"BIBLEy Words"
Simple explanations of common Bible words
There are words in the Bible we hear all the time but don’t always feel confident explaining. Some of them sound familiar. Some feel intimidating. And some are rarely defined clearly at all.
Bibley Words exists to gently explain words found in Scripture in a way that is simple, respectful, and easy to understand.
No assumptions. No pressure. Just clarity.
This page is a growing glossary. It will continue to expand as new BIBLEy Words are added.
Why Bibley Words?
You are not alone if you have ever:
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wondered what a Bible word actually means,
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felt hesitant to ask because “everyone else seems to know.”
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wanted a simple explanation without a sermon
Bibley Words is here to make space for curiosity and learning, at any stage of faith.
Word Glossary
Who God Is:
Trinity
The one God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Yahweh
The personal name of God meaning “I AM.”
Exodus 3:14-15; Psalm 68:4
Holy Spirit
God’s Spirit who teaches, comforts, and empowers believers.
John 14:26; Acts 1:8
Holiness
Being set apart and pure, belonging to God.
1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14
Glory
The weight and beauty of who God is.
Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 19:1
Sovereign
God rules over all things with full authority.
Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35
Life Beyond This Life:
Eternal Life
Life with God that begins now and lasts forever.
John 17:3; Romans 6:23
Resurrection
Rising from the dead to new life.
John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Inheritance
What God promises His people as heirs.
Ephesians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3-4
Judgment
God’s final, fair assessment and justice.
Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:12
New Creation
God making all things new.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5
How The Bible Uses Language:
Gospel
The good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Covenant
A sacred, binding promise God makes with His people.
Genesis 15:18; Jeremiah 31:31-33
Testament
A covenant arrangement shaping relationship with God.
Hebrews 9:15; 2 Corinthians 3:6
Parable
A story used to reveal spiritual truth.
Matthew 13:34-35; Luke 8:10
Amen
“Truly” or “so be it,” agreement with what is said.
2 Corinthians 1:20; Nehemiah 8:6
How Faith is Lived
Grace
God’s free, undeserved kindness and favor.
Ephesians 2:8-9 John 1:16-17
Mercy
God not giving us the judgment we deserve.
Psalm 145:8-9 Romans 5:8
Sanctification
The ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Faith
Trusting God enough to lean your life on Him.
Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8
Repentance
Turning away from sin and toward God.
Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9
Obedience
Trusting God enough to Follow His ways.
John 14:15; Deuteronomy 11:1
Worship
Responding to who God is with reverence and love.
Romans 12:1; John 4:23-24
Prayer
Talking with God with honesty and trust.
Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:9-13
Confession
Agreeing with God about sin and bringing it into the light.
1 John 1:9; James 5:16
Disciple
Someone who Follows Jesus and learns from Him daily.
Luke 9:23; Matthew 28:19-20
Fear of the Lord
Awe-filled reverence that leads to wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10
How Salvation Works:
Justification
Being declared right with God because of Jesus.
Romans 5:1; Romans 3:24
Atonement
Being made right with God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Leviticus 16:30; Romans 3:25
Sin
Missing God’s standard and turning from His ways.
Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8
Redemption
Being bought back by Jesus from slavery to sin.
Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14
Propitiation
Jesus satisfying God’s justice on our behalf.
1 John 2:2; Romans 3:25
Expiation
The removal of sin’s guilt through Jesus.
Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 9:26
Reconciliation
Our relationship with God restored through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:10-11
Salvation
God rescuing us from sin and bringing us to Himself.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
Regeneration
New spiritual life given by God.
John 3:5; Titus 3:5
Adoption
God bringing us into His family.
Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5
Forgiveness
God pardoning sin because of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9
Who Jesus Is:
Lamb of God
Jesus who takes away sin through His sacrifice.
John 1:29; Revelation 5:12
Messiah / Christ
The Anointed One sent to save and rule.
John 1:41; Luke 4:18-21
Immanuel
A name for Jesus meaning “God with us.”
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Alpha and Omega
A title for Jesus meaning beginning and end.
Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13
Son of Man
Jesus’ title pointing to His mission and authority.
Mark 10:45; Daniel 7:13-14
High Priest
Jesus who represents us before God.
Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:25
Shepherd
Jesus who leads, protects, and cares for His people.
Psalm 23:1; John 10:11
Spiritual Beings & Roles:
Angel
A spiritual being sent by God as a messenger.
Hebrews 1:14; Luke 1:26-38
Apostle
One sent by Jesus with authority to teach and lead.
Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:25
Prophet
A person chosen to speak God’s message.
Deuteronomy 18:18; Hebrews 1:1
Evangelist
One gifted to share the gospel and equip others.
Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5
Deacon
A servant-leader who supports the church.
Acts 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Word Glossary
How Faith is Lived
Grace
God’s free, undeserved kindness and favor.
Ephesians 2:8-9 John 1:16-17
Mercy
God not giving us the judgment we deserve.
Psalm 145:8-9 Romans 5:8
Sanctification
The ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Faith
Trusting God enough to lean your life on Him.
Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8
Repentance
Turning away from sin and toward God.
Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9
Obedience
Trusting God enough to Follow His ways.
John 14:15; Deuteronomy 11:1
Worship
Responding to who God is with reverence and love.
Romans 12:1; John 4:23-24
Prayer
Talking with God with honesty and trust.
Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:9-13
Confession
Agreeing with God about sin and bringing it into the light.
1 John 1:9; James 5:16
Disciple
Someone who Follows Jesus and learns from Him daily.
Luke 9:23; Matthew 28:19-20
Fear of the Lord
Awe-filled reverence that leads to wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10
How The Bible Uses Language:
Gospel
The good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Covenant
A sacred, binding promise God makes with His people.
Genesis 15:18; Jeremiah 31:31-33
Testament
A covenant arrangement shaping relationship with God.
Hebrews 9:15; 2 Corinthians 3:6
Parable
A story used to reveal spiritual truth.
Matthew 13:34-35; Luke 8:10
Amen
“Truly” or “so be it,” agreement with what is said.
2 Corinthians 1:20; Nehemiah 8:6
Spiritual Beings & Roles:
Angel
A spiritual being sent by God as a messenger.
Hebrews 1:14; Luke 1:26-38
Apostle
One sent by Jesus with authority to teach and lead.
Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:25
Prophet
A person chosen to speak God’s message.
Deuteronomy 18:18; Hebrews 1:1
Evangelist
One gifted to share the gospel and equip others.
Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5
Deacon
A servant-leader who supports the church.
Acts 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Who Jesus Is:
Lamb of God
Jesus who takes away sin through His sacrifice.
John 1:29; Revelation 5:12
Messiah / Christ
The Anointed One sent to save and rule.
John 1:41; Luke 4:18-21
Immanuel
A name for Jesus meaning “God with us.”
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Alpha and Omega
A title for Jesus meaning beginning and end.
Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13
Son of Man
Jesus’ title pointing to His mission and authority.
Mark 10:45; Daniel 7:13-14
High Priest
Jesus who represents us before God.
Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:25
Shepherd
Jesus who leads, protects, and cares for His people.
Psalm 23:1; John 10:11
How Salvation Works:
Justification
Being declared right with God because of Jesus.
Romans 5:1; Romans 3:24
Atonement
Being made right with God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Leviticus 16:30; Romans 3:25
Sin
Missing God’s standard and turning from His ways.
Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8
Redemption
Being bought back by Jesus from slavery to sin.
Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14
Propitiation
Jesus satisfying God’s justice on our behalf.
1 John 2:2; Romans 3:25
Expiation
The removal of sin’s guilt through Jesus.
Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 9:26
Reconciliation
Our relationship with God restored through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:10-11
Salvation
God rescuing us from sin and bringing us to Himself.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
Regeneration
New spiritual life given by God.
John 3:5; Titus 3:5
Adoption
God bringing us into His family.
Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5
Forgiveness
God pardoning sin because of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9
Life Beyond This Life:
Eternal Life
Life with God that begins now and lasts forever.
John 17:3; Romans 6:23
Resurrection
Rising from the dead to new life.
John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Inheritance
What God promises His people as heirs.
Ephesians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:3-4
Judgment
God’s final, fair assessment and justice.
Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:12
New Creation
God making all things new.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5
Who God Is:
Trinity
The one God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Yahweh
The personal name of God meaning “I AM.”
Exodus 3:14-15; Psalm 68:4
Holy Spirit
God’s Spirit who teaches, comforts, and empowers believers.
John 14:26; Acts 1:8
Holiness
Being set apart and pure, belonging to God.
1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14
Glory
The weight and beauty of who God is.
Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 19:1
Sovereign
God rules over all things with full authority.
Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35
