Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "avail" is often used in the context of effectiveness or benefit. In biblical terms, it refers to the ability or power to produce a desired effect or result. The concept of availing is frequently associated with prayer, faith, and righteous living, emphasizing the spiritual efficacy of these practices.
Biblical References:The word "avail" is notably used in the New Testament, particularly in the context of prayer and righteousness. One of the most cited verses is
James 5:16, which states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail" . This verse underscores the belief that the prayers of those who live righteously are powerful and effective, capable of bringing about significant change or intervention from God.
Theological Significance:In the Bible, the concept of availing is closely tied to the idea of divine intervention and the power of faith. The effectiveness of prayer is not merely in the act itself but in the righteousness and faith of the one who prays. This reflects a broader biblical theme that God responds to the faithful and the righteous, granting their requests when they align with His will.
Related Concepts:1.
Faith: The Bible frequently links the effectiveness of prayer and actions to the faith of the believer.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that "without faith it is impossible to please God" , suggesting that faith is a crucial component in availing oneself of God's promises and power.
2.
Righteousness: The effectiveness of prayer is often associated with the righteousness of the individual. The Bible teaches that living a life in accordance with God's commandments enhances the efficacy of one's prayers and actions.
3.
Intercession: The concept of availing is also related to intercessory prayer, where believers pray on behalf of others. The Bible provides numerous examples of intercessory prayer, highlighting its power and effectiveness in bringing about God's intervention.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to live righteously and maintain a strong faith to ensure their prayers and actions avail much. This involves a commitment to following God's commandments, engaging in regular prayer, and trusting in God's will and timing. The assurance that their efforts and prayers can avail much serves as a motivation for Christians to persevere in their spiritual disciplines.
Historical Context:Throughout church history, the concept of availing has been a source of encouragement and motivation for believers. The early church fathers and later theologians have often emphasized the power of prayer and righteous living as means to avail oneself of God's grace and intervention. This has been a consistent theme in Christian teaching and practice, reinforcing the importance of a devout and faithful life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
2. (v. t.) To promote; to assist.
3. (v. i.) To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease.
4. (n.) Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail.
5. (n.) Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.
6. (v. t. & i.) See Avale, v.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AVAILa-val' shawah, ("to be equal," hence "to be enough," "to avail"): Used in the sense of "satisfy" (Esther 5:13). Queen Esther's exceptional favor availed not to satisfy Haman, because of his insane jealousy of his rival Mordecai. ischuo, "to be strong.," translated also "prevail" (Revelation 12:8); with a negative signifies incompetence, e.g. the impossibility of redemptivc merit or power in an outward ceremony or act (Galatians 5:6;Galatians 6:15 the King James Version): "neither circumcision availcth anything," contrasted with the efficacy of faith "in Christ Jesus." Used also to express the efficacy of prayer (James 5:16).
Greek
2001. epischuo -- to grow stronger... grow fiercer. From epi and ischuo; to
avail further, ie (figuratively) insist
stoutly -- be the more fierce. see GREEK epi. see GREEK ischuo.
...714. arkeo -- to assist, suffice
... a primary verb (but probably akin to airo through the idea of raising a barrier);
properly, to ward off, ie (by implication) toavail (figuratively, be...
2480. ischuo -- to be strong, have power
... From ischus; to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively) -- be able,
avail, can do(-not), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole...
1884. eparkeo -- accursed
... relieve, assist From epi and arkeo; toavail for, ie Help -- relieve. see GREEK
epi. see GREEK arkeo. (eparkeito) -- 1 Occurrence. (eparkese) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
3132. Yoelah -- "may Heavail," one of David's heroes... 3131, 3132. Yoelah. 3133 . "may He
avail," one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Yoelah Phonetic Spelling: (yo-ay-law') Short Definition: Joelah.
...7737. shavah -- to agree with, be like, resemble
... 7736, 7737. shavah. 7737a . to agree with, be like, resemble. Transliteration:
shavah Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-vaw') Short Definition:avail....
