Biblical Terms Glossary
Plain-English definitions of 20 essential biblical and theological terms. Each definition includes a Scripture reference and notes for practical faith life.
Grace
Grace is the unearned, undeserved favor of God toward humanity. It is not a reward for good behavior but a gift freely given — most fully expressed in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Christians across traditions agree that grace is foundational to the entire Christian story, though they differ on how it operates and cooperates with human will.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Explore how your denomination understands grace using AI Bible chat. Try it free.
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which believers are made holy — set apart for God and progressively transformed to reflect the character of Christ. Unlike justification (which is a one-time legal declaration), sanctification is a lifelong journey. It involves the Holy Spirit working through Scripture, prayer, community, and obedience to shape the believer's character.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3
FaithWise's daily devotionals and prayer journal support your sanctification practice one day at a time. Try it free.
Justification
Justification is the judicial act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. It is not the same as being made righteous (that is sanctification) but being declared righteous — acquitted before God's court. In Protestant theology, justification is by faith alone (sola fide). Catholic theology also affirms justification by grace but includes ongoing works of charity.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
Ask Ivy to explain how your tradition understands justification and its relationship to sanctification. Try it free.
Atonement
Atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word itself means 'at-one-ment' — the restoration of unity. Theologians have developed several theories to explain how the atonement works: penal substitution (Christ bore the penalty for sin), Christus Victor (Christ defeated the powers of sin and death), moral influence, and others. Most traditions affirm multiple dimensions of the atonement.
“More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received atonement.”
Romans 5:11
Use FaithWise AI chat to explore the different atonement theories and how your denomination emphasizes them. Try it free.
Covenant
A covenant is a formal, binding agreement between God and his people. The Bible is structured around a series of covenants: with Noah (preservation), Abraham (promise and blessing), Moses (law), David (kingship), and the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus (redemption and the indwelling Spirit). Understanding the covenants is essential to reading the Bible as a unified story rather than disconnected parts.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
Jeremiah 31:31
FaithWise reading plans include covenant-structured Bible surveys that trace God's promises across Scripture. Try it free.
Eschatology
Eschatology is the branch of theology concerned with last things: death, judgment, the second coming of Christ, resurrection, and the final state of humanity and creation. Views within Christianity vary considerably — from amillennialism to premillennialism to postmillennialism — particularly regarding the nature and timing of Christ's return and the millennium described in Revelation 20.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Ask Ivy how different Christian traditions interpret end-times passages — it adapts its answer to your denomination. Try it free.
Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical interpretation — the set of principles used to determine what a biblical text means. Good hermeneutics considers the original language, historical context, literary genre, authorial intent, and the broader biblical narrative. Common hermeneutical approaches include the grammatical-historical method, canonical reading, and allegorical interpretation (used in early church interpretation).
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
The FaithWise AI is designed with sound hermeneutical principles — grounding every answer in context, not just isolated verses. Try it free.
Exegesis
Exegesis is the careful, systematic reading of a biblical text to draw out its intended meaning. The word comes from Greek meaning 'to lead out' — the goal is to extract meaning that is already in the text, not read modern assumptions into it (which is called eisegesis). Good exegesis asks: What did this mean to the original audience? What is the literary form? What does this passage mean in its broader context?
“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”
Nehemiah 8:8
FaithWise Bible study tools help you practice exegesis by linking passages to their cross-references and historical context. Try it free.
Apologetics
Apologetics is the branch of theology dedicated to defending and explaining the Christian faith in response to questions, objections, and critiques. The term comes from the Greek 'apologia' meaning 'a defense.' Apologetics is not arguing for argument's sake but giving thoughtful, reasoned answers to genuine questions about Christianity's truth claims. Classic apologists include Augustine, Anselm, C.S. Lewis, and Francis Schaeffer.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15
Use FaithWise AI chat to explore answers to common questions about the Christian faith, grounded in Scripture. Try it free.
Homiletics
Homiletics is the art and science of preaching — the study of how to compose and deliver sermons effectively. It covers sermon structure, textual analysis, illustration, application, and delivery. A good homiletics practice begins with careful exegesis of the text and moves toward clear, applicable proclamation for a contemporary audience. Seminary training almost always includes a dedicated homiletics course.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2
FaithWise Premium includes sermon prep tools to help pastors and teachers build outlines and find supporting Scripture efficiently. Try it free.
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of Scripture reading designed for spiritual formation rather than information gathering. It consists of four movements: lectio (slow, attentive reading), meditatio (reflecting on what strikes you), oratio (responding in prayer), and contemplatio (resting silently in God's presence). Rooted in Benedictine tradition, it has been widely adopted across Catholic and Protestant traditions as a practice of deep, prayerful Bible reading.
