The concept of "include" in the Bible often relates to the themes of inclusion, acceptance, and the extension of God's grace and covenant to all people. While the specific term "include" may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the underlying principle is evident throughout Scripture, particularly in the context of God's relationship with humanity and the expansion of His covenant community.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of inclusion is seen in God's covenant with Abraham, where He promises that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). This covenantal promise indicates that God's plan of salvation and blessing was not limited to the descendants of Abraham alone but was intended to extend to all nations.

The Law given to Israel also contains provisions for the inclusion of foreigners and sojourners. For example, Leviticus 19:34 instructs, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt." This command underscores the importance of welcoming and including those who are not native Israelites into the community, reflecting God's inclusive nature.

New Testament Context

The New Testament further develops the theme of inclusion, particularly through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Church. Jesus' interactions with individuals from various backgrounds, such as the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-26) and the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13), demonstrate His willingness to reach beyond ethnic and social boundaries.

The Apostle Paul articulates the inclusive nature of the Gospel in Galatians 3:28 , stating, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse highlights the breaking down of barriers and the unifying effect of faith in Christ, which includes all believers into one body, the Church.

The early Church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles, as seen in the account of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. The decision to welcome Gentile believers without requiring them to adhere to the full Mosaic Law was a significant moment of inclusion, affirming that salvation through Jesus Christ was available to all, regardless of ethnic background.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of inclusion is rooted in the understanding of God's universal love and the redemptive work of Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 speaks of Christ as the one who "has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." This passage emphasizes the reconciliation and unity brought about through Christ's sacrifice, which includes all who believe in Him.

Inclusion in the biblical sense is not merely a social or cultural concept but is deeply tied to the spiritual reality of being part of God's family. The Church is called to reflect this inclusive nature by welcoming all who seek to follow Christ, regardless of their background or past.

Practical Application

In practice, the principle of inclusion challenges believers to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to extend love and grace to all people. It calls for an active effort to break down barriers and to create communities that reflect the inclusive nature of God's kingdom. This includes reaching out to marginalized groups, fostering unity among diverse members, and living out the command to love one's neighbor as oneself.

The biblical theme of inclusion serves as a reminder of the expansive nature of God's love and the call for His people to embody that love in their relationships and communities.1. (v. t.) To confine within; to hold; to contain; to shut up; to enclose; as, the shell of a nut includes the kernel; a pearl is included in a shell.

2. (v. t.) To comprehend or comprise, as a genus the species, the whole a part, an argument or reason the inference; to contain; to embrace; as, this volume of Shakespeare includes his sonnets; he was included in the invitation to the family; to and including page twenty-five.

3. (v. t.) To conclude; to end; to terminate.

2297. thaumasios -- wonderful
... Cognate: 2297 (an adjective) -- wonderful, moving a person () at the sight (which
can include the reaction of becoming ) (only used in Mt 21;15). See 2296 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2297.htm - 7k

1510. eimi -- I exist, I am
... For example, 1510 () is aptly used in Christ's great "" ( . that also
include His () as our , , ," etc. See Jn 7:34, 8:58, etc. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1510.htm - 9k

593. apodokimazo -- to reject
... something is (). [This is also the meaning of this term in Plato, Herodotus,
Lydias, etc., which can also include ().]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/593.htm - 7k

3099. Madiam -- Midian, a region of Arabia
... Madiam Phonetic Spelling: (mad-ee-on') Short Definition: Midian Definition: (Hebrew),
Midian, generally taken to mean or to include the peninsula of Sinai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3099.htm - 6k

1111. gogguzo -- to mutter, murmur
... murmur. [Examples of onomatopoetic words in (mimicking particular sounds)
include: , , and (see , 1, 160).]. Word Origin onomatop. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1111.htm - 7k

4023. periecho -- to surround
... contain. From peri and echo; to hold all around, ie Include, clasp (figuratively) -- +
astonished, contain, after (this manner). see GREEK peri. see GREEK echo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4023.htm - 7k

1558. ekdikos -- exacting penalty from, avenging
... Cognate: 1558 -- someone executing a judgment, carrying out what is which can
include administering punishment for the wicked. See 1557 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1558.htm - 7k

