Reference: Adoption
American
Is an act by which a person takes a stranger into his family, acknowledges him for his child, and constitutes him heir of his estate. Jacob's adoption of his two grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, Ge 48:5, was a kind of substitution, whereby he intended that these his grandson should have each his lot in Israel, as if they had been his own sons: "Ephraim and Manasseh are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine." As he give no inheritance to their father Joseph, the effect of this adoption was simply the doubling of their inheritance.
But Scripture afford instances of another kind of adoption-that of a father having a daughter only, and adopting her children. Thus, 1Ch 2:21, Machir, grandson of Joseph, and father of Gilead, Nu 26:29, gave his daughter to Hezron, "who took her; and was a son of sixty years," sixty years of age, "and she bare hi Segub; and Segub begat Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead," Jos 13:30; 1Ki 4:13. However, as well he as his posterity, instead of being reckoned to the family of Judah, as they would have been by their paternal descent from Hezron, is reckoned as sons of Machir, the father of Gilead. Nay, more, it appears, Nu 32:41, that this Jair, who was in fact the son of Segub, the son of Segub, the son of Hezron, the son of Judah, is expressly called "Jair, the son of Manasseh," because his maternal great-grandfather was Machir to the son of Manasseh. In like manner we read that Mordecai adopted Esther, his niece; he took her to himself to be a daughter, Es 2:7. So the daughter of Pharaoh adopted Moses; and he became her son, Ex 2:10. So we read, Ru 4:17, that Naomi had a son-a son is born to Naomi; when indeed it was the son of Ruth.
At the present day, adoption is not uncommon in the East, where it is made before a public officer with legal forms.
In the New Testament, adoption denotes that act of God's free grace by which, on being justified through faith, we are received into the family of God, and made heirs of the inheritance of heaven. It is "in Christ," and through his atoning merits, that believers "receive the adoption of sons," Ga 4:4-5. Some of the privileges of this state are, deliverance from a fearful and servile spirit; the special love and care of our heavenly Father; conformity to his image; a filial confidence in him; free access to him at all times; the witness of the Holy Spirit, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father;" and the title to our heavenly home,
See Verses Found in Dictionary
For so many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. read more. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, indeed heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, in order that we may also be glorified together.
as he elected us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his presence. in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Easton
the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth.
(1.) Natural. Thus Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses (Ex 2:10), and Mordecai Esther (Es 2:7).
(2.) National. God adopted Israel (Ex 4:22; De 7:6; Ho 11:1; Ro 9:4).
(3.) Spiritual. An act of God's grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God's peculiar love (Joh 17:23; Ro 5:5-8), a spiritual nature (2Pe 1:4; Joh 1:13), the possession of a spirit becoming children of God (1Pe 1:14; 2Jo 1:13; Ro 8:15-21; Ga 5:1; Heb 2:15), present protection, consolation, supplies (Lu 12:27-32; Joh 14:18; 1Co 3:21-23; 2Co 1:4), fatherly chastisements (Heb 12:5-11), and a future glorious inheritance (Ro 8:17,23; Jas 2:5; Php 3:21).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Observe the lilies, how they toil not, neither do they spin: and I say unto you, That Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. And if God so clothes the verdure flourishing in the fields to-day, and to-morrow cast into the oven; how much more are you, O ye of little faith? read more. And do not seek what you may eat, and what you may drink, and with what you are clothed; for the heathens of the world are seeking after all these things: but your Father knows that you have need of these things. Moreover seek His kingdom and these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.
who were born not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
I will not leave you orphans: I am coming to you.
I in them, and thou in me, in order that they may be perfected into one; in order that the world may know that thou didst send me, and didst love them, as thou didst love me.
and hope makes not ashamed; because the divine love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who has been given unto us. For we being yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly: read more. for scarcely will one die for a righteous man; for perhaps some one even dares to die for a good man. And God commends his love to us, because, we being yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God. read more. And if children, indeed heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, in order that we may also be glorified together.
