Topical Encyclopedia
Concern, in a biblical context, refers to the care, anxiety, or interest one has regarding the well-being of others or oneself. It is a theme that appears throughout Scripture, reflecting both human emotions and divine care.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, concern is often depicted in the relationships between individuals and God, as well as among people. The Hebrew word often associated with concern is "דָּאַג" (da'ag), which can mean to be anxious or worried. For example, in
1 Samuel 9:5, Saul expresses concern for his father's anxiety over his prolonged absence: "When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, 'Come, let us return, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.'"
The Psalms frequently address human concerns, offering comfort and assurance of God's care.
Psalm 55:22 encourages believers to cast their burdens on the Lord: "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, concern is addressed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus speaks directly to the issue of worry and anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 6:25-34 , He instructs His followers not to be anxious about their lives, emphasizing God's provision: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
The Apostle Paul also addresses concern in his epistles. In
Philippians 4:6-7 , he advises believers: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Divine ConcernThe Bible consistently portrays God as deeply concerned for His creation. This divine concern is evident in God's covenant relationship with Israel and His ultimate plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. In
1 Peter 5:7 , believers are reminded of God's care: "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
Human Concern for OthersScripture also emphasizes the importance of concern for others. The parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the call to love and care for one's neighbor, transcending social and ethnic boundaries. The Apostle Paul, in
Galatians 6:2 , exhorts believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Balancing Concern and TrustWhile concern for others is a biblical virtue, Scripture warns against excessive worry that undermines trust in God. Believers are encouraged to balance their concerns with faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision. Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 6 and Paul's exhortation in
Philippians 4 highlight the importance of prayer and reliance on God as antidotes to anxiety.
In summary, concern in the Bible encompasses both human emotions and divine care, urging believers to trust in God's provision while actively caring for others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.
2. (v. t.) To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest; as, a good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.
3. (v. i.) To be of importance.
4. (n.) That which relates or belongs to one; business; affair.
5. (n.) That which affects the welfare or happiness; interest; moment.
6. (n.) Interest in, or care for, any person or thing; regard; solicitude; anxiety.
7. (n.) Persons connected in business; a firm and its business; as, a banking concern.
Greek
278. ametameletos -- not repented of... 278 (an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 33387, "regret") -- properly, no change
of
concern (interest), ie for an action because it was done from (true
...272. ameleo -- to be careless
... 272 (from 1 "not" and 3199 , "haveconcern, be affected") -- properly, withoutconcern,
unaffected, viewing something as being , ie without value ("of no moment...
5426. phroneo -- to have understanding, to think
... Word Origin from phren Definition to have understanding, to think NASB Word Usage
adopt...view (1), conceited* (1),concern (1), concerned (1), feel (1), have...
275. amerimnos -- free from care
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and merimna Definition free from care
NASB Word Usage free fromconcern (1), trouble (1). without care, secure....
3338. metamelomai -- to regret, repent
... 3338 (from 3326 , " being ," and 3199 , "care, be concerned with") -- properly,
to experience a change ofconcern a of emotion and usually implying , ie...
1983. episkopeo -- to look upon, fig. to care for
... caring) interest. The prefix () implies "looking with ,concern," a looking
that requires what that naturally leads to. Word Origin...
3199. melo -- to be an object of care
... take care. A primary verb; to be of interest to, ie Toconcern (only third person
singular present indicative used impersonally, it matters) -- (take) care....
3643. oligoreo -- to esteem lightly
... 3643 (from 3641 , "little in " and , "concern, care") -- properly, caring
too little ("in too few places"); to esteem , (). 3643...
4448. puroo -- to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.)
... Word Origin from pur Definition to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.) NASB Word Usage
burn (1), burning (1), flaming (1), intenseconcern (1), made to glow (1...
1932. epieikeia -- fairness, gentleness
... 1932 ("true equity") is a "sweet reasonableness" that knows when to "relax the
requirementsconcern ing others . . to carry out the of the law" (GR...
Strong's Hebrew
5869. ayin -- an eye... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition an eye NASB Word Usage appearance
(4), appeared* (1), before (3), broad (1),
concern* (1), confidence (1
...3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... accord (1), attention (4), attention* (1), bravest* (1), brokenhearted* (3), care*
(2), celebrating* (1), chests* (1), completely* (1),concern* (1), concerned...
1847. daath -- knowledge
... Word Origin from yada Definition knowledge NASB Word Usageconcern (1), know (3),
knowledge (81), premeditation (2), skill (1), truth (1), unintentionally* (2...
3045. yada -- to know
... 1), aware (6), becomes known (1), bring forth (1), cared (1), chosen (2), clearly
understand (2), cohabit (1), comprehend (1),concern (2), concerned (1...
