Topical Encyclopedia
The term "alongside" in the context of the Bible often conveys the idea of proximity, companionship, support, or partnership. It is not a specific term frequently found in biblical texts, but the concept is woven throughout Scripture in various narratives and teachings. The idea of being "alongside" is significant in understanding relationships, both human and divine, as well as the nature of discipleship and community within the biblical framework.
Divine Presence and SupportOne of the most profound expressions of "alongside" is the presence of God with His people. In the Old Testament, God promises His presence to the patriarchs, leaders, and prophets. For instance, in
Isaiah 41:10 , God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise of divine accompaniment is a source of comfort and strength, emphasizing that God is always alongside His people, guiding and supporting them.
Jesus Christ: God With UsThe New Testament further develops this theme through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" (
Matthew 1:23). Jesus' earthly ministry exemplifies the concept of being alongside humanity, as He walked, taught, and lived among the people. His presence brought healing, teaching, and salvation, demonstrating God's desire to be intimately involved in the lives of His creation.
The Holy Spirit: The ParacleteThe Holy Spirit is described as the "Paraclete" or "Helper," a term that conveys the idea of one who comes alongside to assist, comfort, and advocate. In
John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit's role is to be alongside believers, guiding them into all truth and empowering them for service.
Human Relationships and CommunityThe concept of being alongside is also evident in the relationships among believers. The early church is depicted as a community where members supported and encouraged one another.
Acts 2:44-47 describes the believers as being together, sharing everything in common, and meeting daily. This sense of community reflects the biblical ideal of living alongside one another in love and unity.
Discipleship and MentorshipIn discipleship, the idea of being alongside is crucial. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, to be with Him, and to learn from Him. This model of mentorship is seen in the relationship between Paul and Timothy, where Paul writes in
2 Timothy 2:2 , "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." The transmission of faith and teaching occurs through close, personal relationships where one is alongside another.
Bearing One Another's BurdensThe apostle Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens, as seen in
Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This exhortation highlights the importance of being alongside others in times of need, providing support and encouragement.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of "alongside" encompasses divine presence, the ministry of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the relationships within the body of Christ. It underscores the importance of companionship, support, and community in the life of faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) Along or by the side; side by side with; -- often with of; as, bring the boat alongside; alongside of him; alongside of the tree.
Greek
3921. pareisduo -- to settle inalongside... to settle in
alongside. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pareisduo Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ice-doo'-no) Short Definition: I enter secretly Definition: I
...3947. paroxuno -- to sharpen, fig. to stimulate, to provoke
... 3947 (from 3844 , "alongside" and , "a sharp edge") -- properly, cut closealongside,
ie to incite ("jab") someone and stimulate their feelings (emotions...
3872. parakatatheke -- a trust or deposit.
... 3872 (3844 , " close beside" and 2698 , " place") -- properly, placealongside,
like when the Lord to someone (see 1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:12)....
3887. parameno -- to remain beside or near
... 3887 (from 3844 , "from close-alongside" and 3306 , "abide, remain") -- properly,
remain close-beside (near), ie ("continuealongside") in a relationship...
3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... para Phonetic Spelling: (par-ah') Short Definition: from, in the presence of Definition:
gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc:alongside of....
3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place
... pilgrim, stranger. From para and the base of epidemeo; an alienalongside, ie A
resident foreigner -- pilgrim, stranger. see GREEK para. see GREEK epidemeo....
3893. parapikraino -- to embitter, provoke
... provoke. From para and pikraino; to embitteralongside, ie (figuratively) to
exasperate -- provoke. see GREEK para. see GREEK pikraino....
3181. methorion -- border.
... border. From meta and horion; boundedalongside, ie Contiguous (neuter plural as
noun, frontier) -- border. see GREEK meta. see GREEK horion. 3180, 3181....
4875. sunanapauomai -- to lie down to rest with, fig. to be...
... It only occurs in Ro 15:32 in reference to the Roman Christians comingalongside
Paul to "struggle together" against those opposing his important mission to...
3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger
... 3850 (from 3844 , "close beside, with" and 906 , "to cast") -- a parable;
a teaching aid castalongside the truth being taught....
