Topical Encyclopedia
The term "eagerly" in the context of the Bible often conveys a sense of anticipation, zeal, and earnest desire. It reflects an attitude of readiness and enthusiasm, particularly in relation to spiritual matters and the fulfillment of God's promises. This entry explores the biblical usage of "eagerly" and its implications for the believer's life.
Biblical Usage:1.
Eager Expectation of Christ's Return: The New Testament frequently uses the concept of eagerness in relation to the anticipation of Jesus Christ's second coming. In
Philippians 3:20, the Apostle Paul writes, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" . This passage highlights the believer's longing for the return of Christ, emphasizing a forward-looking faith that is characterized by hope and anticipation.
2.
Eager Desire for Spiritual Gifts: In
1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul encourages the church in Corinth to "Pursue love, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" . Here, eagerness is associated with the pursuit of spiritual gifts that edify the church. This eagerness is not for personal gain but for the building up of the body of Christ, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes.
3.
Eager Service and Good Works:Titus 2:14 speaks of Jesus Christ, "who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" . The term "zealous" here can be understood as being eager to do good works. This eagerness is a response to the grace of God, manifesting in a life dedicated to serving others and glorifying God through actions.
4.
Eager Longing for Redemption: In
Romans 8:19, Paul describes creation's anticipation: "The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God" . This eager expectation reflects a deep longing for the ultimate redemption and restoration that God has promised. It underscores the hope that believers and all of creation have in God's redemptive plan.
Theological Implications:Eagerness in the biblical sense is deeply rooted in faith and hope. It is an attitude that reflects a heart aligned with God's will and purposes. For the believer, eagerness is not merely an emotional response but a spiritual posture that influences actions and decisions. It is a demonstration of trust in God's promises and a commitment to living out one's faith actively and expectantly.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate an eager heart in their walk with God. This involves:
·
Anticipating Christ's Return: Living with the awareness that Jesus could return at any moment, motivating a life of holiness and readiness.
·
Pursuing Spiritual Growth: Actively seeking spiritual gifts and opportunities to serve within the church, contributing to the edification of the body of Christ.
·
Engaging in Good Works: Demonstrating eagerness through acts of service and love, reflecting the character of Christ to the world.
·
Longing for Redemption: Holding onto the hope of God's ultimate redemption, allowing it to shape one's perspective and endurance through trials.
In summary, "eagerly" in the biblical context is a call to live with anticipation and zeal, rooted in the promises of God and the hope of His eternal plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In an eager manner.
Greek
553. apekdechomai -- to awaiteagerly... to await
eagerly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apekdechomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I expect
eagerly, wait for
...4290. prothumos --eagerly
...eagerly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: prothumos Phonetic Spelling:
(proth-oo'-moce) Short Definition: readily Definition: readily,eagerly, with a...
4709. spoudaios -- with haste, diligently
... Word Origin adverb from spoudaios Definition with haste, diligently NASB Word Usage
all the moreeagerly (1), diligently (1),eagerly (1), earnestly (1), more...
2206. zeloo -- to be jealous
... Word Origin from zelos Definition to be jealous NASB Word Usage am jealous (1),
becoming jealous (1), desire earnestly (2),eagerly seek (1),eagerly sought (1...
1934. epizeteo -- to inquire for
... Word Origin from epi and zeteo Definition to inquire for NASB Word Usage craves
(1),eagerly seek (2), searched (1), searching (1), seek (2), seeking (3...
5389. philotimeomai -- to love or seek after honor
... philotimeomai Phonetic Spelling: (fil-ot-im-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I desire
very strongly Definition: I am zealous, striveeagerly, desire very strongly...
2207. zelotes -- zealous
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: zelotes Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay-lo-tace') Short Definition: a zealot Definition: one who iseagerly devoted...
4692. speudo -- to hasten, urge on
... Probably strengthened from pous; to "speed" ("study"), ie Urge on (diligently or
earnestly); by implication, to awaiteagerly -- (make, with) haste unto....
4706. spoudaioteron -- diligently, promptly
... spoudaioteron Phonetic Spelling: (spoo-dah-yot'-er-on) Short Definition: more
diligently Definition: more diligently, earnestly,eagerly, zealously....
