Topical Encyclopedia
The term "permitteth" is an archaic form of the verb "permit," which means to allow or give consent to something. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God's allowance of certain events, actions, or conditions within His sovereign will. The concept of God permitting certain things, even those that may seem contrary to His nature, is a significant theme in understanding the relationship between divine sovereignty and human free will.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Free WillThe Bible presents God as sovereign, meaning He has ultimate authority and control over all creation. However, within this sovereignty, God permits human beings to exercise free will. This allowance is evident in the narrative of the Garden of Eden, where God permits Adam and Eve to choose whether to obey His command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (
Genesis 2:16-17). Their choice to disobey, while permitted by God, led to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world.
God's Permissive WillThe concept of God's permissive will is crucial in understanding why certain events occur. While God does not cause evil, He may permit it for a greater purpose or to bring about a greater good. This is seen in the account of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Although their actions were evil, God permitted it to bring about the salvation of many during a time of famine (
Genesis 50:20).
Testing and TrialsGod's permission is also evident in the testing and trials of His people. In the Book of Job, God permits Satan to test Job's faithfulness, allowing Job to endure significant suffering. Despite the trials, Job's faith remains steadfast, and he ultimately gains a deeper understanding of God's nature and sovereignty (
Job 1:12, 2:6).
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, the concept of permission is seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus speaks of the allowance of divorce due to the hardness of human hearts, though it was not God's original intention for marriage (
Matthew 19:8). The Apostle Paul also discusses the idea of permission in matters of conscience, advising believers to act according to their faith and understanding, while being considerate of others (
Romans 14:14-23).
God's Patience and LongsufferingGod's permission is often linked to His patience and longsuffering. He permits time for repentance and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. As stated in
2 Peter 3:9 , "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
ConclusionThe concept of "permitteth" in the Bible underscores the complexity of God's interaction with the world. It highlights His sovereignty, the reality of human free will, and His ultimate purpose of redemption and restoration. Through understanding what God permits, believers gain insight into His character and His overarching plan for creation.
Library
Thus Then what is Written, "The Mouth that Lieth...
... of the Lord, Who hath filled the whole earth; at the same time mentioning lips and
voice and tongue in that place; yet all these the sensepermitteth not to be...
Psalm LXII.
... Do not therefore wonder, Godpermitteth, and in judgmentpermitteth: He
permitteth, and in measure, number, weight, Hepermitteth....
John Chapter xvii. 24-26.
... there is but one Spirit, by including whom we come to the knowledge of the Trinity,
let piety believe, even though our infirmity meanwhilepermitteth us not to...
This Picus Mirandula Spake in an Oration Made Before a Most...
... Any man may perceive that hepermitteth his fancy to wander a little wantonly after
the manner of a poet but most deep and serious things are secretly hidden...
That You are a Man Should Fill You with Joys
... it. It excludeth nothing, and containeth all things, being a power that
permitteth all objects to be, and is able to enjoy them....
2 Cor. Iv. 8, 9
... For therefore, "we are delivered,"' he says, in other words, we bear about His dying
that the power of His life may be made manifest, whopermitteth not mortal...
A Lecture for Little-Faith
... it leaneth on its Beloved; casteth all the burden of its cares, sorrows, and griefs
upon that blessed shoulder, andpermitteth all its sins to he swallowed up...
The Chaff Driven Away
... He watcheth everything round about them. If pestilence stalk through the land, he
permitteth not one of its shafts to hit, unless he seeth it is for good....
Psalm CXLI.
... not another's wife; who is content with his own, or even without his own, in such
wise as is lawful, and as Apostolical disciplinepermitteth, with consent of...
2 Cor. xii. 1
... not that He doth chastise or punish, but for the time alloweth andpermitteth them.
[984]. [3.] Ver.8. "Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice."....
Thesaurus
Permitteth (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Permitteth (1 Occurrence). Job 9:18 He
permitteth me not
to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things. (YLT).
...Refresh (18 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 9:18 Hepermitteth me not to refresh my spirit,
But filleth me with bitter things. (YLT). Song of Songs 2...
Permittest (1 Occurrence)
Permitting (2 Occurrences)
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