5:13 Is one of you suffering? Let him pray. Is any one in good spirits? Let him sing a psalm. 1 Peter 3:19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 1 John 4:1 Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: "He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Revelation 5:6 I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the people, who were not put to death by these evils, were not turned from the works of their hands, but went on giving worship to evil spirits, and images of gold and silver and brass and stone and wood which have no power of seeing or hearing or walking: Revelation 16:13 I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs; Revelation 16:14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty. Revelation 18:2 And he gave a loud cry, saying, Babylon the great has come down from her high place, she has come to destruction and has become a place of evil spirits, and of every unclean spirit, and a hole for every unclean and hated bird. Revelation 22:6 He said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon." Genesis 26:35 They grieved Isaac's and Rebekah's spirits. Leviticus 17:7 And let them make no more offerings to evil spirits, after which they have gone, turning away from the Lord. Let this be a law to them for ever, through all their generations. Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Leviticus 20:27 Any man or woman who makes use of spirits, or who is a wonder-worker, is to be put to death: they are to be stoned with stones: their blood will be on them. Numbers 16:22 They fell on their faces, and said, "God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?" Subtopics Related Terms Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences) Demon-possessed (16 Occurrences) Broken-hearted (5 Occurrences) Links Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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