2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize
... win (1). apprehend, attain, overtake. From kata and lambano; to takeeagerly,
ie Seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively...
Strong's Hebrew
6960a. qavah -- to wait for... root Definition to wait for NASB Word Usage
eagerly waits (1), expect (1), expected
(3), hope (3), hoped (1), hopefully wait (1), hoping (1), look (1), look
...1942. havvah -- desire, chasm, destruction
... From hava' (in the sense ofeagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication, of
falling); desire; also ruin -- calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous...
7602. sha'aph -- to gasp, pant, pant after, long for
... A primitive root; to inhaleeagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to
be angry; also to hasten -- desire (earnestly), devour, haste, pant, snuff up...
5042. naba -- to flow, spring, bubble up
... root Definition to flow, spring, bubble up NASB Word Usage belch forth (1), bubbling
(1),eagerly utter (1), pour (1), pour forth (1), pours (1), pours forth (1...
Library
MostEagerly Then did I Seize that Venerable Writing of Thy Spirit...
... Book VII Chapter XXI Mosteagerly then did I seize that venerable writing
of Thy Spirit? Mosteagerly then did I seize that venerable...
Further Explanation of the Same Subject; Explains this Prayer. The...
... THIS PRAYER. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON ONE'S GUARD, AS THE DEVILEAGERLY
DESIRES TO TURN SOULS BACK FROM THE RIGHT PATH. FURTHER...
And on the Day Following He Went Forth Still MoreEagerly Bent on...
... Life of Antony. Section 11. And on the day following he went forth still
moreeagerly bent on the? 11. And on the day following...
Gold-Exchanged Lives.
... side. The men and women into whose lives we have been exchanging it will
beeagerly looking for us as the ship pulls into port....
The Broken Tryst.
... We may easily think met Himeagerly, jubilantly, with glad, free, open face and
clinging hands.... So He starts at onceeagerly, insistently to find the man....
The Lone Man who Went Before
... Men cameeagerly wherever they could find Him.... But her companion, by and by, called
from the top of the low hill andeagerly beckoned her to come up....
"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious...
... Do you not fear, and hasten to learn of Him,"that is, to salvation,"dreading wrath,
loving grace,eagerly striving after the hope set before us, that you...
The Story of David
... "Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him unto me," he saideagerly....
"Were they well?" heeagerly asked them; "and what were they doing?"....
Some Refinements in Dress and Personal Appearance Lawful, Some...
... Our servants borrow nothing from our personal enemies: soldierseagerly desire nothing
from the foes of their own general; for, to demand for (your own) use...
Chapter thirteen
... The after-meeting at the First Church was noweagerly established.... All the rest were
listeningeagerly. "There are a good many different reasons....
Thesaurus
Eagerly (36 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Eagerly (36 Occurrences).
... Matthew 26:49 So he went straight
to Jesus and said, "Peace to you, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him
eagerly. (WEY).
...Eagerness (6 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly buteagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (See NAS)....
Eager (43 Occurrences)
... Exercise the oversight not reluctantly buteagerly, in accordance with the will
of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; (Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Eye-witnesses (4 Occurrences)
... John 4:45 When however He reached Galilee, the Galilaeans welcomed Himeagerly,
having been eye-witnesses of all that He had done in Jerusalem at the Festival...
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Romans 8:19 For all creation, gazingeagerly as if with outstretched neck,
is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God....
Waiting (274 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:19 For all creation, gazingeagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting
and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. (WEY BBE)....
Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY). James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, until the Coming of the
Lord. Notice howeagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop!...
Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house" (Luke
19:5). The offer thus frankly made by Jesus was acceptedeagerly and gladly...
Outstretched (40 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 8:19 For all creation, gazingeagerly as if with outstretched neck,
is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. (WEY)....
Legends (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 1:16 For when we made known to you the power and Coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, we were noteagerly following cleverly devised legends, but we had...
Resources
What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that all creation groans (Romans 8:22)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to love God? | GotQuestions.orgEagerly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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