In the context of biblical theology, the concept of "limited" can be explored through various themes and narratives that illustrate the boundaries set by God, the limitations of human understanding, and the constraints of earthly existence. The Bible provides numerous examples where limitations serve as a means to demonstrate God's sovereignty, human dependency, and the need for divine intervention.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Limitations

The Bible frequently emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the limitations of human beings. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage highlights the vast difference between God's infinite wisdom and human understanding, underscoring the limitations inherent in human reasoning.

The Fall and Human Limitation

The narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3 illustrates the introduction of limitations as a consequence of sin. Adam and Eve's disobedience resulted in a fractured relationship with God and the imposition of physical and spiritual limitations. Genesis 3:19 states, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This curse signifies the mortality and toil that now define human existence, marking a clear boundary between the divine and the human.

The Law as a Limitation

The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, serves as a boundary that reveals human limitations in achieving righteousness through works. Romans 3:20 explains, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The law acts as a mirror, reflecting human sinfulness and the need for a Savior, thus pointing to the limitations of human effort in attaining salvation.

Limited Understanding and Faith

The New Testament further explores the theme of limited human understanding and the necessity of faith. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 , Paul writes, "For now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." This passage acknowledges the partial and incomplete nature of human knowledge in this life, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect plan and timing.

The Limitation of Time

The Bible also addresses the limitation of time, urging believers to live wisely and purposefully. Psalm 90:12 petitions, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This verse reminds individuals of the brevity of life and the importance of seeking God's wisdom to make the most of the time allotted to them.

God's Power in Human Weakness

Paradoxically, the Bible teaches that human limitations can become opportunities for God's power to be displayed. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts God's response to his plea for relief from a "thorn in the flesh": "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" This principle reveals that human limitations can lead to a deeper reliance on God's strength and grace.

Conclusion

The concept of "limited" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the boundaries set by God, the constraints of human existence, and the need for divine intervention. Through acknowledging these limitations, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, seek His wisdom, and rely on His strength.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Limit.

2. (a.) Confined within limits; narrow; circumscribed; restricted; as, our views of nature are very limited.

5610. hora -- a time or period, an hour
... 5610 -- properly, an ; (figuratively) a "season"; time or opportunity to reach a
goal (fulfill a purpose); a time-period; a limited period to accomplish the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5610.htm - 7k

2357. threskos of unc. or. -- religious.
... Short Definition: religious Definition: (refers probably to a careful observance
of religious restrictions), religious (probably in a limited sense), devout. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2357.htm - 6k

5598. O -- the last letter of the Gr. alphabet
... In the NT, 5598 ("") is always used of the glorified Christ (Rev 1:8, 21;6, 22:13),
referring to His absolute to meet all the needs of finite (limited) people. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5598.htm - 7k

5486. charisma -- a gift of grace, a free gift
... ie to the Church to . [5486 (but not limited to) "." (the form) literally
means "grace-."]. Word Origin from charizomai Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5486.htm - 7k

5564. chorion -- a place, property
... 5564 (the grammatical diminutive of 5561 , "a field") -- a limited , a of a larger
area; a confined piece of ground; "a definite portion of space that is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5564.htm - 7k

4340. proskairos -- in season, ie temporary
... 4340 -- (an adjective, derived from 4314 , "motion towards, with" and 2540 , "a
season") -- properly, a limited time of opportunity; fleeting, temporary ("only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4340.htm - 7k

3358. metron -- a measure
... measure. An apparently primary word; a measure ("metre"), literally or figuratively;
by implication, a limited portion (degree) -- measure. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3358.htm - 7k

5117. topos -- a place
... Apparently a primary word; a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas
chora is a large but participle locality), ie Location (as a position ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5117.htm - 7k

2098. euaggelion -- good news
... Cognate: 2098 -- -- literally, "God's ." See 2097 (). The Gospel (2098 ) includes
the entire Bible, ie it is limited to how a person becomes a Christian. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2098.htm - 7k

3941. paroikos -- dwelling near, foreign
... close beside" and 3624 , "house") -- properly, someone living close to others as
a dweller, ie in a specific locale as a with limited rights (identification). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3941.htm - 7k

6862a. tsar -- narrow, tight
... 6862, 6862a. tsar. 6862b . narrow, tight. Transliteration: tsar Short
Definition: limited. Word Origin from tsarar Definition narrow ...
/hebrew/6862a.htm - 5k

