Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5554 status

5554 status

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5554 status

A person's standing in society in the sight of others. The status of individuals in the sight of the world often differs radically from their status in the sight of God, but it is the latter that really matters.

Factors contributing to high social status

High status associated with a position of secular authority

Daniel 2:37-38 See also 2 Samuel 15:1-6; 1 Chronicles 29:26-28

High status based upon a position of domestic authority

Malachi 1:6 See also Psalm 123:2; Luke 17:7-10; 1 Corinthians 11:3

High status owing to recognition of religious authority

Acts 5:34 See also Matthew 23:1-2,8-10; Acts 23:1-5

High status owing to pious conduct

Matthew 23:5-7 pp Mark 12:38-39 pp Luke 20:45-46 See also Matthew 6:2,5,16; Luke 7:4-5

High status based on wealth

Proverbs 19:4 See also 1 Kings 10:4-7 pp 2 Chronicles 9:3-6; Job 1:1-3; James 2:1-4

Factors contributing to low social status

Low status on account of occupation

Matthew 9:11 pp Mark 2:16 pp Luke 5:30 See also Luke 15:1-2; Luke 18:11

Low status through sickness

Leviticus 13:45-46 See also Matthew 20:29-31 pp Mark 10:46-48 pp Luke 18:35-39; Luke 17:12-13

Low status through poverty

Amos 5:11-12 See also Job 24:1-12; Luke 16:20; James 2:1-4

Status in God's kingdom

The reversal of human status

Matthew 5:3-6 pp Luke 6:20-21 See also Matthew 19:13-15 pp Mark 10:13-16 pp Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 19:16-30 pp Mark 10:17-31 pp Luke 18:18-30; Luke 1:52-53; Luke 16:19-26; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Believers must take the lowest status

Matthew 18:1-5 pp Mark 9:33-37 pp Luke 9:46-48 See also Matthew 20:20-28 pp Mark 10:35-45; Luke 14:7-11; John 13:12-15; Philippians 2:3-5

All believers enjoy equal status before God

Galatians 3:28 See also 1 Corinthians 7:22; Corinthians 11:11-12; Phm 15-17; James 1:9-10