“His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:2
FaithWise devotionals are designed with Lectio Divina's rhythm in mind: a passage, a reflection, and a prayer response. Try it free.
Kenosis
Kenosis refers to the self-emptying of the Son of God in taking on human nature in the Incarnation. The term comes from the Greek word in Philippians 2:7 — 'he emptied himself.' Theologians debate exactly what this means: Did Christ empty himself of divine attributes? Of the independent use of divine powers? Of divine glory? Kenotic theology explores what it means for the eternal Son of God to become fully human without ceasing to be fully divine.
“But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Philippians 2:7
Ask FaithWise Ivy to walk you through different Christological views on the Incarnation and kenosis. Try it free.
Parousia
Parousia is the Greek word translated as 'coming' or 'presence' in reference to the second coming of Christ. It appears frequently in New Testament eschatological passages. The Parousia refers to the future, visible, bodily return of Jesus to earth in glory and judgment. It is one of the central hopes of the Christian faith, promised by Jesus himself and affirmed in the Apostles' Creed: 'He will come again to judge the living and the dead.'
“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:27
Explore eschatological passages about the Parousia in context using the FaithWise Bible reader. Try it free.
Soteriology
Soteriology is the branch of Christian theology that studies salvation — what it is, how it works, who it is for, and when it takes effect. Key soteriological questions include: Is salvation entirely God's initiative (monergism) or does human will play a role (synergism)? Is salvation assured once granted (eternal security) or can it be lost? What role do faith, works, baptism, and repentance play? Different traditions answer these questions differently, but all agree that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
FaithWise AI is denomination-aware, so its soteriological answers reflect your theological tradition. Try it free.
Ecclesiology
Ecclesiology is the branch of theology concerned with the nature, purpose, and structure of the Church. Key questions include: What is the Church? Who belongs to it? What are its marks (the 'notae ecclesiae')? How should it be governed (episcopal, presbyterian, congregational)? What are the sacraments and how many are there? Ecclesiology shapes everything from Sunday worship to church membership to denominational identity.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
FaithWise community features — groups, prayer walls, and shared reading plans — reflect the ecclesiological conviction that faith grows best together. Try it free.
Pneumatology
Pneumatology is the branch of Christian theology that studies the Holy Spirit — his person, nature, and work. Key pneumatological questions include: Is the Spirit a distinct person of the Trinity? What are the gifts of the Spirit? What is the difference between the Spirit's work in the Old and New Testaments? How does the Spirit relate to sanctification, prayer, and Scripture? The name comes from the Greek 'pneuma' meaning spirit or breath.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 14:26
Ask FaithWise Ivy about the Holy Spirit's role across different Christian traditions and denominations. Try it free.
Christology
Christology is the branch of theology concerned with the person and nature of Jesus Christ — who he is, not just what he did. The central Christological affirmation of orthodox Christianity, defined at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), is that Jesus is one person with two natures: fully divine and fully human. Christology shaped centuries of debate and produced the ecumenical creeds that most Christians still affirm today.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
Explore the Christological passages in the Gospels and letters of Paul with FaithWise Bible study tools. Try it free.
Trinity
The Trinity is the Christian doctrine that God is one being who exists eternally as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God; there is only one God. The term 'Trinity' does not appear in the Bible but was developed by theologians to summarize the biblical data — particularly texts that distinguish the three persons while affirming their unity. The Nicene Creed (325 AD) provides the most widely accepted formulation of Trinitarian doctrine.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19
Use FaithWise AI chat to explore Trinitarian passages and how your tradition explains the Trinity. Try it free.
Propitiation
Propitiation refers to the satisfaction of God's righteous wrath against sin through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The concept involves not just forgiveness but the removal of the cause of God's judgment. In 1 John 2:2, Jesus is called the 'propitiation for our sins' — the sacrifice that fully satisfies divine justice. Some theologians prefer the term 'expiation' (removal of sin) to avoid implying God needed to be appeased, but most evangelicals distinguish the two and affirm propitiation.
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2
Ask Ivy how your denomination interprets propitiation and its relationship to the atonement. Try it free.
Imputation
Imputation is the theological concept of crediting or reckoning something to a person's account. In Christian theology, it describes how God credits righteousness to the believer. Adam's sin is imputed to all humanity (Romans 5:12-19). The believer's sin was imputed to Christ on the cross. And most importantly, Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to the believer through faith — so that God sees the believer as righteous in Christ. This is central to the Protestant doctrine of justification.
“That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.' But the words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also.”
Romans 4:22-24
FaithWise denomination-aware AI can explain how your tradition understands imputed righteousness vs. imparted righteousness. Try it free.