Topical Encyclopedia
The term "partaken" in the biblical context often refers to the act of sharing or participating in something, particularly in a spiritual or communal sense. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament and is significant in understanding the communal and spiritual life of believers.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Communion with Christ: One of the most profound uses of "partaken" is in the context of the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in the body and blood of Christ. This act symbolizes unity with Christ and with one another. In
1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" . Here, "participation" is synonymous with partaking, emphasizing the shared experience and spiritual nourishment derived from this sacrament.
2.
Sharing in Suffering and Glory: Believers are also called to partake in the sufferings of Christ, which is seen as a pathway to sharing in His glory. In
1 Peter 4:13, it is written, "But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory" . This sharing in suffering is not merely an endurance of hardship but a participation in the redemptive work of Christ, leading to future glorification.
3.
Partakers of the Divine Nature: The concept extends to the transformative aspect of the Christian life. In
2 Peter 1:4, believers are described as partakers of the divine nature: "Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" . This participation implies a moral and spiritual transformation, aligning believers with God's character and purposes.
4.
Fellowship with the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of a believer, and partaking in the Spirit is essential for spiritual growth and empowerment.
Hebrews 6:4 mentions those "who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit" . This sharing or partaking signifies an intimate relationship with the Spirit, enabling believers to live out their faith effectively.
5.
Community and Fellowship: The early church exemplified the concept of partaking through communal living and fellowship.
Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" . This communal aspect of partaking highlights the importance of unity and mutual support within the body of Christ.
Theological ImplicationsThe act of partaking is not merely a ritualistic or symbolic gesture but a profound expression of faith and unity with Christ and His body, the Church. It encompasses both the privileges and responsibilities of being a follower of Christ. By partaking in the sacraments, sufferings, and divine nature, believers are called to live out their faith in a manner that reflects their identity in Christ and their commitment to His mission.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. p.) of Partake.
Library
Concerning those who havePartaken at a Heathen Feast in a Place...
... Canon VII. Concerning those who havepartaken at a heathen feast in a
place appointed for heathens? Concerning those who have...
Celsus, Again, Brings Together a Number of Statements, which He...
... But "God does not partake even of substance." [4614] For He ispartaken of (by others)
rather than that Himself partakes of them, and He ispartaken of by...
The Fast must not be Broken on the Fifth Day of the Last Week In.....
... been fasting. Must we then censure the Universal Church because the sacrament
is everywherepartaken of by persons fasting? Nay, verily...
Whether Whatever in the Body Belonged to the Truth of Human Nature...
... Objection 4: Further, if it be said that not all the fleshpartaken of belongs to
the truth of human nature and that consequently some of it may possibly rise...
Subject Continued. Objection, that the Son's Eternity Makes Him...
... irreligious, when the Father says, This is My Beloved Son [1927] ,' and when the
Son says that God is His own Father, it follows that what ispartaken is not...
Letter Liv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... Hence the apostle says that it was unworthilypartaken of by those who did not
distinguish between this and all other meats, by yielding to it the special...
Objection from the Fact that Some Human Bodies have Become Part of...
... for human food, which have fed on the bodies of men, pass through their stomach,
and become incorporated with the bodies of those who havepartaken of them, it...
In common with the Roman Church, the Greek Church has seven...
... and this is an important difference) the bread and wine become the precious Body
and the precious Blood of our Lord; and when they arepartaken of, are as fire...
The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper.
... of the Church's first, entertainment; that, where the Holy Supper was instituted
with the Apostles, also that, where it was afterwards firstpartaken of by the...
The Old Man Gives Information in Regard to Faustus the Father of...
... I shed tears along with him, and, dismissing the multitudes, I came to you, in order
that I might take counsel with you after we hadpartaken of food [1209...
Thesaurus
Partaken (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) of Partake. Multi-Version Concordance
Partaken (2 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding people to
...Partaker (10 Occurrences)
Partake (19 Occurrences)
Insisting (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods
which God has created to bepartaken of, with thankfulness, by those who...
Feast (209 Occurrences)
... abundance of food. 3. (n.) That which ispartaken of, or shared in, with delight;
something highly agreeable; entertainment. 4. (n.) To...
Table (125 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) Hence, food placed on a table to bepartaken of; fare; entertainment; as,
to set a good table. 12. (n.) The company assembled round a table. 13....
Thankfulness (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods
which God has created to bepartaken of, with thankfulness, by those who...
Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... Havingpartaken of the provision thus miraculously supplied, he went forward on
his solitary way for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God...
Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... This drugged wine was probablypartaken of by the two malefactors, but when the
Roman soldiers pressed it upon Jesus "he received it not" (Mark 15:23)....
Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... John 12:2). These meals were in the days of Christ usually called "suppers," after
the custom of the Romans, and werepartaken of toward the close of the day....
Resources
Is baptism required before a person can receive communion? | GotQuestions.orgPartaken: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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