Dr. Bob Gonzales
Puritan Board Junior
I'm doing a study on the concept of the "means of grace," and I'd like to know what does the English term "ordinary" mean when used in the phrase "the ordinary means of grace"? The following usages for "ordinary" are found in the Random House Dictionary (2010):
Thanks,
1. of no special quality or interest; commonplace; unexceptional: One novel is brilliant, the other is decidedly ordinary; an ordinary person.
2. plain or undistinguished: ordinary clothes.
3. somewhat inferior or below average; mediocre.
4. customary; usual; normal: We plan to do the ordinary things this weekend.
5. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. common, vulgar, or disreputable.
6.(of jurisdiction) immediate, as contrasted with something that is delegated.
7.(of officials) belonging to the regular staff or the fully recognized class.
Obviously, some of the above definitions wouldn't fit. Numbers 4 and 7 seem the most likely candidates to me. But I'd like to hear your thoughts. And could you please cite any sources to back up your position. 2. plain or undistinguished: ordinary clothes.
3. somewhat inferior or below average; mediocre.
4. customary; usual; normal: We plan to do the ordinary things this weekend.
5. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. common, vulgar, or disreputable.
6.(of jurisdiction) immediate, as contrasted with something that is delegated.
7.(of officials) belonging to the regular staff or the fully recognized class.
Thanks,