1674. deagah -- anxiety, anxious care
... Word Origin from daag Definition anxiety, anxious care NASB Word Usage anxiety
(5),concern (1). carefulness, fear, heaviness, sorrow....
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, +
chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), +concern(-ing), + confer...
4639. maaseh -- a deed, work
... 1), achievements (1), act (1), act...did (1), actions (1), activities (2), activity
(3), art (1), business (1), chainwork* (1),concern (1), conduct (1), deed...
2347. chus -- to pity, look upon with compassion
... Word Origin from the same as chum Definition to pity, look upon with compassion
NASB Word Usageconcern* (1), had compassion (1), have compassion (3), have...
2550. chamal -- to spare
... root Definition to spare NASB Word Usageconcern (1), desires (1), had compassion
(2), had pity (1), had...compassion (2), have compassion (1), have pity (4...
7879. siach -- complaint, musing
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition complaint, musing NASB Word Usage
complaining (1), complaint (8),concern (1), meditation (1), occupied (1), talk (...
Library
On the Decrees of God whichConcern the Salvation of Sinful Men...
... FIFTH PART ON THE DECREES OF GOD WHICHCONCERN THE SALVATION OF SINFUL MEN,
ACCORDING TO HIS OWN SENSE. The first decree concerning...
The Excess of his PiousConcern Caused Him to Shed Tears; and his...
... Book II. Chapter LXXII."The Excess of his PiousConcern caused him to shed Tears;
and his Intended Journey to the East was postponed because of These Things....
Methodist BookConcern
... Volume IV. FROM THE YEAR 1829 TO THE YEAR 1840. CHAPTER 16 Methodist Book
Concern. I. Historical sketch of theConcern. " In vol....
Of David'sConcern in the Writing of the Psalms.
... Book XVII. Chapter 14."Of David'sConcern in the Writing of the Psalms. In
the progress of the city of God through the ages, therefore...
TheConcern of Jesus' Friends.
... GROWING POPULARITY AND RISING OPPOSITION THECONCERN OF JESUS' FRIENDS. And
he cometh into a house. And the multitude cometh together...
As, Then, by the Higher Mystical Ascent from Matters thatConcern...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter II. As, then, by the higher mystical ascent
from matters thatconcern ourselves to that transcendent?...
That no Determination Should be Made on those Things whichConcern...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XXX. That no determination should be
made on those things whichconcern the needs of the common life....
Saw Moreover that it did not So MuchConcern us what Objects were...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 68 I saw moreover that it did not so muchconcern us what
objects were before us. I saw moreover that it did not...
When, and in what Things this Obedience Doth MostConcern the...
... and External Penance. CHAP. XI. When, and in what things this Obedience
doth mostconcern the interior Soul. 80. That you may know...
Book vi
... BookConcern " its origin; first book published; others issued; death of John Dickins,
the first book steward; succeeded by Ezekiel Cooper; John Wilson his...
Thesaurus
Concern (35 Occurrences)... 7. (n.) Persons connected in business; a firm and its business; as, a banking
concern. Multi-Version Concordance
Concern (35 Occurrences).
...Careful (130 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Full of care; anxious; solicitous. 2. (a.) Filling with care or
solicitude; exposing toconcern, anxiety, or trouble; painful....
Care (466 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A burdensome sense of responsibility; trouble
caused by onerous duties; anxiety;concern; solicitude....
Carefulness (6 Occurrences)
... "Thy father hath left off caring for the asses,"concern about them literally... 2.
Verbs: In the Old Testament (da'agh, "to haveconcern or anxiety for")....
Concerning
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofConcern.... 3. (a.) Important. 4.
(n.) That in which one is concerned or interested;concern; affair; interest....
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The quality of being jealous; earnestconcern or
solicitude... In the good sense, it refers to an ardentconcern for God's honor....
Interest (35 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; toconcern; to excite; --
often used impersonally. 3. (n.) To cause or permit to share....
Tender (66 Occurrences)
... sympathetic. 13. (superl.) Exciting kindconcern; dear; precious. 14.
(superl... vessel. 19. (n.) Regard; care; kindconcern. 20. (vt...
Business (147 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor
of any one, as his principalconcern or interest, whether for a longer or...
Dictionaries
... A Complete Index and Concise Dictionary of the Holy Bible. New York: Methodist Book
Concern, 1852.... London: Nelson; New York: Methodist BookConcern, 1893....
Resources
What is the Walk to Emmaus / Emmaus Walk, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being nosey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “Woman, behold your son” on the cross? | GotQuestions.orgConcern: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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