Definition and Usage:
The term "semblance" refers to the outward appearance or form of something, often implying a superficial or deceptive appearance that may not reflect the true nature or essence. In biblical contexts, semblance can be associated with the idea of appearances that may not align with inner realities or truths.

Biblical References:
While the specific term "semblance" is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is present throughout Scripture. The Berean Standard Bible and other translations often convey this idea through related terms such as "appearance," "form," or "likeness."

1. 1 Samuel 16:7 : "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.'"
· This passage highlights the distinction between outward semblance and inner reality. God instructs Samuel to look beyond physical appearance, emphasizing that true value and character are discerned by God, who sees the heart.

2. Matthew 23:27-28 : "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
· Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on external semblance of righteousness while neglecting inner purity and truth. This passage underscores the danger of valuing appearance over genuine spiritual integrity.

3. 2 Corinthians 11:14 : "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."
· Here, Paul warns of the deceptive semblance of evil, which can appear as good. This serves as a caution against being misled by appearances that do not reflect true spiritual realities.

Theological Implications:
The concept of semblance in the Bible often serves as a warning against superficial judgments and the deception of appearances. It calls believers to seek discernment and to value inner truth and righteousness over mere outward form. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on the heart's condition and the authenticity of one's faith and actions.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to cultivate a life that reflects genuine faith and integrity, avoiding the temptation to focus solely on external appearances. This involves a commitment to inner transformation through the Holy Spirit, aligning one's life with the teachings of Christ, and seeking to embody the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Related Concepts:
· Hypocrisy: Often linked with semblance, hypocrisy involves presenting a false appearance of virtue or goodness while concealing true motives or character.
· Discernment: The ability to see beyond appearances and recognize true spiritual realities, a gift and responsibility for believers.
· Integrity: Living consistently with one's professed beliefs and values, ensuring that outward actions align with inner convictions.(a.) Likeness; resemblance, outward appearance; as, the semblance of worth; semblance of virtue.3446. morphosis -- a forming, a form
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: morphosis Phonetic Spelling:
(mor'-fo-sis) Short Definition: form, outline Definition: form, outline, semblance ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3446.htm - 6k

Jesus Christ Man in Truth, not in Semblance. ...
... Chapter XIV. Jesus Christ Man in Truth, not in Semblance.? Jesus Christ
Man in Truth, not in Semblance. [38.] But when we use ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xiv jesus christ man.htm

Topic xii. If any one Says that Christ was Manifested in the World ...
... Topic XII. If any one says that Christ was manifested in the world only
in semblance? If any one says that Christ was manifested ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/topic xii if any one.htm

Whether the Dove in which the Holy Ghost Appeared was Real?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the dove in which the Holy Ghost appeared was not
real. For that seems to be a mere apparition which appears in its semblance. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the dove in which.htm

Whether Christ's Body is Truly There when Flesh or a Child Appears ...
... but in the semblance of a child, because it lies within the power of a glorified
body for it to be seen by a non-glorified eye either entirely or in part, and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs body is truly.htm

Prophetic visions.
... Book IV. Chapter 34 [XXI.]"Prophetic Visions. Not every semblance of a
body is itself a body. Fall asleep and you will see this ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 34 xxi prophetic visions.htm

Psalm L.
... This thing also hear ye: "Out of Sion is the semblance of His beauty" (ver.2).
Evidently the Psalm doth agree with the Gospel, which saith, "Throughout all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

The Law of Change, or Mutation, Universal.
... So, too, the sea has an ill repute for honesty; while at one time, the breezes equably
swaying it, tranquillity gives it the semblance of probity, calm gives ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter ii the law of change.htm

Jesus Before Caiphas.
... the words he had uttered, the instructions he had given and the parables by which
he had illustrated his instructions, giving them the semblance of crimes. ...
/.../chapter viii jesus before caiphas.htm

Of the Knowledge of God, to which no Man Can Attain Save through ...
... his ears, so that atmospheric vibrations connect Him that makes with him that hears
the sound, nor even by means of a spiritual being with the semblance of a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the knowledge of.htm

Inconsistency of Giving the Soul all the Parts of Sex and yet no ...
... For that form of the soul, whether masculine or feminine, which has the distinction
of members characteristic of man and woman, being no semblance merely of ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 32 inconsistency of giving the.htm

Semblance (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Likeness; resemblance, outward appearance; as, the
semblance of worth; semblance of virtue. ...Semblance (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/semblance.htm - 7k

Dissemble (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To disguise or conceal one's true nature; to hide under a false semblance
or seeming; to feign (something) not to be what it really is; to put an ...
/d/dissemble.htm - 7k

Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien.
4. (n.) Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl. ...
/a/appearance.htm - 41k

Seeming (4 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Seem. 2. (a.) Having a semblance, whether with or without reality;
apparent; specious; befitting; as, seeming friendship; seeming truth. ...
/s/seeming.htm - 7k

Show (1340 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Proud or ostentatious display; parade; pomp. 11. (n.) Semblance; likeness;
appearance. 12. (n.) False semblance; deceitful appearance; pretense. 13. ...
/s/show.htm - 12k

Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... They build up stories and make them plausible by an outward semblance to truth,
while, in fact, they are flimsy, unreliable prophecies, resembling the walls ...
/u/untempered.htm - 9k

Judas (42 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The disciple who betrayed Christ. Hence: A treacherous person; one who betrays
under the semblance of friendship. 2. (a.) Treacherous; betraying. Int. ...
/j/judas.htm - 45k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image; a phantom; a
glimmering; as, not a ghost of a chance; the ghost of an idea. ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

Image (126 Occurrences)
... or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight;
a visible presentation; a copy; a likeness; an effigy; a picture; a semblance. ...
/i/image.htm - 60k

Imitate (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities,
conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy. ...
/i/imitate.htm - 10k

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