Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, "ceasing" often refers to the act of stopping or coming to an end. This concept is significant in various contexts throughout Scripture, encompassing themes of rest, cessation of work, and the end of certain practices or behaviors.
Sabbath Rest and Ceasing from LaborThe idea of ceasing is prominently featured in the context of the Sabbath. In
Genesis 2:2-3, God Himself sets the precedent for ceasing from labor: "By the seventh day God had completed His work that He had been doing, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." This divine rest serves as a model for humanity, as seen in the Fourth Commandment, which instructs the Israelites to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy by ceasing from their labors (
Exodus 20:8-11).
Ceasing from SinThe New Testament encourages believers to cease from sin as part of their sanctification process. In
1 Peter 4:1-2, the apostle Peter writes, "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God." Here, ceasing from sin is linked to living a life that aligns with God's will, emphasizing a transformation that occurs through Christ's example and suffering.
Ceasing in PrayerThe concept of ceasing is also addressed in the context of prayer. In
1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul exhorts believers to "pray without ceasing." This directive highlights the importance of maintaining a continual attitude of prayer and communion with God, rather than a literal, uninterrupted verbal prayer. It suggests a lifestyle of constant awareness and dependence on God, integrating prayer into every aspect of life.
Ceasing of Prophecies and TonguesIn
1 Corinthians 13:8, Paul speaks of the ceasing of certain spiritual gifts: "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed." This passage is often interpreted to mean that certain gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy and tongues, will cease when their purpose is fulfilled, particularly in the context of the coming of the perfect, which many understand as the return of Christ or the completion of God's revelation.
Ceasing of Wars and StrifeThe Psalms also speak of God causing wars to cease.
Psalm 46:9 declares, "He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire." This imagery portrays God's sovereignty and power to bring an end to conflict, offering hope for peace and divine intervention in times of turmoil.
Ceasing in the Eschatological ContextIn the eschatological context, ceasing can refer to the end of the current age and the cessation of the world as it is known.
Revelation 21:4 speaks of a future where certain things will cease: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This promise of a new creation where suffering ceases is a cornerstone of Christian hope.
In summary, the concept of ceasing in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the cessation of labor and sin to the end of spiritual gifts and the ultimate cessation of suffering in the eschatological future. Each instance underscores a deeper theological truth about God's purposes and the believer's journey toward holiness and eternal rest.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cease.
Greek
89. adialeiptos -- incessantly... Word Origin adverb from adialeiptos Definition incessantly NASB Word Usage constantly
(2), unceasingly (1), without
ceasing (1). without
ceasing.
...1618. ektenes -- stretched, fig. zealous, earnest
... zealous, earnest NASB Word Usage fervent (1). withoutceasing, fervent. From
ekteino; intent -- withoutceasing, fervent. see GREEK ekteino....
180. akatapaustos -- incessant
... incessant. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akatapaustos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-at-ap'-ow-stos) Short Definition: notceasing from, not abandoning...
88. adialeiptos -- incessant
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and dialeipo Definition incessant NASB
Word Usage constantly (1), unceasing (1). withoutceasing, continual....
Strong's Hebrew
657. ephes -- aceasing... 656, 657. ephes. 658 . a
ceasing. Transliteration: ephes Phonetic Spelling:
(eh'-fes) Short Definition: ends. Word Origin from aphes
...2308. chadal -- to cease
... root Definition to cease NASB Word Usage cease (10), ceased (8),ceasing (1), deserted
(1), fail (1), failed (1), gave (1), hold back (1), leave (5), let my...
2310. chadel -- forbearing, lacking
... he that forbears, frail, rejected. From chadal; vacant, ieCeasing or destitute --
he that forbeareth, frail, rejected. see HEBREW chadal. 2309, 2310....
1826a. damam -- to be or grow dumb, silent or still
... root Definition to be or grow dumb, silent or still NASB Word Usageceasing (1),
destroyed (1), doomed (1), have...rest (1), keeps silent (1), kept silent (3...
Library
"Pray WithoutCeasing"
... "Pray WithoutCeasing". A Sermon (No.1039).... CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle,
Newington. "Pray withoutceasing.""1 Thessalonians 5:17....
Pray WithoutCeasing
... PRAY WITHOUTCEASING. HELPS TO INTERCESSION. PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER
AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT AND WATCHING THEREUNTO...
Thirty-First Lesson. Pray WithoutCeasing;'
... THIRTY-FIRST LESSON. Pray withoutceasing;'. Pray withoutceasing;' Or,
A Life of Prayer. Rejoice evermore. Pray withoutceasing....
Pray WithoutCeasing.
... CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND LIFE. 373. " Pray withoutceasing. 373. 7s. &
6s. M. Edin. Lit. Review. Pray withoutceasing. 1 Go when...
November 10. "But Prayer was Made WithoutCeasing, of the Church...
... "But prayer was made withoutceasing, of the church unto God for him" (Acts xii.
5).... "But prayer was made unto God withoutceasing." And what the sequel?...
My God, WithoutCeasing, I Will Tread the Threshold of Thy House
... Hymn IV. My God, withoutceasing, I will tread the threshold of Thy house.
1. My God, withoutceasing, I will tread the threshold...
January 21. "Pray WithoutCeasing" (I. Thess. v. 17).
... JANUARY 21. "Pray withoutceasing" (I. Thess. v. 17). "Pray withoutceasing"
(I. Thess. v.17). An important help in the life of...
Commandment Ninth. Prayer must be Made to God WithoutCeasing, and...
... The Pastor: Book Second."Commandments. Commandment Ninth. Prayer Must Be
Made to God WithoutCeasing, and with Unwavering Confidence....
M. Anonymous. Pray WithoutCeasing.
... II. GOD. 97. 7 & 6s. M. Anonymous. Pray WithoutCeasing. 1 Go when the
morning shineth, Go when the noon is bright, Go when the...
Helps to Intercession
... Pray withoutCeasing.="Who can do this? How can one do it who is surrounded by the
cares of daily life?"How can a mother love her child withoutceasing?...
Thesaurus
Ceasing (15 Occurrences)...Ceasing (15 Occurrences).
... (YLT). Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but
prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him. (KJV DBY WBS).
...Ceaseth (21 Occurrences)
Worketh (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God withoutceasing, because,
when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as...
Inspired (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering withoutceasing your work of faith and labor of
love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father....
Instruct (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh
inceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the...
Failing (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh
inceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the...
Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The quality of being forgetful; proneness to let slip from the mind. 2.
(n.) Loss of remembrance or recollection; aceasing to remember; oblivion....
Remembering (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering withoutceasing your work of faith and labor of
love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father....
Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; with my hand uplifted, mine
eye streameth in the night withoutceasing; my soul refuseth to be comforted....
Extinction (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) State of being extinguished or ofceasing to be; destruction; suppression;
as, the extinction of life, of a family, of a quarrel, of claim....
Resources
What does it mean to pray without ceasing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the gift of speaking in tongues? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Jesus Prayer? | GotQuestions.orgCeasing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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