In biblical terms, the concept of "scope" can be understood as the range or extent of God's plans, purposes, and actions as revealed in Scripture. The Bible presents a comprehensive view of God's dealings with humanity, encompassing creation, redemption, and the ultimate restoration of all things. This entry explores the scope of God's work as depicted in the Bible, highlighting key themes and passages.

Creation and Sovereignty

The scope of God's creative work is vast, as He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational truth establishes God's sovereignty over all creation. Psalm 24:1 affirms, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." God's creative scope includes not only the physical universe but also the establishment of order and purpose within it.

Redemption and Salvation

The scope of God's redemptive plan is revealed throughout Scripture, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the universal scope of God's love and the offer of salvation to all who believe. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in 1 Timothy 2:4, stating that God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

The Church and Mission

The scope of God's work extends to the establishment and mission of the Church. Jesus commissioned His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, saying, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This Great Commission underscores the global scope of the Church's mission to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.

Eschatology and Restoration

The scope of God's plan includes the ultimate restoration of creation. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth, where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This eschatological vision reflects the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive work, bringing history to its intended fulfillment.

Divine Wisdom and Knowledge

The scope of God's wisdom and knowledge is beyond human comprehension. Romans 11:33 exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This acknowledgment of God's infinite understanding underscores the vastness of His plans and purposes.

Human Responsibility and Response

While God's scope is all-encompassing, human beings are called to respond to His initiatives. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 presents a choice: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. So choose life, that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him." This passage highlights the responsibility of individuals to align themselves with God's purposes.

In summary, the scope of God's work as revealed in the Bible is comprehensive, covering creation, redemption, the mission of the Church, and the ultimate restoration of all things. It reflects God's sovereignty, love, and wisdom, inviting humanity to participate in His divine plan.1. (n.) That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose; intention; drift; object.

2. (n.) Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view, intent, or action.

3. (n.) Extended area.

4. (n.) Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable.

5. (v. t.) To look at for the purpose of evaluation; usually with out; as, to scope out the area as a camping site.

6. (n.) A combining form usually signifying an instrument for viewing (with the eye) or observing (in any way); as in microscope, telescope, altoscope, anemoscope.

4649. skopos -- a watchman, a mark (on which to fix the eye)
... 4649 (the root of the English term, "scope," like the zoom-scope on a rifle to hit
the target) -- properly, the "end-marker" of a foot-race; (figuratively) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4649.htm - 7k

2684. kataskopeo -- to view closely, spy out
... 2684 (from 2596 , ", according to," intensifying 4648 , "look at closely") -- properly,
scope ; (figuratively) looking down on someone with a ; to spy ("check ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2684.htm - 7k

4932. suntemno -- to cut in pieces
... 4932 (from 4862 , "identity " and , "cut, divide") -- properly, cut together with,
which "limits or restricts the scope of" (Souter), ie to make "the shortest ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4932.htm - 7k

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... The scope of the Apocalypse is indicated by its place in the Sacred Canon... The
scope of the Apocalypse is indicated by its place in the Sacred Canon. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... THE SCOPE OF THE APOCALYPSE SHEWN BY ITS STRUCTURE. Having seen the scope
of the Apocalypse as suggested by the place of the book ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the scope of the apocalypse 2.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Place in the Canon
... THE SCOPE OF THE APOCALYPSE SHEWN BY ITS PLACE IN THE CANON. The ... interpretation.
Apart from its true scope, no correct interpretation is possible. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

The Scope and Purpose of the Law's Threatenings; "Perfect ...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 13 [XII.]"The Scope
and Purpose of the Law's Threatenings; "Perfect Wayfarers.". ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 xii the scope and.htm

What is the General Scope of the Fifth Commandment?
... Question 126: What is the general scope of the fifth commandment? Answer: The
general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 126 0 0 what is the.htm

Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
... V."Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings. General. The
writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/v estimate of the scope and.htm

Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry.
... Chapter I."Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry. The principal crime of the
human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter i wide scope of the.htm

Argument: Man Ought Indeed to Know Himself, but this Knowledge ...
... XVII."Argument: Man Ought Indeed to Know Himself, But This Knowledge Cannot Be Attained
by Him Unless He First of All Acknowledges the Entire Scope of Things ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xvii argument man ought indeed.htm

Summary of the Foregoing Books, and Scope of that which Follows.
... Book III. Chapter 1 ."Summary of the Foregoing Books, and Scope of that
Which Follows. I. The man who fears God seeks diligently ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 1 summary of the.htm

Whether There are any Seminal virtues in Corporeal Matter?
... things. But seminal virtues are not causal virtues: for miracles are outside
the scope of seminal virtues, but not of causal virtues. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are any seminal.htm

Scope (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Extended area. 4. (n.) Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable. 5.
(vt ... anemoscope. Multi-Version Concordance Scope (3 Occurrences). 2 ...
/s/scope.htm - 8k

Premillennial
... mi-len'-i-um Divergent Views-Scope of Article I. THE TEACHING OF JESUS The Millennium
Not before the Advent (1) Parable of the Wheat and Tares (2) Parable of ...
/p/premillennial.htm - 23k

Commentaries
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COMMENTARIES. kom'-en-ta-riz: I. THE WORD-GENERAL
SCOPE II. DIFFERENCES IN CHARACTER OF COMMENTARIES III. ...
/c/commentaries.htm - 57k

Millennium
... mi-len'-i-um Divergent Views-Scope of Article I. THE TEACHING OF JESUS The Millennium
Not before the Advent (1) Parable of the Wheat and Tares (2) Parable of ...
/m/millennium.htm - 24k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... The first and foremost thing to be discovered is the scope or the particular
spiritual truth which the parable is intended to convey. ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

Enlarge (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope
to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge ...
/e/enlarge.htm - 14k

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)
... fi-los'-o-fi (philosophia): 1. Definition and Scope (1) Intuitive Philosophy Is
Universal (2) Speculative Philosophy Belongs Mainly to Western Thought 2. Greek ...
/p/philosophy.htm - 27k

Psychology
... si-kol'-o-ji: 1. Introduction: Scope of Biblical Psychology 2. Nature and Origin
of the Soul 3. False Theories 4. Creationism and Traducianism 5. Trichotomy 6 ...
/p/psychology.htm - 38k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... KINGS, BOOKS OF. " I. TITLE II. SCOPE III. CHARACTER OF BOOKS AND POSITION IN
THE HEBREW CANON 1. Purpose 2. Character of Data IV. ... II. Scope. ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

Synoptic
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOSPELS, THE SYNOPTIC. si-nop'-tik: I. INTRODUCTORY
1. Scope of This Article 2. The Gospels in Church Tradition II. ...
/s/synoptic.htm - 38k

What is epistemology? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Mennonites, and what are their beliefs? | GotQuestions.org

What is evangelical theology? | GotQuestions.org

Scope: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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