Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptProgress, in a biblical context, refers to the advancement or forward movement in spiritual, moral, and sometimes material aspects of life, in alignment with God's will and purpose. It is often associated with growth, development, and the pursuit of righteousness.
Biblical FoundationsThe concept of progress is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the journey of faith is depicted as a path of continual growth and transformation. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in
Philippians 3:13-14 : "Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."
Spiritual ProgressSpiritual progress is a central theme in the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to grow in their faith and knowledge of God.
2 Peter 3:18 exhorts, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." This growth is often depicted as a journey toward maturity, as seen in
Hebrews 6:1 : "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God."
Moral and Ethical ProgressThe Bible also emphasizes moral and ethical progress, urging believers to live lives that reflect the character of Christ.
Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation is a continuous process of aligning one's life with biblical principles.
Progress in the Early ChurchThe early church provides a model of progress in faith and community life.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the believers' devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, resulting in the growth and strengthening of the church. This passage illustrates how spiritual and communal progress go hand in hand.
Challenges to ProgressWhile progress is a biblical ideal, it is not without challenges. Believers face obstacles such as sin, temptation, and persecution.
James 1:2-4 offers encouragement: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's progress.
Galatians 5:16-25 highlights the importance of walking by the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of spiritual progress. The Spirit empowers believers to overcome the desires of the flesh and to grow in Christlikeness.
Eschatological ProgressThe Bible also presents an eschatological perspective on progress, where the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan is realized in the new creation.
Revelation 21:1-4 envisions a future where God dwells with His people, and all things are made new. This ultimate progress is the culmination of God's redemptive work in history.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly use the term "progress," the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing growth in faith, character, and community as believers strive to fulfill God's purposes in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance
2. (n.) In actual space, as the progress of a ship, carriage, etc.
3. (n.) In the growth of an animal or plant; increase.
4. (n.) In business of any kind; as, the progress of a negotiation; the progress of art.
5. (n.) In knowledge; in proficiency; as, the progress of a child at school.
6. (n.) Toward ideal completeness or perfection in respect of quality or condition; -- applied to individuals, communities, or the race; as, social, moral, religious, or political progress.
7. (n.) A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
8. (v. i.) To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing.
9. (v. i.) To make improvement; to advance.
10. (v. t.) To make progress in; to pass through.
Greek
4297. prokope --progress...progress. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prokope Phonetic Spelling:
(prok-op-ay') Short Definition:
progress, advancement Definition:
progress...4298. prokopto -- to cut forward (a way), advance
... advance. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prokopto Phonetic Spelling:
(prok-op'-to) Short Definition: I advance, makeprogress Definition: (originally...
2046. ereo -- call, say, speak of, tell.
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ereo Phonetic Spelling: (er-eh'-o) Short
Definition: I say, speak Definition: (denoting speech inprogress), (a) I say...
5562. choreo -- to make room, advance, hold
... room, go, receive Definition: (lit: I make room, hence) (a) I have room for, receive,
contain, (b) I make room for by departing, go, makeprogress, turn myself...
5143. trecho -- to run
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: trecho Phonetic Spelling: (trekh'-o) Short Definition:
I run, exercise myself Definition: I run, exercise myself, makeprogress...
4197. poreia -- a journey
... Transliteration: poreia Phonetic Spelling: (por-i'-ah) Short Definition: a journey,
pursuit, undertaking Definition: a journey, pursuit, undertaking,progress....
4330. proseao -- to permit further
... permit further. From pros and eao; to permit furtherprogress -- suffer. see GREEK
pros. see GREEK eao. (proseontos) -- 1 Occurrence. 4329, 4330. proseao. 4331...
3004. lego -- to say
... to say. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lego Phonetic Spelling: (leg'-o) Short
Definition: I say, speak Definition: (denoting speech inprogress), (a) I...
3598. hodos -- a way, road
... Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, aprogress (the route, act or
distance); figuratively, a mode or means -- journey, (high-)way....
Strong's Hebrew
4794. merutsah -- a running, course... course, running. Or mrutsah {mer-oo-tsaw'}; feminine of merowts; a race (the act),
whether the manner or the
progress -- course, running. Compare mrutsah.
...Library
The Rise andProgress of Religion in the Soul
The Rise andProgress of Religion in the Soul. <. The Rise andProgress of
Religion in the Soul Philip Doddridge. Table of Contents. Title Page....
A RoyalProgress
... A ROYALPROGRESS. '... Go your way into the village over against you: and
as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt...
The Goal ofProgress
... EPHESIANS THE GOAL OFPROGRESS. 'Till we all attain unto the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full...
The Pilgrim'sProgress
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE PILGRIM'SPROGRESS. IN THE SIMILITUDE
OF A DREAM. As I walked through the wilderness of this...
The Pilgrim'sProgress
... THE PILGRIM'SPROGRESS. FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME. THE SECOND PART....
THE PILGRIM'SPROGRESS; IN THE SIMILITUDE OF A DREAM. THE SECOND PART....
TheProgress of the Gospel
... Sermon XXXII TheProgress of the Gospel. TheProgress of the Gospel Romans 10:18.
Their sound went into all the earth,. and their words unto the end of the world...
TheProgress of Freedom.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 805. " TheProgress of Freedom. 805. PM H. Ware,
Jr. TheProgress of Freedom. 1 Oppression shall not...
TheProgress of the Gospel.
... 306. " TheProgress of the Gospel. 306. 7s. M. C. Wesley. TheProgress of the Gospel.
1 See how great a flame aspires, Kindled by a spark of grace!...
TheProgress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death...
... CHAPTER IV. THEPROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL FROM THE DEATH OF CHRIST TO THE DEATH
OF THE APOSTLE JAMES, THE BROTHER OF JOHN. AD31 TO AD44....
TheProgress of Prelacy.
... SECTION III. THE WORSHIP AND CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH. CHAPTER X. THE
PROGRESS OF PRELACY. We cannot tell when the president of...
Thesaurus
Progress (9 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) In actual space, as the
progress of a ship, carriage, etc.
... 4. (n.) In business
of any kind; as, the
progress of a negotiation; the
progress of art.
...Course (87 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The ground or path traversed; track; way. 3. (n.) Motion, considered as
to its general or resultant direction or to its goal; lineprogress or advance....
Furtherance (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A helping forward; promotion; advancement;progress;
as the furtherance of an ideal. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Advance (33 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To accelerate the growth orprogress; to further; to forward; to help on;
to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's...
Stop (108 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To arrest theprogress of; to hinder; to impede; to shut in; as, to stop
a traveler; to stop the course of a stream, or a flow of blood....
Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... of the late date of most of the genealogical material in the older New Testament
books, and rests in turn on the assumption that theprogress of religious...
Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... During theprogress of this great religious revolution Jeremiah helped it on
by his earnest exhortations. Soon after this, Pharaoh-Necho II....
Way (7551 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.)Progress; as, a ship has way. 12. (n.) The timbers on which a ship is launched....
16. (vi) To move; toprogress; to go. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Improvement (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of improving; advancement or growth; promotion in desirable qualities;
progress toward what is better; melioration; as, the improvement of the...
Further (121 Occurrences)
... of prokope, "a going forward," "advance" (Philippians 1:12, "the furtherance of
the gospel," the Revised Version (British and American) "progress" Philippians 1...
Resources
What is The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is progressivism? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Bunyan? | GotQuestions.orgProgress: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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