Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "easy" in the Bible often relates to the idea of simplicity, lack of difficulty, or relief from burdens. While the term itself may not frequently appear in the text, the underlying principles are evident throughout Scripture. The Bible presents a worldview where ease is not always the norm, but rather a state that can be achieved through faith, obedience, and reliance on God.
Ease in the Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, the notion of ease is often associated with peace and rest, particularly in the context of the Promised Land. For example, God promises the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey, a place where they can find rest from their enemies and live in peace (
Exodus 3:8). This promise of ease is contingent upon their obedience to God's commandments.
The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, also touches on the concept of ease.
Proverbs 3:17 states, "Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace." Here, wisdom is personified, and following her leads to a life of ease and peace. This ease is not merely the absence of difficulty but a harmonious life aligned with God's will.
Ease in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, Jesus speaks directly to the concept of ease in
Matthew 11:28-30 : "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Here, Jesus offers spiritual ease to those who are burdened by the weight of sin and the demands of the law. His invitation is to a life of discipleship that, while requiring commitment, offers a profound sense of peace and rest.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the idea of ease in the context of contentment and reliance on God's strength. In
Philippians 4:11-13 , Paul writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul's contentment, and thus his ease, comes from his reliance on Christ, regardless of external circumstances.
Spiritual EaseThe Bible teaches that true ease is found in a relationship with God. This ease is not necessarily the absence of trials or challenges but a state of inner peace and assurance that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty and provision. The Psalms frequently reflect this theme, as seen in
Psalm 23:1-3 : "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His name."
Ease and the Christian LifeFor Christians, the pursuit of ease is not about seeking a life free from hardship but about finding rest in God's promises and strength. The Christian life involves taking up one's cross (
Matthew 16:24), yet it is also marked by the peace that surpasses all understanding (
Philippians 4:7). Believers are encouraged to cast their anxieties on God, who cares for them (
1 Peter 5:7), and to find their ultimate rest in Him.
In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the reality of life's difficulties, it offers a path to spiritual ease through faith, wisdom, and reliance on God's grace. This ease is characterized by peace, contentment, and a deep sense of rest in the presence of the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) At ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint
2. (v. t.) Free from pain, distress, toil, exertion, and the like; quiet; as, the patient is easy.
3. (v. t.) Free from care, responsibility, discontent, and the like; not anxious; tranquil; as, an easy mind.
4. (v. t.) Free from constraint, harshness, or formality; unconstrained; smooth; as, easy manners; an easy style.
5. (v. t.) Not causing, or attended with, pain or disquiet, or much exertion; affording ease or rest; as, an easy carriage; a ship having an easy motion; easy movements, as in dancing.
6. (v. t.) Not difficult; requiring little labor or effort; slight; inconsiderable; as, an easy task; an easy victory.
7. (v. t.) Causing ease; giving freedom from care or labor; furnishing comfort; commodious; as, easy circumstances; an easy chair or cushion.
8. (v. t.) Not making resistance or showing unwillingness; tractable; yielding; complying; ready.
9. (v. t.) Moderate; sparing; frugal.
10. (v. t.) Not straitened as to money matters; as, the market is easy; -- opposed to tight.
Greek
1645. elaphros -- light,easy to bear... light,
easy to bear. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: elaphros Phonetic
Spelling: (el-af-ros') Short Definition: light, not burdensome Definition
...5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... Word Origin adjective from chraomai Definition serviceable, good NASB Word Usage
easy (1), good (2), kind (2), kindness (2). better,easy, gracious, kind....
4467. rhadiourgema -- a reckless act, a crime
... Word Origin from a comp. of rhadios (easy, reckless) and ergon Definition
a reckless act, a crime NASB Word Usage crime (1). lewdness....
2138. eupeithes -- constantly attendant
... 2138 (from 2095 , "well" and 3982 , "persuade") -- properly, "well-persuaded," ,
ie willing (pre-disposed, favorable to);easy to come to terms with ....
2154. eusemos -- clear
...easy to be understood. From eu and the base of semaino; well indicated, ie
(figuratively) significant --easy to be understood. see GREEK eu. see GREEK semaino....
2123. eukopoteros -- with easier labor
... easier. Word Origin cptv. of eukopos (easy); from eu and kopos Definition
with easier labor NASB Word Usage easier (7). easier....
1387. dolioo -- to deceive
... (This makes them "easy prey" to .) See 1388 (). Word Origin from dolios Definition
to deceive NASB Word Usage deceiving (1). use deceit....
