Topical Encyclopedia
The term "affords" in the context of the Bible generally refers to what is provided, supplied, or made available by God or through His creation. It encompasses the divine provision and sustenance that God grants to His people, as well as the opportunities and resources He makes available for fulfilling His purposes.
Divine ProvisionThroughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate provider who affords His people with all they need. In the Old Testament, God's provision is evident in the manna He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness (
Exodus 16:4-5): "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.'"
Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes God's provision in the Sermon on the Mount, assuring His followers that God knows their needs and will provide for them (
Matthew 6:31-33): "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."
Opportunities and ResourcesThe Bible also speaks of the opportunities and resources that God affords His people to accomplish His will. In the parable of the talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates how God entrusts His servants with resources and expects them to use these wisely and productively. The master in the parable affords each servant a different amount of talents, expecting them to invest and multiply what they have been given.
Moreover, the Apostle Paul speaks of the opportunities afforded by God for ministry and service. In
1 Corinthians 16:9 , Paul notes, "because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me." Here, Paul acknowledges that God affords him opportunities for spreading the Gospel, despite the challenges he faces.
Spiritual AffordancesBeyond physical and material provisions, God affords His people spiritual blessings and growth.
Ephesians 1:3 states, "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." This passage highlights the spiritual riches and resources that God affords believers through their relationship with Christ.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit affords believers the power and guidance necessary for living a godly life. In
Acts 1:8 , Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit affords believers the strength and ability to fulfill the Great Commission.
ConclusionIn summary, the concept of "affords" in the Bible encompasses God's provision, the opportunities and resources He grants, and the spiritual blessings available to believers. Through His divine providence, God ensures that His people have what they need to live according to His will and to advance His kingdom on earth.
Library
He Shows that IgnoranceAffords no Such Excuse as Shall Free the...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 5."He Shows that IgnoranceAffords No
Such Excuse as Shall Free the Offender from Punishment; But that to Sin with...
That the Grace of God not Only Gives Remission of Sins, but Also...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon CXI. (Greek cxiij.) That the grace of God not
only gives remission of sins, but alsoaffords aid that we sin no more....
What St. Paul Calls Spiritual Wickednesses Displayed by Pagan...
...Affords Material for Heresies, Just as Virgil Has Been the Groundwork of Literary
Plagiarisms, Different in Purport from the Original....
A Question Whether it Can be Without Sin that Our Knowledge...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XV. A question whether it can be without
sin that our knowledgeaffords to weak brethren an opportunity for lying....
Through Grace we have Both the Knowledge of Good, and the Delight...
... Book II. Chapter 33."Through Grace We Have Both the Knowledge of Good,
and the Delight Which ItAffords. But when we pray Him...
Objections to the Narrative Drawn from the Subsequent Dispositions...
... The confirmation which John's Gospel, by its recital of this miracle,affords to
the other evangelists is the more striking, as John himself gives no account...
Argument. --Again He Proves from the Gospel that Christ is God.
... "But," says He, "whosoever keepeth my word, shall not see death for ever;" therefore
the word of Christaffords immortality, and by immortalityaffords divinity...
Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria
... Closing up the bright succession of the earlier Apologists, this favourite author
affords also a fitting introduction to the great founder of the Alexandrian...
Results of Criticism.
... of Christ derived from the traditions of the Apostolic Church, with that which the
direct and personal knowledge of the beloved discipleaffords to us, will...
Cavils of Simon.
... Then said Peter: "This very thing which draws you into incredulity,affords
to us a certain conviction that there shall be a judgment....
Thesaurus
Affords (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Affords (2 Occurrences). John 5:36 "But the
testimony which I have is weightier than that of John; for
...Afford (12 Occurrences)
... vt) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or
issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earthaffords fruit; the...
Comfort (130 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Assistance; relief; support. 5. (n.) Encouragement; solace;
consolation in trouble; also, that whichaffords consolation....
Affright (10 Occurrences)
Essenes
... Friends. The multitude that followed Our Lordaffords evidence of the influence
that a reputation for healing gave to one. II. The...
Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... Itaffords a splendid illustration of what is meant by the spirit of Yahweh coming
upon, or rather "clothing itself with" (Revised Version margin) Gideon...
Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... Itaffords a splendid illustration of what is meant by the spirit of Yahweh coming
upon, or rather "clothing itself with" (Revised Version margin) Gideon...
Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... is not far from the shore. Here was the ancient harbor which stillaffords
shelter for small craft. The other group of ruins is...
Key (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A position or condition whichaffords entrance, control, pr possession,
etc.; as, the key of a line of defense; the key of a country; the key of a...
Nuts (2 Occurrences)
... mountains. In such situations it attains the height of from 60 to 90 ft.
A grove of such treesaffords the most delightful shade. (2...
Resources
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