Soldier
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
"a soldier," is used (a) in the natural sense, e.g., Matthew 8:9; 27:27; 28:12; Mark 15:16; Luke 7:8; 23:36; six times in John; thirteen times in Acts; not again in the NT; (b) metaphorically of one who endures hardship in the cause of Christ, 2—Timothy 2:3 .
"an army," is used to denote "a company of soldiers" in Acts 23:10; in Acts 23:27 , RV, "the soldiers," AV, "an army;" in Luke 23:11 (plural), RV, "soldiers," AV, "men of war." See Army.
"a fellow-soldier," (sun, "with," and No. 1), is used metaphorically in Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:2 , of fellowship in Christian service.
always in the Middle Voice in the NT, is used (a) literally of "serving as a soldier," Luke 3:14 , "soldiers" (RV, marg., "soldiers on service," present participle); 1—Corinthians 9:7 , RV, "(what) soldier ... serveth," AV, "(who) goeth a warfare;" 2—Timothy 2:4 , RV, "soldier on service," AV, "man that warreth," lit., "serving as a soldier;" (b) metaphorically, of "spiritual conflict:" see War.
Mark 6:27Guard. 2—Timothy 2:4
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary [2]
Christians are often likened to soldiers who have to clothe themselves with armour to fight against the evil forces of Satan ( 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; see Armour ; Weapons ). They have to endure hardship and opposition, concentrating on the task God has given them, without losing heart ( 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:3-4).
Israel’s Old Testament history is full of stories of the heroic deeds of its soldiers. Not all these heroes were godly, though some were great servants of God whose faith on occasions saved Israel ( Hebrews 11:32). (For methods of warfare see War .)
The soldiers mentioned in the New Testament are usually Romans. The Roman centurions, who feature in a number of New Testament stories, appear to have been men of quality. Some of them became Christians ( Matthew 8:5-13; Matthew 27:54; Acts 10:1-2; Acts 23:17-18; Acts 27:43).
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) Especially, a private in military service, as distinguished from an officer.
(2): ( n.) A brave warrior; a man of military experience and skill, or a man of distinguished valor; - used by way of emphasis or distinction.
(3): ( n.) The red or cuckoo gurnard (Trigla pini.)
(4): ( n.) One of the asexual polymorphic forms of white ants, or termites, in which the head and jaws are very large and strong. The soldiers serve to defend the nest. See Termite.
(5): ( v. i.) To serve as a soldier.
(6): ( v. i.) To make a pretense of doing something, or of performing any task.
(7): ( n.) One who is engaged in military service as an officer or a private; one who serves in an army; one of an organized body of combatants.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [4]
Apart from the common application of this term (for which see Army, Armour etc.) it is used in the N.T. for the service of a Christian. Two things are said of the Christian soldier. He must "endure hardness," that is, share in the suffering incident to warfare; and he must not entangle "himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier": that is, be quite free to obey his Captain in all things. As explained by the centurion, "I say to this man Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh;" so the Christian servant is under authority, and unhesitating obedience is what should characterise the soldier of Jesus Christ: he must be prepared to endure hardships, and to suffer with his Captain. Matthew 8:9; 2 Timothy 2:3,4 .
King James Dictionary [5]
Soldier n. soljur. from L. solidus, a piece of money, the pay of a soldier.
1. A man engaged in military service one whose occupation is military a man enlisted for service in an army a private, or noe in the ranks. There ought to be some time for sober reflection between the life of a soldier and his death. 2. A man enrolled for service, when on duty or embodied for military discipline a private as a militia soldier. 3. Emphatically, a brave warrior a man of military experience and skill, or a man of distinguished valor. In this sense, an officer of any grade may be denominated a soldier.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [6]
2 Timothy 2:3 (a) The child of GOD is thus described by the Holy Spirit. He is not his own. His time belongs to his Master, so does his body. He goes where he is told, he eats what is given, he wears what is supplied. He has no will of his own, but is an implicit servant of the military forces. He studies the ways of the enemy, he finds means of defense from the enemy, and of offense toward the enemy. This should be true of every believer.
Holman Bible Dictionary [7]
Luke 3:14 Acts 10:1ArmyCenturion
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [8]
SOLDIER . See Army, Legion, War.
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [9]
See Army.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [10]
(in Heb. only collect. for צָבָא , an Army ; or by periphrase; Στρατιώτης ) . (See Army).
References
- ↑ Soldier from Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
- ↑ Soldier from Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
- ↑ Soldier from Webster's Dictionary
- ↑ Soldier from Morrish Bible Dictionary
- ↑ Soldier from King James Dictionary
- ↑ Soldier from Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
- ↑ Soldier from Holman Bible Dictionary
- ↑ Soldier from Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
- ↑ Soldier from Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
- ↑ Soldier from Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