And if children, indeed heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, in order that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of these present times are not worthy to be compared to the glory which is about to be revealed in us. read more. For the earnest expectation of the creature awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature has been subordinated to mortality, not willingly, but through Him who subordinated it; therefore indeed pursuant to hope, the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
Christ has set you free with freedom, Therefore stand, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage.
who will transform the body of our humility, similitudinous to the body of his own glory, according to the energy by which he is able indeed to subdue all things to himself.
having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the divine love which you have toward all the saints.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, in order that they may not be discouraged. Ye servants, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, pleasing men, but of purity of heart, fearing the Lord. read more. Whatsoever you may do, work from your soul, as for the Lord, and not for men;
and might reconcile them whosoever were subject to bondage all their life through the fear of death.
and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art proven of him: for whom the Lord loves he chastises, and scourges every son whom he receives. read more. Endure unto chastisement; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father does not chastise? And if you are without chastisement, of which all have been partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Then indeed, we had fathers of our flesh who chastised us, and we endured: how much more then shall we submit to the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed for a few days were accustomed to chastise us according to that which seemed right to them; but he made unto our profit, in order that we might partake his holiness. Indeed no chastisement for the present seems to be truly joyful, but sorrowful: but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who have been disciplined by it.
Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love?
As children of obedience, not being fashioned after your former lusts in ignorance:
through which precious and greatest promises have been given unto us; that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Fausets
The taking of one as a son who is not so by birth.
(I.) Natural: As Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses; Mordecai Esther; Abraham Eliezer (as a slave is often in the East adopted as son) (Ge 15:2-3); Sarai the son to be born by Hagar, whom she gave to her husband; Leah and Rachel the children to be born of Zilpah and Bilhah, their handmaids respectively, whom they gave to Jacob their husband. The handmaid at the birth brought forth the child on the knees of the adoptive mother (Ge 30:3); an act representative of the complete appropriation of the sons as equal in rights to those by the legitimate wife. Jacob adopted as his own Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, on the same footing as Reuben and Simeon, his two elder sons (Ge 48:5). Thereby he was able to give Joseph his favorite son more than his single share, with his brothers, of the paternal heritage. The tribes thus were 13, only that Levi had no land division; or Ephraim and Manasseh were regarded as two halves making up but one whole tribe.
In 1 Chronicles 2, Machir gives his daughter to Hezron of Judah; she bore Segub, father of Jair. Jair inherited 23 cities of Gilead in right of his grandmother. Though of Judah by his grandfather, he is (Nu 32:41) counted as of Manasseh on account of his inheritance through his grandmother. So Mary, being daughter of Heli, and Joseph her husband being adopted by him on marrying his daughter, an heiress (as appears from her going to Bethlehem to be registered in her pregnancy), Joseph is called in Luke's genealogy son of Heli. By the Roman law of adoption, which required a due legal form, the adopted child was entitled to the father's name, possessions, and family sacred rights, as his heir at law. The father also was entitled to his son's property, and was his absolute owner. Gratuitous love was the ground of the selection generally. Often a slave was adopted as a son. Even when not so, the son adopted was bought from the natural father. A son and heir often adopted brothers, admitting them to share his own privileges; this explains beautifully Joh 8:36, compare Heb 2:11; or else the usage alluded to is that of the son, on coming into the inheritance, setting free the slaves born in the house. The Jews, though not having exactly the same customs, were familiar with the Roman usage's.
(II.) National: as God adopted Israel (Ro 9:4; De 7:6; Ex 4:22-23; Ho 11:1); compare Jer 3:19, "How shall I put thee among the children (Greek huiothesia) ... thou shalt call Me, my Father." The wonder expressed is, how shall one so long estranged from God as Israel has been be restored to the privileges of adoption? The answer is, by God's pouring out on them hereafter the Spirit of adoption crying to God, "Father" (Isa 63:16; 64:8; Ho 3:4-5; Zec 12:10).
(III.) Spiritual and individual. An act of God's sovereign grace, originating in God's eternal counsel of love (Eph 1:4-5; Jer 31:3); actually imparted by God's uniting His people by faith to Christ (Joh 1:12-13; Ro 8:14-16; Ga 3:26; 4:4-5). The slave once forbidden to say father to the master, being adopted, can use that endearing appellation as a free man. God is their Father, because Christ's Father (Joh 20:17). Sealed by the Holy Spirit, the earnest of the future inheritance (Eph 1:13). Producing the filial cry of prayer in all, Jew and Gentile alike (See ABBA) (Ga 4:6); and the fruit of the Spirit, conformity to Christ (Ro 8:29), and renewal in the image of our Father (Col 3:10). Its privileges are God's special love and favor (1Jo 3:1; Eph 5:1); union with God, so perfect hereafter that it shall correspond to the ineffable mutual union of the Father and Son (Joh 17:23,26); access to God with filial boldness (Mt 6:8-9; Ro 8:15,26-27), not slavish fear such as the law generated (Ga 4:1-7; Joh 4:17-18; 5:14); fatherly correction (Heb 12:5-8); provision and protection (Mt 6:31-33; 10:29-30); heavenly inheritance (1Pe 1:3-4; Re 21:7).