2235. ede -- already
... completion -- 'already'" (, 1, 67.20). It often factors in something , but can
include anything that is .]. Word Origin a prim. adverb of time ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2235.htm - 7k

4788. sugkleio -- to shut together, ie enclose
... enclose, shut up. From sun and kleio; to shut together, ie Include or (figuratively)
embrace in a common subjection to -- conclude, inclose, shut up. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4788.htm - 6k

1672. Hellen -- a Greek, usually a name for a Gentile
... hel'-lane) Short Definition: a Hellene, a Greek Definition: a Hellene, the native
word for a Greek; it is, however, a term wide enough to include all Greek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1672.htm - 7k

Regeneration.
... the heart. With them regeneration does not include and imply the activity
of the subject, but rather excludes it. These theologians ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvii regeneration.htm

Whether the Precepts of Temperance are Suitably Given in the ...
... Therefore it was unfitting to include among the precepts of the decalogue the
prohibition of adultery, which is contrary to temperance, as stated above (Q[154 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of temperance.htm

Whether Augustine Fittingly Defines Confession?
... and binds him to perform the penance imposed on him." Therefore it seems that the
definition in question is insufficient, since it does not include all that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether augustine fittingly defines confession.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... They are as follows: " 1. The New England conference shall include the district
of Maine, the Boston, New London, and Vermont districts. ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

Whether the Other Six Precepts of the Decalogue are Fittingly ...
... in every sin. Therefore it is unfitting for the precepts of the decalogue
to include some that forbid concupiscence. Objection 4 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the other six precepts.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Set Forth?
... Since, then, the decalogue does not include any precepts directing man in his relations
to himself, but only such as direct him in his relations to God and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 2.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue Should have Included a ...
... prudence. For the chief precepts should include a precept of the chief
virtue. Now the chief precepts are those of the decalogue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 5.htm

Your Apology Says that There are Three Opinions as to the Origin ...
... true? But if one of the three is true and the two others false, why do
you include false and true in one assertion of ignorance? ...
/.../30 your apology says that.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... moment. 2. No direction should be given, that does not include a change of
heart, or a right heart, or hearty obedience to Christ. In ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

Evolution in General
... If Evolution can be proved to include Man, the whole course of Evolution and the
whole scheme of Nature from that moment assume a new significance The ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/i evolution in general.htm

Include (7 Occurrences)
... page twenty-five. 3. (vt) To conclude; to end; to terminate. Multi-Version
Concordance Include (7 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 15:27 ...
/i/include.htm - 8k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... RELATIONS 1. Foster-Father 2. Master and Servants 3. Host and Guest 4. The Dependent
Stranger The family or domestic relations of the Bible include (1) those ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Included (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Include. 2. (a.) Enclosed; confined.
Multi-Version Concordance Included (17 Occurrences). ...
/i/included.htm - 11k

Comprehend (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To contain; to embrace; to include; as,
the states comprehended in the Austrian Empire. 2. (vt ...
/c/comprehend.htm - 11k

Shishak (6 Occurrences)
... It was the custom in antiquity for a victorious monarch to include among conquered
cities any place that paid tribute or was under subjection, whether captured ...
/s/shishak.htm - 13k

Graecia
... 2. Location and Area: "Hellas," as the land of the Hellenes, is used in a broad
sense to include not only Greece proper, but also the islands of the Ionian and ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Hawk (6 Occurrences)
... that flocked over the rocky shores of the Dead Sea and over the ruins of deserted
cities, seemed to be closest in appearance to the birds we include in the ...
/h/hawk.htm - 14k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... RELATIONS 1. Foster-Father 2. Master and Servants 3. Host and Guest 4. The Dependent
Stranger The family or domestic relations of the Bible include (1) those ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

Country
... It is evident that a similar policy must have been followed in Samaria, as 27,290
could certainly not include the whole population of the cities and the country ...
/c/country.htm - 23k

Dictionaries
... In pre-alphabetic times the dictionaries include, besides the syllabaries of which
there were many examples in Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Cyprus, etc., and the ...
/d/dictionaries.htm - 38k

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