Definition and General Understanding:
Capacity, in a biblical context, refers to the ability or potential of individuals or groups to receive, contain, or produce something. This can pertain to spiritual, intellectual, emotional, or physical capabilities. The concept of capacity is often linked to the gifts and talents bestowed by God, as well as the responsibilities and roles individuals are called to fulfill within the body of Christ.

Biblical References and Themes:

1. Spiritual Capacity:
The Bible frequently addresses the idea of spiritual capacity, particularly in terms of understanding and receiving God's wisdom and revelation. In Ephesians 3:18-19, Paul prays for believers to "have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." This passage highlights the potential for believers to grow in their understanding and experience of God's love, suggesting an expanding spiritual capacity.

2. Intellectual and Emotional Capacity:
Scripture also speaks to the intellectual and emotional capacities of individuals. In Proverbs 4:7, wisdom is described as the principal thing: "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." This emphasizes the importance of developing one's intellectual capacity to live a life pleasing to God. Emotional capacity is reflected in the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23), which believers are encouraged to cultivate.

3. Physical Capacity and Stewardship:
The Bible acknowledges the physical capacities of individuals, often in the context of stewardship and service. In 1 Peter 4:10, believers are instructed, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This underscores the responsibility to utilize one's physical and material capacities for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

4. Capacity for Growth and Transformation:
The New Testament frequently speaks of the believer's capacity for growth and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves an increase in capacity to discern and live according to God's will.

5. Limitations and Dependence on God:
While humans have various capacities, the Bible also acknowledges their limitations and the need for dependence on God. In John 15:5, Jesus states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This highlights the necessity of abiding in Christ to reach one's full capacity in bearing spiritual fruit.

Practical Implications:

Believers are encouraged to recognize and develop their God-given capacities, whether spiritual, intellectual, emotional, or physical, for the purpose of serving God and others. This involves a commitment to personal growth, stewardship, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The concept of capacity in the Bible serves as a reminder of both the potential and the limitations inherent in human nature, pointing ultimately to the sufficiency and grace of God in empowering His people.1. (n.) The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical things.

2. (n.) The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling.

3. (n.) Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing.

4. (n.) Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.

5. (n.) Legal or normal qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, will, etc.; legal power or right; competency.

3804. pathema -- that which befalls one, ie a suffering, a passion
... Cognate: 3804 (from 3958 , "the capacity to feel strong emotion, like suffering") --
properly, the capacity and privilege of experiencing strong feeling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3804.htm - 8k

3563. nous -- mind, understanding, reason
... 3563 (a masculine noun) -- the God-given capacity of each person to (reason);
the ; mental capacity to exercise reflective thinking. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3563.htm - 7k

5046. teleios -- having reached its end, ie complete, by ext. ...
... It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out)
one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5046.htm - 8k

2222. zoe -- life
... sustained by . The Lord His gift of life with , creating each in which gives
all the capacity to know His eternal life. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2222.htm - 7k

3008. leitourgeo -- to serve the state, ie by anal. to perform ...
... 3008 (from 3011 , "someone who officially serves sovereign and community") -- properly,
to in an official (technical, authorized) capacity, especially on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3008.htm - 7k

2382. thorax -- a breastplate
... root of the English term, "thorax") -- properly, a ("") which protected the chest
and extended down to the ; (figuratively) what protects the (our capacity of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2382.htm - 7k

3751. osphus -- the loin
... 3751 -- properly, the hip (reproductive area); used figuratively in 1 Pet 1:13 of
the "reproductive" (creative) capacity of the (cf. Ro 12:1-3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3751.htm - 7k

3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... From oikos and the base of nomos; a house-distributor (ie Manager), or overseer,
ie An employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3623.htm - 7k

5056. telos -- an end, a toll
... It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out)
one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5056.htm - 7k

1067. geenna -- Gehenna, a valley W. and South of Jer., also a ...
... Each of the unredeemed receives one at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev
20:11-15), ie a body that "matches" their capacity for torment relating to their ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1067.htm - 7k

6894. qab -- kab (a measure of capacity)
... 6893, 6894. qab. 6895 . kab (a measure of capacity). Transliteration: qab
Phonetic Spelling: (kab) Short Definition: kab. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6894.htm - 6k

