In the context of biblical teachings, to "characterize" involves describing or defining the nature, attributes, or qualities of a person, group, or concept. The Bible provides numerous examples of characterization, both of God and of human beings, often highlighting moral and spiritual attributes.

Characterization of God:

The Bible frequently characterizes God by His attributes, which are revealed through His actions and words. In Exodus 34:6-7, God describes Himself to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage characterizes God as merciful, patient, and just, emphasizing His steadfast love and faithfulness.

The Psalms also provide rich characterizations of God. Psalm 145:8-9 states, "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made." Here, God's goodness and universal compassion are highlighted, portraying Him as a benevolent Creator.

Characterization of Jesus Christ:

The New Testament characterizes Jesus Christ through His life, teachings, and divine nature. In John 1:14, Jesus is described as "the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse characterizes Jesus as the incarnate Word, embodying divine grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-8 further characterizes Jesus by His humility and obedience: "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." These verses highlight Jesus' selflessness and sacrificial love.

Characterization of Humanity:

The Bible also characterizes humanity, often contrasting human nature with divine attributes. In Genesis 1:27, humans are characterized as being made in the image of God: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This characterization emphasizes the inherent dignity and value of human beings.

However, the Bible also acknowledges the fallen nature of humanity. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse characterizes humanity as universally sinful, in need of redemption and grace.

Characterization of the Righteous and the Wicked:

The Bible often contrasts the righteous and the wicked, characterizing them by their actions and attitudes. Psalm 1:1-3 characterizes the righteous as those who delight in the law of the LORD, likening them to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does."

Conversely, the wicked are characterized in Psalm 1:4-5 as "chaff that the wind blows away," indicating their instability and ultimate judgment. This characterization serves as a moral and spiritual lesson, encouraging adherence to God's ways.

Characterization of the Church:

The New Testament characterizes the Church as the body of Christ, emphasizing unity and diversity among believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Paul writes, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink."

This characterization underscores the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of believers, highlighting the Church's role as a living organism united in Christ.

Through these characterizations, the Bible provides a framework for understanding the nature of God, humanity, and the moral and spiritual dynamics at play in the world.1. (v. t.) To describe by peculiar marks or traits; to make with distinctive features.

2. (v. t.) To engrave or imprint.

3. (v. t.) To indicate the character of; to describe.

4. (v. t.) To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.

3877. parakoloutheo -- to follow closely, to investigate
... Spelling: (par-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o) Short Definition: I accompany, follow closely,
investigate Definition: I accompany, follow closely, characterize, both lit. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3877.htm - 7k

The Feeblest Essay in the Volume is the First. ...
... which has all the faults of a schoolboy's theme, (incorrect grammar included;) and
not one of the excellencies which ought to characterize the product of a ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/i the feeblest essay in.htm

Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ...
... caused by the unequal distribution of wealth, were recognized and maintained at
the expense of that fraternal relation, which should characterize a community ...
/.../the epistle of james practically explained/ 4 character and condition.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... He has been compared with Bossuet, tho he never attained the graceful style and
subtilty which characterize the "Eagle of Meaux." The story is told of the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

Introduction
... Indeed the writer has drawn upon that earlier pamphlet, since it seemed to him to
characterize the false teachers against whom he is warning the churches. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 3.htm

Fragment viii. Those, Moreover, who have the Care of the Emperor's ...
... 237, 284.]. [1303] [Thus is reflected the teaching of St. Paul, 1 Timothy 5:2. All
women to be honoured, and "all purity" to characterize society with them.]. ...
/.../theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment viii those moreover who.htm

Impressive Phrases
... deprive, dispossess, divest, and despoil. describe, delineate, depict, and
characterize. designed, contrived, planned, and executed. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Examples of a Similar Kind from the New.
... widowhood, is additionally graced with the testimony of "fastings" also; pointing
out, as she does, what the duties are which should characterize attendants of ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter viii examples of a similar.htm

Christ's Prayer Answered.
... of genuine regeneration, said of Jesus that "he should baptize with the Holy Ghost
and fire," thus using a most powerful symbol to characterize the nature of ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter iv christs prayer answered.htm

Concerning Sovereign Lord, "Ancient of Days" in which Also ...
... And often they characterize the things the most ancient by the name of Eternity;
and again they call the whole duration of our time Eternity, in so far as the ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput x concerning sovereign lord.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... Cyrus is defeated and slain."Tomyris's treatment of Cyrus's body."Reflections."Hard-
heartedness, selfishness, and cruelty characterize the ambitious. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

Characterize (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To be a characteristic of; to make, or express the character of.
Multi-Version Concordance Characterize (1 Occurrence). 2 ...
/c/characterize.htm - 7k

Call
... 5. (vt) To regard or characterize as of a certain kind; to denominate;
to designate. 6. (vt) To state, or estimate, approximately ...
/c/call.htm - 11k

Characters (6 Occurrences)

/c/characters.htm - 8k

Unwearied (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done
among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens and marvels and ...
/u/unwearied.htm - 8k

Lovingkindness (176 Occurrences)
... on. Being such an essential and distinctive quality of God, the prophets
taught that it should also characterize His people. It ...
/l/lovingkindness.htm - 40k

Gravity (3 Occurrences)
... to both parents and teachers (compare 1 Timothy 3:11 Titus 2:2). Such "gravity"
or "dignified seriousness" ought indeed to characterize Christian demeanor in ...
/g/gravity.htm - 9k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... cleansings at the consecration of the Levites (Numbers 8:7). It signified, figuratively,
that purifying of the heart which must characterize the servants of God ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

Impotent (5 Occurrences)
... The verb signifies "to be without strength," and derivatives of it are used in John
5:3, 7 the King James Version and Acts 4:9 to characterize the paralyzed ...
/i/impotent.htm - 9k

Fortitude (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs that characterize the true Apostle have been done
among you, accompanied by unwearied fortitude, and by tokens and marvels and ...
/f/fortitude.htm - 8k

Throne (181 Occurrences)
... the permanence of the throne of David is warranted (Isaiah 9:7); eternal peace
(1 Kings 2:33), loving-kindness and justice (Isaiah 16:5) characterize his reign ...
/t/throne.htm - 48k

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