The "adoption" is used for its full manifestation in the resurrection of the believer with a body like Christ's glorious body (Ro 8:23). Christ was Son even in His humiliation; but He was only "declared (definitively in the Greek) the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead" (Ro 1:4), "the first begotten from the dead" (Re 1:5). Hence Paul refers, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee" (Ps 2:7) to the day of His resurrection. Not that He then first became Son, but His sonship was then openly vindicated by the Father's raising Him from the dead (Ac 13:33). So our "adoption" is still waited for, in the sense of its open manifestation (Ro 8:11,19; 1Jo 3:2). It is now a reality, but as yet a hidden reality. Our regeneration is now true (Tit 3:5), but its full glories await Christ's coming to raise His saints. The first resurrection shall be the saints' manifested regeneration (Mt 19:28). They have three birthdays: the natural, the spiritual, the glorified. Sonship and the first resurrection are similarly connected (Lu 20:36; 1Pe 1:3). By creation Adam (Lu 3:38) and all men (Ac 17:28-29) are sons of God; by adoption only believers (1Co 12:3). The tests are in 1Jo 3:9; 4/4/type/godbey'>4:4,6; 5:1,4,18-21.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Therefore be not like unto them: for your Father knows of what things you have need, before you ask him.
Therefore be not like unto them: for your Father knows of what things you have need, before you ask him. Therefore pray ye after this manner: Our Father who art in the heavens, let thy name be hallowed:
Therefore pray ye after this manner: Our Father who art in the heavens, let thy name be hallowed:
Therefore be not solicitous, saying, What can we eat? or what can we drink? or with what can we be clothed?
Therefore be not solicitous, saying, What can we eat? or what can we drink? or with what can we be clothed? For after all these things the heathen were seeking; for your heavenly Father knoweth that you need all these things.
For after all these things the heathen were seeking; for your heavenly Father knoweth that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
But seek first the kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and one of them will not fall to the ground without your Father.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and one of them will not fall to the ground without your Father. But the hairs of your head are all numbered.
But the hairs of your head are all numbered.
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say unto you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man may sit upon the throne of His glory, you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say unto you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man may sit upon the throne of His glory, you shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they are not able yet to die; for they are like the angels, and sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they are not able yet to die; for they are like the angels, and sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
But so many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become the children of God, to those believing on His name:
But so many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become the children of God, to those believing on His name: who were born not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
who were born not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The woman responded and said, I have no husband. Jesus says to her, Well didst thou say, I have no husband:
The woman responded and said, I have no husband. Jesus says to her, Well didst thou say, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: thou hast spoken this truly.
for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: thou hast spoken this truly.
And after these things, Jesus finds him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, thou hast been made whole: sin no more, lest something worse may come on thee.
And after these things, Jesus finds him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, thou hast been made whole: sin no more, lest something worse may come on thee.
If therefore the Son may make you free, you shall be free indeed.
If therefore the Son may make you free, you shall be free indeed.
I in them, and thou in me, in order that they may be perfected into one; in order that the world may know that thou didst send me, and didst love them, as thou didst love me.
I in them, and thou in me, in order that they may be perfected into one; in order that the world may know that thou didst send me, and didst love them, as thou didst love me.
I made known thy name to them, and will make it known; in order that the love with which thou didst love me may be in them, and I in them.
I made known thy name to them, and will make it known; in order that the love with which thou didst love me may be in them, and I in them.
Jesus says to her, Cling not to me; for I have not ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
Jesus says to her, Cling not to me; for I have not ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
that God has fulfilled this unto our children, raising up Jesus, as in the second Psalm it has been written, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
that God has fulfilled this unto our children, raising up Jesus, as in the second Psalm it has been written, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
For in him we live and move and have our being, as indeed certain ones of your own poets have said, For we are truly his offspring.
For in him we live and move and have our being, as indeed certain ones of your own poets have said, For we are truly his offspring. Then being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that divinity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the invention of art and the device of man.