4884. mesurah -- a measure
... measure. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a measure NASB
Word Usage capacity (1), measure (2), volume (1). measure. ...
/hebrew/4884.htm - 5k

3581. koach -- a small reptile (of unknown species)
... 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally
(force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce ...
/hebrew/3581.htm - 5k

1964. hekal -- a palace, temple
... palace, temple. Probably from yakol (in the sense of capacity); a large public building,
such as a palace or temple -- palace, temple. see HEBREW yakol. ...
/hebrew/1964.htm - 6k

Capacity Extirpated by Disuse
... LV CAPACITY EXTIRPATED BY DISUSE. ... The gift is lost by the lack of exercise, or as
Horace Bushnell stated the principle, the "capacity is extirpated by disuse.". ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lv capacity extirpated by disuse.htm

Whether Charity is Infused According to the Capacity of Our ...
... OF THE SUBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether charity is infused
according to the capacity of our natural gifts? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is infused according.htm

The Pelagian Grace of "Capacity" Exploded. The Scripture Teaches ...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 26
[XXV.]"The Pelagian Grace of "Capacity" Exploded. The Scripture ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 xxv the pelagian grace.htm

In what Sense Pelagius Attributed to God's Grace the Capacity of ...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 59 [LI.]"In What Sense
Pelagius Attributed to God's Grace the Capacity of Not Sinning. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 59 li in what sense.htm

Pelagius Posits God's Aid Only for Our "Capacity. "
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 7
[VI.]"Pelagius Posits God's Aid Only for Our "Capacity.". Let ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 vi pelagius posits gods.htm

Now, in the Next Place, if any one Has the Capacity...
... Chapter XXXI. Now, in the next place, if any one has the capacity? Now,
in the next place, if any one has the capacity, let him ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxi now in the.htm

Yet not These Alone Does the Unmeasurable Capacity of My Memory ...
... Book X Chapter IX Yet not these alone does the unmeasurable capacity of my
memory retain.? Yet not these alone does the unmeasurable ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ix yet not these.htm

These Things Then Being Heard and Perceived, According to the ...
... Book XII Chapter XXIII These things then being heard and perceived, according
to the weakness of my capacity which? These things ...
/.../the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxiii these things then.htm

And by this Means Let those who have the Capacity of Comprehending ...
... Chapter XXXII. And by this means let those who have the capacity of
comprehending truths so profound? And by this means let those ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxii and by this.htm

The General Purport of this Work the Heretics, Marcion, Apelles ...
... of This Work The Heretics, Marcion, Apelles, and Valentinus, Wishing to Impugn the
Doctrine of the Resurrection, Deprive Christ of All Capacity for Such a ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter i the general purport of.htm

Capacity (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character;
position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter. ...
/c/capacity.htm - 8k

Faculty (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Ability to act or perform, whether inborn or cultivated; capacity for any
natural function; especially, an original mental power or capacity for any of ...
/f/faculty.htm - 8k

Capable (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Possessing ability, qualification, or susceptibility; having capacity; of
sufficient size or strength; as, a room capable of holding a large number; a ...
/c/capable.htm - 10k

Measure (269 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard;
size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's ...
/m/measure.htm - 45k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... 2. Measures of Capacity: Regarding the absolute value of the measures of capacity
among the Hebrews there is rather more uncertainty than there is concerning ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

Infinite (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Without limit in power, capacity, knowledge, or excellence; boundless;
immeasurably or inconceivably great; perfect; as, the infinite wisdom and ...
/i/infinite.htm - 15k

Measures (50 Occurrences)
... 2. Measures of Capacity: Regarding the absolute value of the measures of capacity
among the Hebrews there is rather more uncertainty than there is concerning ...
/m/measures.htm - 35k

Qualify (2 Occurrences)
... the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable,
as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity...
/q/qualify.htm - 8k

Large (235 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity,
superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious ...
/l/large.htm - 34k

Incompetent (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not competent; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit; wanting in adequate
strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like. ...
/i/incompetent.htm - 7k

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