Race

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) The prerogative of mercy execised by the executive, as pardon.

(2): ( n.) The same prerogative when exercised in the form of equitable relief through chancery.

(3): ( n.) The divine favor toward man; the mercy of God, as distinguished from His justice; also, any benefits His mercy imparts; divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God; enjoyment of the divine favor.

(4): ( n.) The exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor; disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred.

(5): ( n.) Inherent excellence; any endowment or characteristic fitted to win favor or confer pleasure or benefit.

(6): ( n.) Beauty, physical, intellectual, or moral; loveliness; commonly, easy elegance of manners; perfection of form.

(7): ( n.) Graceful and beautiful females, sister goddesses, represented by ancient writers as the attendants sometimes of Apollo but oftener of Venus. They were commonly mentioned as three in number; namely, Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia, and were regarded as the inspirers of the qualities which give attractiveness to wisdom, love, and social intercourse.

(8): ( n.) The title of a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop, and formerly of the king of England.

(9): ( n.) Thanks.

(10): ( n.) A petition for grace; a blessing asked, or thanks rendered, before or after a meal.

(11): ( n.) Ornamental notes or short passages, either introduced by the performer, or indicated by the composer, in which case the notation signs are called grace notes, appeggiaturas, turns, etc.

(12): ( n.) An act, vote, or decree of the government of the institution; a degree or privilege conferred by such vote or decree.

(13): ( n.) A play designed to promote or display grace of motion. It consists in throwing a small hoop from one player to another, by means of two sticks in the hands of each. Called also grace hoop or hoops.

(14): ( n.) Fortune; luck; - used commonly with hard or sorry when it means misfortune.

(15): ( v. t.) To adorn; to decorate; to embellish and dignify.

(16): ( v. t.) To dignify or raise by an act of favor; to honor.

(17): ( v. t.) To supply with heavenly grace.

(18): ( v. t.) To add grace notes, cadenzas, etc., to.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

In spite of the many ethnic groups in the world, there is one race that includes them all, the human race. There is a basic unity to the human race, for all people share a common origin ( Acts 17:26;  Romans 5:12;  1 Corinthians 15:47-48). There is also a basic equality, for all people exist in the image of God ( Genesis 1:27; see Image ).

People are not favoured with God’s salvation on account of their race. All have sinned and are under the judgment of God, but all can be saved through accepting the salvation that God in his grace offers ( Romans 2:9-10;  Romans 3:19;  Romans 3:23-24).

From the time of humankind’s earliest rebellion, God worked in human history to produce one who would be a saviour for all. The fact that this saviour was himself a human being meant that he had to come from one of the world’s many races and nations. God’s choice of Israel as his people was specifically for the purpose of producing this saviour ( Luke 2:10-11;  Luke 2:32;  Romans 9:4-5; cf.  Genesis 12:1-3; see Election ; Covenant ).

Through being God’s channel of blessing to the world, Israelites enjoyed certain blessings, but that did not mean that they automatically received salvation from the penalty of sin. Israelites, whether in Old or New Testament times, had to repent and believe, the same as people of other races, if they were to be saved. Salvation is solely by God’s grace, and people accept it by faith ( Isaiah 1:16-20;  Luke 3:6-8;  Luke 11:32;  John 8:39;  John 8:44;  Romans 9:30-32;  Ephesians 2:8; see Remnant ).

Since all are saved on the same basis, there can be no inequality in the church. Believers of all races are united in one body ( Galatians 3:28;  Ephesians 2:13-16; see Foreigner ; Gentile ). God intends his church to be a showpiece to the world. Through the union of people of different races in one body, the church demonstrates the unity that God has planned for the whole universe ( Ephesians 1:9-10;  Ephesians 3:6-10).

King James Dictionary

RACE, n. L. radix and radius having the same original. This word coincides in origin with rod, ray, radiate, &c.

1. The lineage of a family, or continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus all mankind are called the race of Adam the Israelites are of the race of Abraham and Jacob. Thus we speak of a race of kings, the race of Clovis or Charlemagne a race of nobles, &c.