6965. qum -- to arise, stand up, stand
... Usage accomplished (1), accuses (1), arise (103), arise and let us go (1), arisen
(1), arises (6), arose (136), assailants (1), assume (1),avail (1), brighter...
3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit
... root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Word Usageavail (1), furnish
the slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17), profitable (1), slightest...
Library
Whether IndulgencesAvail Religious?
... OF THOSE WHOM INDULGENCESAVAIL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether indulgencesavail religious?
Objection 1: It would seem that indulgences do notavail religious....
Whether SuffragesAvail the Children who are in Limbo?
... OF THE SUFFRAGES FOR THE DEAD (FOURTEEN ARTICLES) Whether suffragesavail the children
who are in limbo?... Therefore the suffrages of the Churchavail them....
Of those whom IndulgencesAvail (Four Articles)
... OF THOSE WHOM INDULGENCESAVAIL (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider those whom
indulgencesavail: under which head there are four points of inquiry:...
Whether the Aforesaid WorksAvail for the Mitigation of the Pains...
... Whether the aforesaid worksavail for the mitigation of the pains of hell?
Objection 1: It would seem that the aforesaid works do...
Whether General SuffragesAvail those for whom Special Suffrages...
... OF THE SUFFRAGES FOR THE DEAD (FOURTEEN ARTICLES) Whether general suffragesavail
those for whom special suffrages are not offered, as much as special...
Whether Previous Satisfaction Begins toAvail after Man is...
... Whether previous satisfaction begins toavail after man is restored to charity?...
Therefore they begin toavail after he recovers charity....
Christ's Incarnation was ofAvail to the Fathers, Even Though it...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 31."Christ's Incarnation Was ofAvail
to the Fathers, Even Though It Had Not Yet Happened. By...
How a Fortunate Issue Will be of noAvail to Evil Doers, While Bad...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XII. How a fortunate issue will be of no
avail to evil doers, while bad deeds will not injure good men....
The Word, Since Death Alone could Stay the Plague, Took a Mortal...
... Section 9. The Word, since death alone could stay the plague, took a mortal body
which, united with Him, shouldavail for all, and by partaking of His...
The Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ Will notAvail for...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 13 [XI.]"The Sacrifice of the Body
and Blood of Christ Will NotAvail for Unbaptized Persons, and Can Not Be...
Thesaurus
Avail (15 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit;
to help; as, artifices will not
avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
...Profit (143 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences; benefit;
avail; gain; as, an office of profit,. 3. (n.) To be of...
Available (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Such as one mayavail one's self of; capable of being used for the
accomplishment of a purpose; usable; profitable; advantageous; convertible into...
Help (1694 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To furnish with relief, as in pain or disease; to be ofavail against; --
sometimes with of before a word designating the pain or disease, and...
Use (620 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To make use of; to convert to one's service; toavail one's self of; to
employ; to put a purpose; as, to use a plow; to use a chair; to use time; to...
Joelah (1 Occurrence)
... jo-e'-la (yo`e'lah, perhaps = yo`elah, "may heavail!"): One of David's recruits
at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:7 (Hebrew 8)); a Benjamite or perhaps a Judean (see...
Go (17871 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To proceed or tend toward a result, consequence, or product; to tend; to
conduce; to be an ingredient; toavail; to apply; to contribute; -- often with...
Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... doctrines; and `preaching the gospel' is often used to include not only the proclaiming
of the good tidings, but the teaching men how toavail themselves of...
Works (379 Occurrences)
... faith to be real and vital. "Dead works"avail nothing (compare Hebrews 9:14;
Hebrews 10:24). Judgment is according to "works" (Matthew...
Triumph (52 Occurrences)
... in getting Cleopatra into his power. She had hoped to subdue him by her
charms, but withoutavail. Aware that she was doomed, she...
Resources
What is the Catholic sacrament of Holy Eucharist? | GotQuestions.orgDid God use the "Big Bang" to create the universe? | GotQuestions.orgDid Christ die for all sin except for the sin of unbelief? | GotQuestions.orgAvail: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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