Definition and Context
Comparing, in a biblical context, involves examining similarities and differences between people, events, teachings, or spiritual truths. It is a tool for understanding and discernment, often used to gain deeper insights into God's Word and His will for humanity. The act of comparing can be constructive, leading to growth and wisdom, or it can be detrimental, fostering envy and discontent.

Biblical Examples of Comparing
1. Parables and Teachings of Jesus: Jesus frequently used comparisons in His parables to illustrate spiritual truths. For instance, in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, He compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed, highlighting its small beginnings and expansive growth (Matthew 13:31-32).

2. The Law and Grace: The Apostle Paul often compares the Old Covenant of the Law with the New Covenant of Grace. In Galatians 3:24-25 , Paul explains, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." This comparison underscores the transition from the law's role to the freedom found in faith through Christ.

3. Earthly and Heavenly Wisdom: James contrasts earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom in James 3:14-17 , stating, "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere."

Warnings Against Unhealthy Comparisons
1. Envy and Strife: The Bible warns against comparing oneself to others in a way that leads to envy and strife. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 , Paul cautions, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

2. Contentment: Believers are encouraged to find contentment in their circumstances rather than comparing themselves to others. Philippians 4:11-12 states, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need."

Positive Aspects of Comparing
1. Discernment and Growth: Comparing spiritual truths can lead to greater discernment and growth. Hebrews 5:14 notes, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil."

2. Encouragement and Imitation: Believers are encouraged to compare their lives with those of faithful followers of Christ as a means of encouragement and imitation. Hebrews 13:7 advises, "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

Conclusion
While comparing can be a useful tool for understanding and growth, it must be approached with caution to avoid the pitfalls of envy and discontent. The Bible provides guidance on how to engage in healthy comparisons that lead to spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Compare.5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... In Scripture, 5012 ("lowliness, humility") is an inside-out virtue produced
by comparing ourselves (rather than to others). This ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5012.htm - 7k

Faustus Abhors Moses for the Awful Curse He Has Pronounced Upon ...
... upon Christ. Augustin expounds the Christian doctrine of the suffering Saviour
by comparing Old and New Testament passages. 1. Faustus ...
/.../faustus abhors moses for the.htm

Faustus Claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are ...
... Faustus claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are consistent believers
in the Gospel, and seeks to establish this claim by comparing Manich??an and ...
/.../faustus claims that the manichaeans.htm

I Wonder that You with Your Consummate Wisdom have not Understood ...
... Finally, to shew you that it was not my own opinion which I was developing but two
heresies which I was comparing with one another, both of which I had found ...
/.../27 i wonder that you.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... By means of this comparison we have found that there are groups of languages closely
related to one another; and, comparing these groups with one another, we ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Kalli at St. John's, Newfoundland
... Bishop's intention to have taken him in the summer of 1856 in the Church-ship to
the coast of Labrador, with the view particularly of comparing his language ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /kalli at st johns newfoundland.htm

Appendix to Part iii. Writings of the Apostolic Fathers, with Some ...
... Comparing the church to an army, he insists earnestly on the necessity of
different ranks and orders, and the spirit of obedience. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix to part iii writings.htm

The Lamp and the Bushel
... He who said, 'I am the light of the world, he that followeth Me shall not walk in
darkness,' was comparing Himself to the sunshine, whereas when He said to us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the lamp and the bushel.htm

He Proceeds to Show that There is no "Variance" in the Essence of ...
... For we speak, comparing the state of suffering with that of health, of the condition
of one who has been subjected to a change for the worse, as being a ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 8 he proceeds to.htm

How Much do we Know of the Nature of the Body?
... with cattle; and on the same principle, if any one shall be ever so little wiser
than yourself on this subject, he will have the pleasure of comparing you with ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 how much do we.htm

Two-Fold Bearing of the Kingdom of God --An Inward, Spiritual ...
... In thus comparing Christ's discourses with each other, and in the unity of purpose
which a contemplation of his whole life makes manifest, we find a guard for ...
/.../section 52 two-fold bearing of.htm

Comparing (5 Occurrences)
...Comparing (5 Occurrences). ... But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. ...
/c/comparing.htm - 8k

Compare (22 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament sugkrino, "to judge" or "sift together," is translated "comparing,"
"comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:13 the ...
/c/compare.htm - 14k

Comparison (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view
of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate. ...
/c/comparison.htm - 15k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... inferences regarding the relative use of particular names, secular names, for instance,
at different periods of the history of Israel, by comparing the number ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

Keys (2 Occurrences)
... This connects the figure directly with the idea of Matthew 16:19, and the connection
is emphasized by comparing Matthew 23:2 ff; and is made definite by the ...
/k/keys.htm - 32k

Version
... The chief of these are,. (1.) The Onkelos Targum, ie, the targum of Akelas=Aquila,
a targum so called to give it greater popularity by comparing it with the ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Kir (11 Occurrences)
...Comparing the Assyrian-Babylonian kiru (for qiru), "wall," "inclosure," "interior,"
or the like, Kir might have the general meaning of a place parted off for ...
/k/kir.htm - 17k

Ophel (6 Occurrences)
... He says: "I built QR-CH-H (? Karhah), the wall of ye`arim, and the wall of `Ophel
and I built its gates and I built its towers." In comparing the references to ...
/o/ophel.htm - 14k

Lois (1 Occurrence)
... This is the only passage where Lois is mentioned; but by comparing 2 Timothy 1:5
with 2 Timothy 3:15 (the King James Version), where Paul refers to Timothy's ...
/l/lois.htm - 8k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... If the Septuagint reading Gesem be correct, the word, which in its Hebrew form has
no known meaning, may mean "cultivated"-comparing the Arabic root jashima ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

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