Hence the long race of Alban fathers come.

2. A generation a family of descendants. A race of youthful and unhandled colts. 3. A particular breed as a race of mules a race of horses a race of sheep.

Of such a race no matter who is king.

4. A root as race-ginger, ginger in the root or not pulverized. 5. A particular strength or taste of wine a kind of tartness.

RACE, n. L. gradior, gressus, with the prefix g. Eng. ride.

1. A running a rapid course or motion, either on the feet, on horseback or in a carriage, &c. particularly, a contest in running a running in competition for a prize.

The race was one of the exercises of the Grecian games.

I wield the gauntlet and I run the race.

2. Any sunning with speed.

The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beast.

3. A progress a course a movement or progression of any kind.

My race of glory run.

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

 Hebrews 12 .

4. Course train process as the prosecution and race of the war. Not now used. 5. A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current as a mill-race. 6. By way of distinction, a contest in the running of horses generally in the plural. The races commence in October.

RACE, To run swiftly to run or contend in running. The animals raced over the ground.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ἀγών (Strong'S #73 — Noun Masculine — agon — ag-one' )

is translated "race" in  Hebrews 12:1 , one of the modes of athletic contest, this being the secondary meaning of the word. See Conflict.

2: Στάδιον (Strong'S #4712 — Noun Neuter — stadion — stad'-ee-on )

"a stadium," denotes a "racecourse,"  1—Corinthians 9:24 . The stadium (about 600 Greek feet or 1/8 of a Roman mile) was the length of the Olympic course. See Furlong.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

 Psalm 19:5   Ecclesiastes 9:11 . Various games were instituted among the Greeks and Romans, in honor of their gods, and with the design of training young men to personal vigor and activity, and to intrepidity and skill in war. These games were celebrated at stated places and times, with great pomp; renowned statesmen, legislators, and kings engaged in them; and it was deemed the highest of all honors to be crowned with a simple chaplet of laurel, olive, pine, or parsley, in the presence of the vast assemblage of witnesses who delighted to honor the victor.

The preparatory training was very severe, and every weakening indulgence was forbidden. Among the most famous games were those celebrated on the isthmus of Corinth, hence called the Isthmian games; and to these Paul alludes in his letters to Corinth,  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 . The foot race was a game of the first rank; other games were the chariot-race, wrestling, boxing, leaping, and throwing the quoit or the javelin. The foot-race well illustrates the Christian warfare, the sacrifices to be made, the diligent bringing the body under subjection, the laying aside every weight, the myriads of spectators lining the course, and among them those previously crowned victors, the exhausting efforts required, (from which the word agonize is derived,) and the glorious prize,  Philippians 3:13   2 Timothy 4:7,8   Hebrews 12:1 .

Morrish Bible Dictionary

One of the Grecian contests used by the apostle to illustrate the Christian race. All ran, but only one received the prize; let each, casting aside every weight and sin, so run as to obtain; not for a fading crown (of laurel, pine, or parsley), but an incorruptible one.  1 Corinthians 9:24,25;  Hebrews 12:1 . This is not a contest in which the unconverted have to strive, with the aim of obtaining salvation; but it is a race the Christian has to run as a matter of experience. Paul said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" — of being with Him in the glory.  Philippians 3:14 .

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Ecclesiastes 9:11 (a) The wise man is telling us that human effort will not accomplish GOD's purposes. The power of GOD is necessary to accomplish the work of GOD.

 1 Corinthians 9:24 (a) This life is like the competition between athletes, each one is endeavoring to get ahead of the other. Each one hopes to get the prize of wealth, honor, fame or power.

 Hebrews 12:1 (a) The Lord is exhorting us to live wisely, profitably and well. It is His desire that we should seek in every way to gain the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ Jesus the crown, the "well done," and the approval of the Judge.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Race. See Games .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

RACE . See Games, p. 282 b .

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

See Games.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rās ( מרוץ , mērōc  ; ἀγών , agṓn , δρόμος , drómos ). See Games , I, 2; II, 3.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Race'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/r/race.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.