Strong's Hebrew
5980. ummah -- close by, side by side with... 5979, 5980. ummah. 5981 . close by, side by side with. Transliteration: ummah
Phonetic Spelling: (oom-maw') Short Definition:
alongside.
...3027. yad -- hand
... NASB Word Usage abandon* (1), able (1), able* (1), addition* (1), afford* (4), against*
(3), allegiance (1), allegiance* (1), along (1),alongside* (1), armpits...
6679. tsud -- to hunt
... A primitive root; to liealongside (ie In wait); by implication, to catch an animal
(figuratively, men); (denominative from tsayid) to victual (for a journey...
5921. al -- upon, above, over
... 2), across* (1), addition (4), addition* (1), afflicted (1), after (14), after*
(1), against (536), against* (1), along (11),alongside* (1), although (1...
Library
Conversion of all that Come.
...Alongside of saving faith goes temporal faith;alongside of the effectual call,
the ordinary call;andalongside of saving conversion, ordinary conversion....
Yoked Service.
... Our Yokefellow is always therealongside.... Every problem, every difficulty, every
opportunity He knows, and is right there, swinging in rhythmic stepalongside....
Our Brother.
... The kingdom He was to establish among men was to be set up and ruled over by man's
Brother. The salvation was to be by One, close up,alongside....
The Presentation of the Church by Christ to Himself.
... not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish." The word "present" here means "to setalongside of." Christ is...
On Bk. Iii. Chap. 39, 1 (Note 1, Continued).
... Handmann regards the Gospel according to the Hebrews as the second original source
of the synoptic tradition,alongside of the Ur-Marcus, and even suggests its...
Essay iv. The Generous Spirit, Who, when Brought among the Tasks...
... it was committed. It was already dark when he brought his ship into action,
and laid heralongside L'Orient. One particular only...
The Apocalypse of Peter.
... Andalongside of that cliff there was a place full of much fire, and there stood
men who with their own hands had made for themselves carven images instead of...
The Pastoral Epistles
...Alongside of the presbuteroithe episkoposis named as a primus inter pares (notice
the singular in I:Tim.3:1; Titus 1:7); and the office-bearers in general are...
The Bequest of Peace.
... Introduce anything discordant, ambitionalongside of indolence, a sensitive
consciencealongside of strong passions, and peace takes flight....
The Coming of the Pharaoh
... The barge of Nechutes swung into position on the left of Senci"the oars on Mentu's
boat rose and halted and the vessel drifted till it wasalongside her right...
Thesaurus
Alongside (10 Occurrences)... (adv.) Along or by the side; side by side with; -- often with of; as, bring
the boat
alongside;
alongside of him;
alongside of the tree.
...Inn (7 Occurrences)
... of the house of David; that in this they were disappointed, and had to content
themselves with the next best, the elevated platformalongside the interior of...
Aloof (15 Occurrences)
Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:6 And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand in breadth,
and five and twenty thousand in length,alongside of the holy heave...
General (9 Occurrences)
... faded into the past, "the apostles" (in the sense of the college of the Twelve,
including Paul) were raised to a preeminent positionalongside of Christ with...
Village (21 Occurrences)
... They were originally enclosures specially for cattle,alongside of which dwellings
for the herdsmen and peasantry naturally grew up (see HAZAR-ADDAR; HAZOR)....
Riches (118 Occurrences)
...Alongside this would go the Greek ploutos (Matthew 13:22 Ephesians 2:7). (2) Chocen
(Proverbs 27:24 Jeremiah 20:5), nekhacim and rekhush (Genesis 36:7 Daniel 11...
Medan (2 Occurrences)
... name may be connected with the Midianites is unlikely from the fact that in the
list of the sons of Abraham and Keturah Midian is mentionedalongside of Medan....
Maw (2 Occurrences)
... It is derived from a root designating "hollowed out." It is mentionedalongside
of the shoulder and the two cheeks of ox and sheep, which are the priest's...
Cush (31 Occurrences)
... is the canal Gu-hande or Arahtu, which, coming from the South, entered Babylon a
little to the East of the Euphrates, and, flowingalongside the Festival-Street...
Resources
What is a parable? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the gift of encouragement? | GotQuestions.orgIs there biblical support for parachurch ministries? | GotQuestions.orgAlongside: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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