Adoption
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Adoption denotes the legal act of incorporating a person into a family as a son or heir, a practice prevalent in Greco-Roman and Jewish societies. In early Christian thought, this social institution served as a primary metaphor for the believer's new status within the divine family.
What is the meaning of Adoption in the Bible?
Adoption denotes the legal act of incorporating a person into a family as a son or heir, a practice prevalent in Greco-Roman and Jewish societies. In early Christian thought, this social institution served as a primary metaphor for the believer's new status within the divine family.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the legal weight of Roman adoption clarifies the theological assertion that believers receive full inheritance rights and a permanent change in identity, moving beyond mere forgiveness to secure sonship.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Adoption in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Adoption clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.