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General biblical topics and themes — 4,980 entries

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Scripture addresses imprisonment as both a consequence of sin and injustice, while also revealing God's compassion for the imprisoned and His power to deliver captives.

Privileges of Saints

Saints in Christ enjoy remarkable privileges including intimate union with Jesus, direct access to God's throne, Christ's intercession, and the assurance that all things work together for their good. These privileges flow from our secure position in Christ and His completed work of redemption.

The Prize refers to the eternal reward and the victor's crown that awaits believers who faithfully follow Christ and run the race set before them.

Probation refers to the period of testing or trial in which God calls people to obedience and faithfulness, with consequences for both obedience and disobedience. Scripture shows this principle from Adam's test in Eden through Christ's call for perseverance until the end.

Prochorus was one of seven men chosen by the Jerusalem church to distribute aid to widows, demonstrating the importance of faithful service in the early church.

Proclamation is the public announcement of God's word and purposes, calling His people to respond with obedience and faith. Throughout Scripture, leaders proclaimed God's decrees to mobilize His people toward repentance, worship, and restoration.

Procrastination

Procrastination—delaying obedience, decision, and action—is a spiritual hazard that hinders our walk with Christ and delays the fulfillment of God's purposes. Scripture warns against postponing commitment to Christ and putting off necessary obedience.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates God's boundless grace and forgiveness toward sinners who repent and return to Him. Jesus teaches that the Father's love eagerly welcomes home those who have wandered into sin.

A profession of faith in Christ must be genuine and backed by a transformed life, not merely empty words or superfessed devotion.

Prognostication

Prognostication refers to foretelling future events through divination or occult practices, which Scripture condemns as contrary to faith in God's sovereignty. The Bible warns believers to avoid such practices and trust only in God's revealed Word.

Promises of God, the

God's promises are His binding commitments to His people, sealed by His character and fulfilled through His Son Jesus Christ. They form the foundation of faith and hope for all believers.

Promotion and advancement come from God alone, not from human effort or ambition. Scripture teaches that God raises up whom He will and establishes positions of leadership according to His sovereign purpose.

Propagation refers to God's command and design for all living creatures to reproduce and fill the earth according to their kinds. This reflects God's creative purpose and blessing upon His creation.

Prophecies Respecting Christ

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, which were fulfilled in His birth, life, and ministry. These predictions demonstrate God's sovereign plan and the reliability of Scripture.

Prophecy is the Spirit-empowered proclamation of God's Word, revealing His will and character to His people. Biblical prophecy authenticates Scripture and points to Christ's person and work.

Prophetesses were women called by God to receive and communicate His message to His people, demonstrating that the Holy Spirit's gifting transcended gender distinctions in Scripture.

Prophets were called by God to speak His Word to His people, serving as messengers of divine truth, correction, and encouragement throughout biblical history. Their role was foundational to God's revelation before the completion of Scripture.

Prophets, False

False prophets are deceivers who speak presumptuously in God's name without His authority, leading believers astray through false visions and messages. Scripture warns believers to test all spiritual claims against God's Word and reject those who contradict biblical truth.

Propitiation is the sacrificial work of Christ that satisfied God's wrath against sin and restored the possibility of reconciliation between God and humanity. Through His death, Jesus became the mercy seat (hilasterion) who turned away God's justice so that sinners could be forgiven and reconciled to Him.

A proselyte is a person who converts to Judaism or, in the New Testament context, someone who converts to faith in Christ. The term describes both Jewish converts to Christianity and gentiles who adopted Jewish practices.

Proselytes were foreigners who converted to Judaism and accepted the God of Israel. The New Testament expanded this concept to include Gentiles who believed in Jesus Christ.

Prosperity is a blessing from God that requires gratitude and obedience, yet often becomes a spiritual danger when people forget the Lord and rely on their own strength.

Prostitution, Lascivious

The Bible forbids sexual immorality including prostitution, calling believers to maintain sexual purity as an act of obedience to God and respect for the body as His temple.

God offers His protection to those who trust in Him, shielding believers from spiritual and physical dangers through His constant watchfulness and care.

Protracted Meetings

Protracted meetings are extended times of corporate worship and celebration where God's people gather for multiple days to seek Him together. Scripture demonstrates that such extended seasons of prayer, worship, and seeking God's face produce spiritual blessing and national renewal.