Then being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that divinity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the invention of art and the device of man.
having been ordained the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, from the resurrection of the dead, of Jesus Christ our Lord:
having been ordained the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, from the resurrection of the dead, of Jesus Christ our Lord:
But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also create life in your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also create life in your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.
For so many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
For so many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
For the earnest expectation of the creature awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
For the earnest expectation of the creature awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
And likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as it behooves us: but the Spirit himself makes intercession with unutterable groanings:
And likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as it behooves us: but the Spirit himself makes intercession with unutterable groanings: but he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession towards God in behalf of the saints.
but he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession towards God in behalf of the saints.
Because whom he did foreknow, he did also predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
Because whom he did foreknow, he did also predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
For you are all the sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus;
For you are all the sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus;
as he elected us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his presence.
as he elected us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his presence. in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
in whom you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, also having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
in whom you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, also having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Therefore be ye imitators of God, as beloved children;
Therefore be ye imitators of God, as beloved children;
and having put on the new man, who is renewed into perfect knowledge according to the image of him who created him:
and having put on the new man, who is renewed into perfect knowledge according to the image of him who created him:
not from works which are in righteousness, which we did, but according to his own mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewal of the Holy Ghost,
not from works which are in righteousness, which we did, but according to his own mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewal of the Holy Ghost,
For both the one sanctifying and they who are sanctified are all of one: on account of which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
For both the one sanctifying and they who are sanctified are all of one: on account of which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art proven of him:
and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art proven of him: for whom the Lord loves he chastises, and scourges every son whom he receives.
for whom the Lord loves he chastises, and scourges every son whom he receives. Endure unto chastisement; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father does not chastise?
Endure unto chastisement; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father does not chastise? And if you are without chastisement, of which all have been partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.
And if you are without chastisement, of which all have been partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one having according to his great mercy begotten us again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one having according to his great mercy begotten us again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and never fading, having been kept in the heavens unto you,
unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and never fading, having been kept in the heavens unto you,
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God; and we are. And on this account the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God; and we are. And on this account the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
Every one having been born of God does not sin; because his seed remains in him: and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
Every one having been born of God does not sin; because his seed remains in him: and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
You are of God, little children, and you have conquered them; because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
You are of God, little children, and you have conquered them; because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
We are of God: the one knowing God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
We are of God: the one knowing God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Every one believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God: and every one loving with divine love him who begat, also loves him who has been begotten of him, with divine love.
Every one believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God: and every one loving with divine love him who begat, also loves him who has been begotten of him, with divine love.
because everything which has been born of God conquers the world: and this is the victory which has conquered the world, our faith.
because everything which has been born of God conquers the world: and this is the victory which has conquered the world, our faith.
We know that every one who has been born of God, sins not; but the one having been born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him.
We know that every one who has been born of God, sins not; but the one having been born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one. But we know that the Son of God has come and has given unto us intelligence, that we know the truth. And we are in the true one, in his Son Jesus Christ; he is the true God, and eternal life.
But we know that the Son of God has come and has given unto us intelligence, that we know the truth. And we are in the true one, in his Son Jesus Christ; he is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from the idols.
Little children, keep yourselves from the idols.
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstbegotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To the one loving us with divine love, and having washed us from our sins in His own blood,
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstbegotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To the one loving us with divine love, and having washed us from our sins in His own blood,
The one conquering shall inherit all things; and I will be to him God, and he shall be to me a son.
The one conquering shall inherit all things; and I will be to him God, and he shall be to me a son.
Hastings
The term 'adoption' is found five times in St. Paul's letters (Ro 8:15,22; 9:4; Ga 4:5; Eph 1:5), and not elsewhere in the NT. In Ro 9:4 reference is made to the favoured position of the Jews as the chosen people. To them belonged the adoption, the position of sons (Ex 4:22). In the remaining passages St. Paul uses the word to describe the privileges of the Christian as opposed to the unbeliever. He is trying, as a rule, to bring home to Gentile readers the great change wrought by the coming of Christ. Though W. M. Ramsay has attempted to identify peculiarities of Syro-Greek law in Ga 4, and though it is true that 'no word is more common in Greek inscriptions of Hellenistic times: the idea like the word is native Greek,' yet St. Paul's use of the term seems to be based on Roman law. See Hastings' ERE, s.v.
