Topical Encyclopedia
The term "confide" in a biblical context refers to placing trust or reliance on someone or something. In the Scriptures, this concept is often associated with faith and trust in God, His promises, and His providence. The Bible encourages believers to confide in the Lord rather than in human strength or wisdom.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "trust" or "confidence" is "batach." This term conveys a sense of security and assurance in God's character and His covenantal faithfulness. For instance,
Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts believers: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of confiding in God rather than relying on human understanding.
The Psalms frequently express a deep sense of trust in God.
Psalm 56:3-4 states, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Here, the psalmist demonstrates confidence in God's protection and deliverance, even in the face of fear and adversity.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek word "peitho" is often used to denote trust or confidence. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently speaks of the confidence believers can have in Christ.
Philippians 1:6 assures believers, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the assurance that God will complete the work of salvation He has started in the lives of believers.
Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages believers not to throw away their confidence, which has a great reward: "So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining trust in God's promises, especially in times of trial.
Practical ImplicationsConfiding in God involves a personal relationship with Him, characterized by prayer, obedience, and reliance on His Word. It requires believers to surrender their own understanding and control, trusting that God's plans and purposes are ultimately for their good and His glory.
Isaiah 26:3-4 offers a promise of peace for those who trust in God: "You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal."
The Bible also warns against misplaced confidence.
Jeremiah 17:5 declares, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD." This serves as a caution against relying on human wisdom or strength instead of placing full confidence in God.
In summary, the biblical concept of confide is deeply rooted in the character and promises of God. It calls believers to a life of faith, trust, and reliance on the Lord, who is faithful and unchanging.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To entrust with valuable knowledge or secrets; as, the prince confides in his ministers.
2. (v. t.) To entrust; to give in charge; to commit to one's keeping; -- followed by to.
Greek
1679. elpizo -- to expect, to hope (for)... hope, expect. From elpis; to expect or
confide -- (have, thing) hope(-d) (for),
trust. see GREEK elpis. (elpizei) -- 3 Occurrences. (elpizete) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Strong's Hebrew
2620. chasah -- to seek refuge... A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare batach); figuratively, to
confide in -- have hope, make refuge, (put) trust. see HEBREW batach. 2619, 2620.
...Library
Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life...
... constant help it needs? Can God be pleased with those who do notconfide
in Him, and who do not trust Him? Our Lord's own chiding...
The Cure of Evil-Speaking
... to him in person, or cannot have access, you may do it by a messenger; by a common
friend, in whose prudence, as well as uprightness, you can thoroughlyconfide...
Lessons.
... But it is my privilege toconfide my trouble to Thee; to know that I have surrendered
myself and all that concerns me into the hand of Him who 'considers my...
Faith and Regeneration
... I understand her by "believing," confidence in Christ, and it is surely the duty
of men toconfide in that which is worthy of confidence, and that Jesus Christ...
A Faithful Friend
... a rope of sand which shall be broken at any convenient season; but if a man have
a sincere heart within him, and be true and noble, then we mayconfide in him....
A Faithful Friend
... a rope of sand, which shall be broken at any convenient season; but if a man have
a sincere heart within him, and be true and noble, then we mayconfide in him...
The Birth of Cyrus.
... Iconfide fully in your principles of obedience and fidelity, and depend upon your
doing, yourself, with your own hands, the work that I require....
Earliest Memories
... It is to you, dear Mother, that I am about toconfide the story of my soul.... My dearest
Mother, what tender memories of Pauline I couldconfide to you here!...
Earliest Memories
... It is to you, dear Mother, that I am about toconfide the story of my soul.... My dearest
Mother, what tender memories of Pauline I couldconfide to you here!...
Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... When we seem most formally to avow God, to confess His omniscience, toconfide in
His justice, we should not really disregard Him, and in effect signify that...
Thesaurus
Confide (31 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Confide (31 Occurrences).
... 1 John 4:16 And, as for us,
we know the love which God has for us, and we
confide in it.
...Depend (12 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To trust; to rest with confidence; to rely; toconfide; to be certain; --
with on or upon; as, we depend on the word or assurance of our friends; we...
Trust (201 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) To place confidence in; to rely on, toconfide, or repose faith,
in; as, we can not trust those who have deceived us. 11....
Confided (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofConfide. Multi-Version Concordance
Confided (17 Occurrences). Galatians 2:7 but, on the...
Falsehood (107 Occurrences)
... (DBY JPS). Jeremiah 7:4Confide ye not in words of falsehood, saying, Jehovah's
temple, Jehovah's temple, Jehovah's temple is this. (DBY YLT)....
Confession (22 Occurrences)
Venture (10 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To put or send on a venture or chance; as, to venture a horse to the
West Indies. 8. (vt) Toconfide in; to rely on; to trust....
Wilfulness (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:12 Therefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel: Because ye reject this
word, andconfide in oppression and wilfulness, and depend thereon, (DBY)....
Rely (31 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Job 39:12 Wilt thouconfide in him, that he will bring home thy
seed, And gather the grain of thy threshing-floor? (See JPS)....
Distrust (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To feel lack of confidence in; not toconfide in or rely upon; to deem of
questionable sufficiency or reality; to doubt; to be suspicious of; to...
Resources
Who was Delilah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the value of having a church family? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is true friendship according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgConfide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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