Proverbs are divinely inspired, concise teachings that provide practical wisdom for righteous living and godly decision-making. They form a core biblical resource for understanding God's character and navigating life's challenges with discernment.

Providence of God, the

God's providence refers to His sovereign control over all events and circumstances, working through natural means and human choices to accomplish His purposes. The Bible assures believers that nothing happens outside God's knowledge and control.

A proxy is someone acting on behalf of another person, representing their interests or performing their duties. Biblical examples show how one person can stand in for another in religious or practical matters.

Prudence is the biblical virtue of wise discernment and careful judgment in speech and action, demonstrated through humble consideration of consequences before acting. It reflects God's wisdom applied to daily life and relationships.

Pruning is the process of removing branches or unfruitful growth to strengthen what remains and increase productivity. In Scripture, it serves as both a literal agricultural practice and a powerful metaphor for spiritual discipline and growth.

The Psalms reveal the heart of authentic worship and communion with God through prayer, praise, and meditation on His Word. They demonstrate the blessedness of those who delight in God's law and the importance of seeking His presence and protection.

The psaltery was a stringed musical instrument used in Old Testament worship and temple service. It held significant spiritual importance in praising God and accompanying the psalms.

Ptolemais was an ancient coastal city in Phoenicia (modern-day Acre, Israel) where Paul stopped briefly during his third missionary journey. It served as a strategic port city along the Mediterranean.

Puah was a Hebrew midwife during Israel's oppression in Egypt who, along with Shiphrah, feared God and refused Pharaoh's command to kill newborn Hebrew boys. She is also mentioned as the father of Tola, a judge of Israel.

Publicans were Jewish tax collectors employed by Roman authorities, widely despised by their countrymen for collaborating with occupiers and often for dishonest practices. Jesus's association with publicans demonstrated His mission to reach the lost and challenged the religious establishment's standards of righteousness.

Publius was the chief official of Malta who showed exceptional hospitality to Paul and his companions after their shipwreck, demonstrating Christian kindness before formally knowing Christ.

Pudens was a Christian believer in Rome during Paul's final imprisonment, mentioned in Paul's second letter to Timothy as one who sent greetings to Timothy.

Pul was an Assyrian king (also known as Tiglath-Pileser III) who conquered Israel and demanded tribute during the reign of Menahem. He represents the judgment of God upon His unfaithful people through foreign powers.

The pulpit is an elevated platform in the place of worship from which God's Word is proclaimed. Biblical examples show its use for reading Scripture and leading worship.

Pulse refers to legumes and vegetables used as food, most notably in Daniel's example of maintaining health through simple, wholesome diet rather than indulgence.

Punishment is God's just response to sin and rebellion, demonstrating both His holiness and the serious consequences of rejecting His wisdom and ways.

Punishment of the Wicked, the

The Bible teaches that God will judge the wicked and unrepentant with eternal punishment, proportional to their deeds and rejection of Christ. This sobering doctrine motivates believers toward holiness and faithful gospel witness.

Biblical punishments were divinely ordained consequences for sin and lawbreaking, ranging from exile and imprisonment to capital punishment. God's justice system demonstrated both His holiness and mercy through proportional penalties.

Punon was a wilderness encampment where the Israelites stopped during their 40-year journey from Egypt to Canaan. It marked one of the stations in their extended wandering in the desert.

The Pur was a lot cast by Haman to determine the date for the destruction of the Jewish people in Persia, but God sovereignly overturned this evil plan. This historical account demonstrates God's providential protection of His covenant people.

Purification in Scripture refers to both ceremonial cleansing under the Old Covenant law and spiritual cleansing through Christ's blood in the New Covenant. The Old Testament system of purification pointed forward to Christ's ultimate work of making believers holy before God.

Biblical purifications were ceremonial cleansings prescribed by God's law to maintain ritual holiness and separate the clean from the unclean. These practices pointed to the ultimate purification accomplished through Christ's sacrifice.

Purim is a Jewish festival commemorating God's deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to destroy them during the Persian exile. It is established as an annual remembrance through the reading of Esther and celebration among God's covenant people.

Biblical purity encompasses both spiritual cleansing from sin and moral separation from worldly corruption, reflecting our sanctification in Christ. Purity is essential for genuine worship and fellowship with God.

Purveyors were officials appointed to provide food and supplies for the king's household and administration. Scripture reveals how God's people managed resources through designated stewards.