Purpose Of God
Morrish Bible Dictionary [1]
That God has His own purpose before Him, should ever be remembered. Behind all His outward acts towards His ancient people Israel, His dealings with the nations of the earth, and His discipline of the saints who form the church, there is His purpose concerning all, and to this purpose everything is made to bend, and towards its accomplishment everything in some way or other (however hidden from the sight of man) is working. "The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand . . . . This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?" Isaiah 14:24-27 . It is not a purpose formed because events have turned out as they have in the world's history; but the events that have happened serve to bring about God's purpose, and His purpose is an eternal purpose. This is more fully revealed, though not more certain, when the church is spoken of. He "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11 .
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [2]
See Degree
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]
pûr´pus ( πρόθεσις , próthesis ( Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11 )): The word "purpose" seems to be an equivalent of the word "decree" as used in regard to man's relation to eternity. More correctly stated, it softens the word "decree" and refers back to the cause of the decree as lodged in an intelligent design and forward to an aim consistent with the character of God. See Foreordination; Predestination .
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
The word purpose is commonly used and preferred to the word decree when God's (etermination regarding man's relation to eternity is referred to. The word purpose owes its use to the fact that it is more comprehensive and expresses the idea of intelligent design, and therefore more clearly and wsith less of prejudice sets forth the true scope of the divine government. (See Predestination).
