Complete
Well-known member
Hello there,
The Greek word translated 'dispensation' is 'oikonomia, and signifies the act of administering. Oikonomia is a compound made up of oios (a house), and nemo (to dispense, to deal out as a steward or housekeeper). The Greek word is preserved in our English tongue in the words 'economy' and economics'. Let us consider the occurrences of this word. In Luke 16:2-4 it is rendered 'stewardship'. In 1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10; 3:2,9 (RV); Colossians 1:25, and 1 Timothy 1:4 (RV), it is rendered 'dispensation'. These are all the passages in which the word 'oikonomia' occurs, nine in all, and those who are acquainted with the significance of numbers will recognize that nine, the number of finality of judgment both in relation to God and man, is in part explanatory of the goal of the various dispensations of God.
By 'dispensational truth' we mean that particular revelation of God's will to man during some particular administration or economy, and specially appertaining thereto. When we speak of some teaching or practice a being 'un-dispensational', we mean that owing to the introduction of a new administration, certain things that obtained under a previous regime have become obsolete. By the term 'un-dispensational teaching', therefore, we mean that the teaching peculiar to one dispensation has been imported into another and differing dispensation, where the conditions of divine dealing render the practical application of such teaching quite inadmissible.
This is a definition that I have found in the introduction to a book I am at present reading, and thought it worth entering here, for I think it states the case plainly, regarding the meaning of the word dispensation and it's scriptural usage.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
The Greek word translated 'dispensation' is 'oikonomia, and signifies the act of administering. Oikonomia is a compound made up of oios (a house), and nemo (to dispense, to deal out as a steward or housekeeper). The Greek word is preserved in our English tongue in the words 'economy' and economics'. Let us consider the occurrences of this word. In Luke 16:2-4 it is rendered 'stewardship'. In 1 Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10; 3:2,9 (RV); Colossians 1:25, and 1 Timothy 1:4 (RV), it is rendered 'dispensation'. These are all the passages in which the word 'oikonomia' occurs, nine in all, and those who are acquainted with the significance of numbers will recognize that nine, the number of finality of judgment both in relation to God and man, is in part explanatory of the goal of the various dispensations of God.
By 'dispensational truth' we mean that particular revelation of God's will to man during some particular administration or economy, and specially appertaining thereto. When we speak of some teaching or practice a being 'un-dispensational', we mean that owing to the introduction of a new administration, certain things that obtained under a previous regime have become obsolete. By the term 'un-dispensational teaching', therefore, we mean that the teaching peculiar to one dispensation has been imported into another and differing dispensation, where the conditions of divine dealing render the practical application of such teaching quite inadmissible.
This is a definition that I have found in the introduction to a book I am at present reading, and thought it worth entering here, for I think it states the case plainly, regarding the meaning of the word dispensation and it's scriptural usage.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Last edited:
