Spiritual and material benefits conferred upon people by God. They are given, not because of human merit, but because of God's graciousness, and therefore carry responsibilities with them.
Privileges as the gift of God, not the result of human merit
1 Corinthians 4:7 See also Luke 1:26–38; Ephesians 2:8–9; Philippians 3:4–9
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
The privileged position of humanity in creation
Psalm 8:3–6 See also Genesis 1:26–28
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place — what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet:
The privileged position of Israel
Romans 9:4–5 See also Deuteronomy 7:7–9; 2 Samuel 7:22–24; Romans 11:1–12
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.
The privileged position of the believer
The privilege of forgiveness and new life
Ephesians 1:3–8 See also 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Ephesians 2:3–9; Colossians 1:13–14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
The privilege of access to God
Ephesians 2:18 See also Romans 5:1–2; Hebrews 10:19–22, Hebrews 12:18–24
For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
The privilege of knowing God
John 17:3 See also John 12:44–46, John 14:6–7
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
The privilege of being God's children
Galatians 4:4–7 See also Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 3:26–29; Hebrews 12:5–11
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.
The privilege of becoming God's people
1 Peter 2:9–10 See also Ephesians 2:19–22
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The privilege of receiving divine insights
Luke 10:23–24 See also Matthew 13:10–17 parallels Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:9–10; John 15:15; 1 Corinthians 2:6–12; 1 Peter 1:10–12
Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
The privilege of being called to serve God
Jeremiah 1:5 See also 2 Samuel 7:18–21; John 15:15–16; 1 Corinthians 15:8–10
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
The privilege of giving
1 Chronicles 29:14–16 See also Acts 20:33–35; 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, 2 Corinthians 9:6–11
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy Name, and all of it belongs to You.
Privileges bring responsibilities
1 Corinthians 4:1–2 See also Matthew 24:45–51 parallel Luke 12:42–48; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Hebrews 13:17
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Privileges can be abused
1 Samuel 2:12–17 Eli's sons; 2 Samuel 11:1–4 King David; 1 Kings 21:1–16 King Ahab; Acts 16:35–39 magistrates in Philippi; Acts 23:1–3 Ananias, the high priest
Privileges can be withdrawn
Matthew 21:33–43 parallels Mark 12:1–9, Luke 20:9–16 parable of the tenants; Matthew 25:14–30 parable of the talents; Luke 19:12–27 parable of the ten minas
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.