Proportion
King James Dictionary [1]
PROPORTION, n. L.proportio pro and portio, part or share. See Portion.
1. The comparative relation of any one thing to another. Let a man's exertions be in proportion to his strength. 2. The identity or similitude of two ratios. Proportion differs from ratio. Ratio is the relation which determines the quantity of one thing from the quantity of another, without the intervention of a third. Thus the ratio of 5,10 Isaiah 2 the ratio of 8,16 Isaiah 2 . Proportion is the sameness or likeness of two such relations. Thus 5 is to 10, as 8 to 16, or A is to B, as C is to D that Isaiah 5 bears the same relation to 10, as 8 does to 16. Hence we say, such numbers are in proportion.
Proportion, in mathematics, an equality or ratios.
The term proportion is sometimes improperly used for ratio. The ratio between two quantities, is expressed by the quotient of one divided by the other thus, the ratio of 10 to 5 Isaiah 2 , and the ratio of 16 to 8 Isaiah 2 . These two equal ratios constitute a proportion, which is expressed by saying, 10 is to 5 as 16 is to 8 or more concisely, 10: 5:: 16: 8. See Ratio.
3. In arithmetic, a rule by which, when three numbers are given, a fourth number is found, which bears the same relation to the third as the second does to the first or a fourth number is found, bearing the same relation to the second as the first does to the third. The former is called direct, and the latter, inverse proportion. 4. Symmetry suitable adaptation of one part or thing to another as the proportion of one limb to another in the human body the proportion of the length and breadth of a room to its highth.
Harmony, with every grace,
Place in the fair proportions of her face.
5. Equal or just share as, to ascertain the proportion of profit to which each partner in a company is entitled. 6. Form size. Little used. 7. The relation between unequal things of the same kind, by which their several parts correspond to each other with an equal augmentation and diminution, as in reducing and enlarging figures.
This more properly belongs to ratio.
Harmonical or musical proportion, is when, of three numbers,the first is to the third as the difference of the first and second to the difference of the second and third. Thus 2.3.6. are in harmonical proportion for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. So also four numbers are harmonical, when the first is to the fourth, as the difference of the first and second is to the difference of the third and fourth. Thus, 24.16.12.9. are harmonical, for 24 : 9 :: 8 : 3.
Arithmetical and geometrical proportion. See Progression, No 4
Reciprocal proportion, an equality between a direct and a reciprocal ratio. Thus, 4 : 2 :: 1/3 : 1/6. See Reciprocals, and Reciprocal ratio.
PROPORTION, To adjust the comparative relation of one thing or one part to another as, to proportion the size of a building to its highth, or the thickness of a thing to its length to proportion our expenditures to our income.
In the loss of an object, we do not proportion our grief to its real value, but to the value our fancies set upon it.
1. To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( n.) The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body.
(2): ( n.) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional.
(3): ( n.) Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion.
(4): ( n.) The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot.
(5): ( n.) A part considered comparatively; a share.
(6): ( n.) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; - called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth.
(7): ( v.) To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.
(8): ( v.) To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body.
(9): ( v.) To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income.
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [3]
The Greek word ἀναλογία is of frequent occurrence in classical writings, but in the NT it is found only in Romans 12:6, ‘Whether prophecy [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith’ (AV_; ‘according to the proportion of our faith’; RVm_ ‘according to the proportion of the faith’). Interpreters are divided as to whether ‘the faith’ is to be taken subjectively (Meyer, Sanday-Headlam) or objectively (Vaughan, Liddon). The first alternative would mean that they who had received the gift of prophecy were to exercise it in consistency with the extent (or limits) of their own faith, the measure of which had been allotted to them ( Romans 12:3); the second, in harmony with ‘the faith’ as referring to the gospel as a whole. The latter is very attractive, but the usage of the NT is against it. There is no instance in the Epistles of St. Paul of the use of ἡ πίστις in the sense of ‘the gospel.’ It is, however, found in Judges 1:5; Judges 1:20, and is one of the indications of its late date. The ἀναλογία τῆς πίστεως must be taken as parallel with, and not different from, μέτρον πίστεως ( Judges 1:3). (For an elaborate examination of ‘Analogy considered as a guide to Truth’ see the work of J. Buchanan, published under that title, Edinburgh, 1864.)
John Reid.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [4]
Cp. Eng., "analogy," signified in classical Greek "the right relation, the concidence or agreement existing or demanded according to the standard of the several relations, not agreement as equality" (Cremer). It is used in Romans 12:6 , where "let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith," RV, recalls ver. 3. It is a warning against going beyond what God has given and faith receives. This meaning, rather than the other rendering, "according to the analogy of the faith," is in keeping with the context. The word analogia is not to be rendered literally. "Proportion" here represents its true meaning. The fact that there is a definite article before "faith" in the original does not necessarily afford an intimation that the faith, the body of Christian doctrine, is here in view. The presence of the definite article is due to the fact that faith is an abstract noun. The meaning "the faith" is not relevant to the context.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
prṓ - pōr´shun : Occurs once in the sense of "space" as the translation of מער , ma‛ar , "void or open space" ( 1 Kings 7:36 . the King James Version margin "Hebrew 'nakedness,' " the Revised Version (British and American) "space"); once in the obsolete sense of "form" as the translation of ‛erekh , "array," or "row" ( Job 41:12 , the Revised Version (British and American) "frame"); and once in the sense of "measure" as the translation of analogı́a , "proportion" "equality" ( Romans 12:6 , "the proportion of faith," the Revised Version (British and American) "the proportion of our faith"). "Proportionally" occurs in The Wisdom of Solomon 13:5, analógōs , the Revised Version (British and American) "in like proportion," margin "correspondently."
