Ordinance
Ordinance
The word ordinance is used in the Revised Version to translate four different Greek substantives: (1) (Rom 1:32; Rom 2:26; Rom 8:4, Heb 9:1; Heb 9:10); (2) (Act 7:53, Rom 13:2); (3) (Eph 2:15, Col 2:14); (4) (1Pe 2:13). The Latin Vulgate in these passages renders by decretum, by creatura, by iustificatio or iustitia, by dispositio and ordinatio. is also used to signify a righteous act (Rom 5:16; Rom 5:18, Rev 15:4; Rev 19:8), is translated decree in Act 16:4; Act 17:7 and commandment in Heb 11:23. The only Evangelist who uses either word is St. Luke (Luk 1:6; Luk 2:1). The verb (submit yourselves to ordinances [Revised Version ], decernitis [Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] ]) is found in Col 2:20. Clement uses three times (ad Cor. ii., xxxv., lviii.). In the first and third of these passages it is coupled with ; in the second he is quoting the Greek (Septuagint ) version of Psa 50:16. He has three other words which might be translated ordinance: (1) (ad Cor. i.); (2) (ib. xxxiii.); (3) (ib. xx.; cf. Col 2:20). The verb , he ordained, occurs once (ib. xx.). The of the Gospel as a practical rule of conduct occurs in the Didache, xi. Ignatius speaks of being established in the of the Lord (Magn. xiii.) and has the verb , I ordain, three times (Eph. iii., Trall. iii., Rom. iv.). The substantive derived from it () occurs in Trall. vii.
The conception of an ordinance seems to be primarily something which is recognized as obtaining in practice. The authority upon which it rests may be Divine, as when it is applied by Clement to the laws of nature, which earth, sea, sky, and all living creatures must obey; or it may be primarily human, albeit ultimately Divine, as in 1Pe 2:13. The usage is not absolutely uniform, but as a rule the Divine sanction of an ordinance seems to be less direct than the immediate command of God Himself. Thus the Law is spoken of as being the ordinance of angels (Act 7:53). An ordinance is generally a human deduction from a Divinely-revealed premise rather than the actual premise itself. When Ignatius says I ordain, it is with reference to his personal authority, which is not irrefragable (cf. the distinction drawn by St. Paul in 1Co 7:25).
R. H. Malden.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Ordinance
an institution established by lawful authority. Religious ordinances must be instituted by the great institutor of religion, or they are not binding: minor regulations are not properly ordinances. Ordinances once established are not to be varied by human caprice or mutability.
Human ordinances, established by national laws, may be varied by other laws, because the inconveniences arising from them can only be determined by experience. Yet Christians are bound to submit to these institutions, when they do not infringe on those established by divine authority; not only from the consideration that if every individual were to oppose national institutions no society could subsist, but by the tenor of Scripture itself. Nevertheless, Christianity does not interfere with political rights, but leaves individuals, as well as nations, in full enjoyment of whatever advantages the constitution of a country secures to its subjects.
The course of nature is the ordinance of God; its laws are but the ordinances of heaven; and every planet obeys that impulse which the divine Governor has impressed on it. (Jer 31:36).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Ordinance
ORDINANCE.See Decree.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Ordinance
ordi-nans:
1. Old Testament Use:
This word generally represents , hukkah, something prescribed, enactment, usually with reference to matters of ritual. In the King James Version the same word is frequently translated by statute or statutes, which is also the rendering of a similar Hebrew word, namely, , hok. the Revised Version (British and American) generally retains ordinance, but sometimes substitutes statute (e.g. Exo 18:20; Psa 99:7). In one instance the Revised Version (British and American) renders set portion (Eze 45:14). The word generally has a religious or ceremonial significance. It is used for instance in connection with the Passover (Exo 12:43; Num 9:14). According to Exo 12:14, the Passover was an ordinance for ever, i.e. a permanent institution. In the plural the word is often employed, along with such terms as commandments, laws, etc., with reference to the different prescriptions of the Deuteronomic and Priestly codes (Deu 6:1, Deu 6:2; Lev 18:4).
In 11 passages (Exo 15:25; Jos 24:25; 1Sa 30:25; 2Ki 17:34, 2Ki 17:37; 2Ch 33:8; 2Ch 35:13; Psa 119:91; Isa 58:2 twice; Eze 11:20) ordinance is the rendering of , mishpat, judgment, decision or sentence by a judge or ruler. In the Book of the Covenant (Ex 20:22 through 23:33) the term judgments denotes civil, as contrasted with ritual, enactments. In 2Ki 17:34 the King James Version employs manners and ordinances as renderings of this word. In 3 passages (Lev 18:30; Lev 22:9; Mal 3:14) ordinance is the translation of , mishmereth, charge, which the Revised Version (British and American) restores. In one instance (Neh 10:32) ordinance renders , micwah, commandment, while in Ezr 3:10 the King James Version the phrase after the ordinance of David represents a Hebrew phrase which literally means upon the hands of David, i.e. under the guidance or direction of David.
2. New Testament Use:
In the New Testament, ordinance renders different Greek words, namely, (1) , dikaoma, in Luk 1:6 and Heb 9:1, Heb 9:10. The word means literally, anything declared right; but in these passages ceremonial and religious regulation; (2) , dogma, in Eph 2:15; Col 2:14. In the New Testament this word always means a decree or edict (Act 17:7); (3) , paradosis, in 1Co 11:2 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes traditions; (4) , ktsis, setting up, institution in 1Pe 2:13. The term is used exclusively of the action of God. Peter implies that institutions, apparently human, such as the family and the state, are of divine origin. The same doctrine is found in Rom 13:1.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Ordinance
This term in the O.T. generally signifies that which God ‘ordered’ for His people to observe. “They kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.” Psa 99:7. “Ye are gone away from mine ordinances.” Mal 3:7. It is also applied to things in creation: God giveth “the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night.” Jer 31:35. David made an ordinance. Ezr 3:10: cf. Neh 10:32.
In the N.T. it refers especially to the enactments of the law: “ordinances of divine service,” Heb 9:1; Heb 9:10; “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances.” Col 2:14. It is also applied to human laws, Rom 13:2; 1Pe 2:13; and to the rules of the moralists. Col 2:20. The directions that Paul had given to the Corinthians are in the A.V. called ‘ordinances,’ 1Co 11:2; margin , ‘traditions.’
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Ordinance
A decree
Exo 12:14; Exo 12:24; Exo 12:43; Exo 13:10; Exo 15:25; Num 9:14; Num 10:8; Num 15:15; Num 18:8; Isa 24:5; Mal 4:4; Rom 13:2; 1Pe 2:13
Insufficiency of, for salvation
Isa 1:10-17; Gal 5:6; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14; Col 2:20-23; Heb 9:1; Heb 9:8-10 Form; Formalism
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Ordinance
see JUSTIFICATION, No. 2.
is translated “ordinances,” in Rom 13:2. See DISPOSITION.
is translated “ordinances” in Eph 2:15; Col 2:14. See DECREE.
“a creation, creature,” is translated “ordinance” in 1Pe 2:13. See CREATE, B, No. 1.
Note: In 1Co 11:2, AV, paradosis, “a tradition” (marg., and RV, “traditions”), is translated “ordinances.” See TRADITION.
akin to A, No. 3, “to decree,” signifies, in the Middle Voice, “to subject oneself to an ordinance,” Col 2:20. In the Sept., Est 3:9; in some texts, Dan 2:13, Dan 2:15.