Basic HTML Version
ADOPTION
$
(
,
&
, 5206), from
$
, “a son,” and
, “a placing,” akin to
, “to place,” signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it
does not naturally belong. The word is used by the apostle Paul only.
In Rom. 8:15, believers are said to have received “the Spirit of adoption,” that is, the
Holy Spirit who, given as the Firstfruits of all that is to be theirs, produces in them the
realization of sonship and the attitude belonging to sons. In Gal. 4:5 they are said to
receive “the adoption of sons,” i.e., sonship bestowed in distinction from a relationship
consequent merely upon birth; here two contrasts are presented, (1) between the sonship
of the believer and the unoriginated sonship of Christ, (2) between the freedom enjoyed
by the believer and bondage, whether of Gentile natural condition, or of Israel under the
Law. In Eph. 1:5 they are said to have been foreordained unto “adoption as sons” through
Jesus Christ,
RV
; the
KJV
, “adoption of children” is a mistranslation and misleading. God
does not “adopt” believers as children; they are begotten as such by His Holy Spirit
through faith. “Adoption” is a term involving the dignity of the relationship of believers
as sons; it is not a putting into the family by spiritual birth, but a putting into the position
of sons. In Rom. 8:23 the “adoption” of the believer is set forth as still future, as it there
includes the redemption of the body, when the living will be changed and those who have
fallen asleep will be raised. In Rom. 9:4 “adoption” is spoken of as belonging to Israel, in
accordance with the statement in Exod. 4:12, “Israel is My Son.” Cf. Hos. 11:1. Israel
was brought into a special relation with God, a collective relationship, not enjoyed by
other nations, Deut. 14:1; Jer. 31:9, etc.¶
ADORN, ADORNING
A. Verb.
(
!
, 2885), primarily “to arrange, to put in order” (Eng., “cosmetic”), is
used of furnishing a room, Matt. 12:44; Luke 11:25, and of trimming lamps, Matt. 25:7.
Hence, “to adorn, to ornament,” as of garnishing tombs, Matt. 23:29; buildings, Luke
21:5; Rev. 21:19; one’s person, 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:5; Rev. 21:2; metaphorically, of
“adorning a doctrine, Titus 2:10. See
GARNISH
,
TRIM
.¶
B. Noun.
(
, 2889), “a harmonious arrangement or order,” then, “adornment,
decoration,” came to denote “the world, or the universe, as that which is divinely
arranged.” The meaning “adorning” is found in 1 Pet. 3:3. Elsewhere it signifies “the
world.” Cf.
, decent, modest, 1 Tim. 2:9; 3:2. See
WORLD
.
ADULTERER (-ESS), ADULTEROUS, ADULTERY
A. Nouns.
1.
(
, 3432) denotes one “who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse
of another,” Luke 18:11; 1 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 13:4. As to Jas. 4:4, see below.¶
2.
(
&
, 3428), “an adulteress,” is used (a) in the natural sense, 2 Pet.
2:14; Rom. 7:3; (b) in the spiritual sense, Jas. 4:4; here the
RV
rightly omits the word
“adulterers.” It was added by a copyist. As in Israel the breach of their relationship with
God through their idolatry, was described as “adultery” or “harlotry” (e.g., Ezek. 16:15,
etc.; 23:43), so believers who cultivate friendship with the world, thus breaking their