Adoption in Roman law could be effected by a modified form of the method of sale known as mancipation. 'The Roman Mancipation required the presence, first, of all of the parties, the vendor and the vendee.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
For we know that all creation groans together and travails together until now; and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it is not yet manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he may be made manifest, we shall be like him; because we shall see him as he is.
Morish
The word is ????????, the adoption of sons, or the placing of persons in the position of sons, with all the privileges attaching thereto. Examples of this in a natural way are seen in the O.T. in Moses being an adopted son of the daughter of Pharaoh, Ex 2:10, and Esther being adopted by her cousin Mordecai, Es 2:7. In a higher sense Israel was the adopted son of God. Moses was instructed to say to Pharaoh, "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn." Ex 4:22 : cf. also De 14:1; Isa 43:6. So that Paul, when enumerating the privileges of Israel, could say that to them pertained the 'adoption.' Ro 9:4. In a much higher sense, since redemption has been wrought, those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are in the new creation sons by adoption, and the Spirit of God's Son is given them so that they can call God Abba Father, and not only be sons but know and enjoy the relationship with all its blessed privileges. Ga 4:5-6. The Christian receives the spirit of adoption, the Holy Ghost bearing witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. Not that he enters into the full blessedness of being God's son until the future; for we who have the first-fruits of the Spirit groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption
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For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God. read more. And if children, indeed heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, in order that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of these present times are not worthy to be compared to the glory which is about to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature has been subordinated to mortality, not willingly, but through Him who subordinated it; therefore indeed pursuant to hope, the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that all creation groans together and travails together until now; and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
who are Israelites, of whom is the adoption of sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service, and the promises:
as he elected us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless in his presence. in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Smith
Adoption,
an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians.
He probably alludes to the Roman custom by which a person not having children of his own might adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show the close relationship to God of the Christian.
He is received into God's family from the world, and becomes a child and heir of God.
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For so many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God. read more. And if children, indeed heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if we suffer together, in order that we may also be glorified together.
and not only so, but we ourselves, having the earnest of the Spirit, and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of sons, the redemption of our body.
in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons unto himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Watsons
ADOPTION. An act by which one takes another into his family, owns him for his son, and appoints him his heir. The Greeks and Romans had many regulations concerning adoption. It does not appear that adoption, properly so called, was formerly in use among, the Jews. Moses makes no mention of it in his laws; and the case of Jacob's two grandsons, Ge 48:14, seems rather a substitution.
2. Adoption in a theological sense is that act of God's free grace by which, upon our being justified by faith in Christ, we are received into the family of God, and entitled to the inheritance of heaven. This appears not so much a distinct act of God, as involved in, and necessarily flowing from, our justification; so that at least the one always implies the other. Nor is there any good ground to suppose that in the New Testament the term adoption is used with any reference to the civil practice of adoption by the Greeks, Romans, or other Heathens, and therefore it is not judicious to illustrate the texts in which the word occurs by their formalities. The Apostles in using the term appear to have had before them the simple view, that our sins had deprived us of our sonship, the favour of God, and the right to the inheritance of eternal life; but that, upon our return to God, and reconciliation with him, our forfeited privileges, were not only restored, but greatly heightened through the paternal kindness of God. They could scarcely be forgetful of the affecting parable of the prodigal son; and it is under the same view that St. Paul quotes from the Old Testament, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Adoption, then, is that act by which we who were alienated, and enemies, and disinherited, are made the sons of God, and heirs of his eternal glory. "If children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ;" where it is to be remarked, that it is not in our own right, nor in the right of any work done in us, or which we ourselves do, though it should be an evangelical work, that we become heirs; but jointly with Christ, and in his right.
3. To this state belong, freedom from a servile spirit, for we are not servants but sons; the special love and care of God our heavenly Father; a filial confidence in him; free access to him at all times and in all circumstances; a title to the heavenly inheritance; and the Spirit of adoption, or the witness of the Holy Spirit to our adoption, which is the foundation of all the comfort we can derive from those privileges, as it is the only means by which we can know that they are ours.
4. The last mentioned great privilege of adoption merits special attention. It consists in the reward witness or testimony of the Holy Spirit to the sonship of believers, from which flows a comfortable persuasion or conviction of our present acceptance with God, and the hope of our future and eternal glory. This is taught in several passages of Scripture:
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For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, in which we cry; Father, Father. The Spirit Himself witnesses along with our spirit, that we are the children of God.