5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... NASB Word Usage able* (1), afford* (2), attained (1), becomes sufficient (1), caught
(1), find (1), insufficient (2), last until (2), limited (1), means* (1 ...
/hebrew/5381.htm - 6k

7114a. qatsar -- to be short
... root Definition to be short NASB Word Usage annoyed (1), became impatient (1), could
bear (1), impatient (3), limited (1), no longer (1), short (3), shortened ...
/hebrew/7114a.htm - 5k

April the Twenty-Fourth Limited Forgiveness
... APRIL The Twenty-fourth LIMITED FORGIVENESS. LUKE xvii.3-10. We are always
inclined to set a limit to our moral obligations. We wish ...
/.../april the twenty-fourth limited forgiveness.htm

Idolatry in Its More Limited Sense. Its Copiousness.
... Chapter II."Idolatry in Its More Limited Sense. Its Copiousness. But let
the universal names of crimes withdraw to the specialities ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter ii idolatry in its more.htm

Abstract of Contents.
... character 9 ,, ,, , must be authenticated to original recipients 10 ,, ,, , cannot
convey a perfect knowledge of God 12 ,, ,, , must be limited by the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/jerram/thoughts on a revelation/abstract of contents.htm

Old and New Terminology.
... The word "regeneration" isused in a limited sense, and in a more extended
sense. It is used in the limited sense when it denotes ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix old and new terminology.htm

Fifth Proposition of Arminius
... Nor is there any reason why it should be said that the freedom of God, in the act
of predestination, is limited though the circumstance of sin may be stated to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/fifth proposition of arminius.htm

Native Christians.
... They have the peculiarities of hereditary Christians exposed to a corrupting moral
atmosphere, and possessing limited means of spiritual improvement. ...
/.../chapter xxvi native christians.htm

Intercession is Service.
... In all other service we are constantly limited by space, bodily strength, equipment,
material obstacles, difficulties involved in the peculiar differences of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/intercession is service.htm

Prayer is Projecting One's Spirit Personality.
... spirit beings. An unembodied spirit being is not limited by space as we
embodied folk are. It can go as swiftly as we can think. If ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/prayer is projecting ones spirit.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Men of Science.
... In the first theory of life a man's life is limited to his one individuality; the
aim of life is the satisfaction of the will of this individuality. ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iv christianity misunderstood by.htm

God's Glory in Hiding Sin
... It is certain that such an explanation as this would have to be taken in a limited
sense, for it cannot absolutely and without qualification be the glory of ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/gods glory in hiding sin.htm

Limited (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Limit. 2. (a.) Confined within limits; narrow; circumscribed;
restricted; as, our views of nature are very limited. ...Limited (5 Occurrences). ...
/l/limited.htm - 7k

Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) of little extent; very limited; circumscribed. ... 4. (superl.) Limited
as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances. ...
/n/narrow.htm - 14k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region; as,
a limiting friar. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LIMIT. ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

Short (128 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted;
as, short breath. 3. (superl.) Limited in quantity ...
/s/short.htm - 37k

Satan (50 Occurrences)
... GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Scripture Doctrine of Satan Not Systematized 2. Satan
and God 3. Satan Essentially Limited 4. Conclusions LITERATURE I. Definition. ...
/s/satan.htm - 53k

Wife (437 Occurrences)
... While the law limited the matrimonial duty to the brother and permitted him to decline
to marry the widow, such a course was attended by public disgrace ...
/w/wife.htm - 42k

Term (4 Occurrences)
... bound; boundary. 2. (n.) The time for which anything lasts; any limited time;
as, a term of five years; the term of life. 3. (n.) In ...
/t/term.htm - 9k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... Not limited to abstinence, it is rather the power and decision to abstain with
reference to some fixed end, and the use of the impulses of physical, as ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

Temperance (3 Occurrences)
... Not limited to abstinence, it is rather the power and decision to abstain with
reference to some fixed end, and the use of the impulses of physical, as ...
/t/temperance.htm - 12k

Provocation (20 Occurrences)
... 17), "to rebel against"; for "provoked" (2 Corinthians 9:2), "stirred up"; "provoked
within" for "stirred in" (Acts 17:16); "provoked" for "limited" (Psalm 78 ...
/p/provocation.htm - 15k

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