3977. pedinos -- level, plain
... level, a plain. From a derivative of pous (meaning the ground); level (aseasy for
the feet) -- plain. see GREEK pous. (pedinou) -- 1 Occurrence. 3976, 3977....
3873. parakeimai -- to lie beside, be present
... be present. From para and keimai; to lie near, ie Be at hand (figuratively, be
prompt oreasy) -- be present. see GREEK para. see GREEK keimai....
Strong's Hebrew
1951. hun -- to beeasy... to be
easy. Transliteration: hun Phonetic Spelling: (hoon) Short Definition:
easy.
... root Definition to be
easy NASB Word Usage regarded it as
easy (1). be ready.
...7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... 1), contempt (1), contemptible (1), curse (15), cursed (16), curses (8), cursing
(2), despise (1), despised (2), ease (1), easier (1),easy (2), insignificant...
Library
A Short andEasy Method of Prayer
A Short andEasy Method of Prayer. <. A Short andEasy Method of Prayer Madame
Guyon. Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE TO THIS EDITION....
HowEasy was it for Me to have Seen with Rusticus...
... [Way-2-32] Howeasy was it for me to have seen with Rusticus? Howeasy
was it for me to have seen with Rusticus, that all this...
A Short andEasy Method of Prayer
A Short andEasy Method of Prayer. <.... A SHORT ANDEASY METHOD OF
PRAYER. CHAPTER I The Universal Call to Prayer. What a...
That it is notEasy to Discover the Trinity that is God from the...
... Book XV. Chapter 7."That It is NotEasy to Discover the Trinity that is
God from the Trinities We Have Spoken of. 11. But these...
Is it notEasy to Conceive the World in Your Mind? to Think the...
... THE FIRST CENTURY 9 Is it noteasy to conceive the World in your Mind? To think
the Heavens fair?... Is it noteasy to conceive the World in your Mind?...
What is MoreEasy and Sweet than Meditation? yet in this Hath God...
... THE FIRST CENTURY 8 What is moreeasy and sweet than meditation? Yet in this hath
God commended His Love. What is moreeasy and sweet than meditation?...
Fragment Xliv. It is not anEasy Thing for a Soul...
... It is not aneasy thing for a soul? It [4888] is not aneasy thing for a soul, under
the influence of error, to be persuaded of the contrary opinion....
But is it not asEasy to See, that the Whole Christian Church are...
... Address 155: But is it not aseasy to see, that the whole Christian church
are in? But is it not aseasy to see, that the whole...
Messiah'sEasy Yoke
... Sermon XV Messiah'sEasy Yoke. Messiah'sEasy Yoke Matthew 11:29, 30.... and ye shall
find rest unto your souls. For my yoke iseasy, and my burden is light....
God Hath Made itEasy to Convert Our Soul into a Thought...
... THE SECOND CENTURY 87 God hath made iteasy to convert our soul into a
Thought containing Heaven and Earth. God hath made iteasy...
Thesaurus
Easy (14 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) At ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint. 2. (vt) Free from pain,
distress, toil, exertion, and the like; quiet; as, the patient is
easy.
...Light (2869 Occurrences)
... 23. (superl.) Not burdensome;easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical
strength; as, a light burden, or load. 24. (superl...
Omri (16 Occurrences)
... Northern Kingdom. This step may have been suggested to Omri by his owneasy
conquest of Tirzah, the former capital. Accordingly, he...
Lacedaemonians
... alliance itself is said to have been formed (1 Maccabees 12:20) between Areus, king
of the Lacedaemonians and Onias the high priest; but it is noteasy to make...
Kishon (6 Occurrences)
... mud. Remembering this, it iseasy to understand the disaster that overwhelmed
the heavily armed cavalry and chariots of Sisera....
Tight (9 Occurrences)
... (superl.) Somewhat intoxicated; tipsy. 11. (superl.) Pressing; stringent; noteasy;
firmly held; dear; -- said of money or the money market. Cf.Easy, 7. 12....
Ready (451 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Not slow or hesitating; quick in action or perception of any kind;
dexterous; prompt;easy; expert; as, a ready apprehension; ready wit; a ready...
Sheep (413 Occurrences)
... It is noteasy to draw the line between wild sheep and wild goats. Among the more
obvious distinctions are the chin beard and strong odor of male goats....
Ciccar
... Wars, IV, viii, 4). These references would locate Zoar at the base of the mountains
just Southeast of the Dead Sea, and, as it was withineasy reach of Sodom...
Plain (113 Occurrences)
... Wars, IV, viii, 4). These references would locate Zoar at the base of the mountains
just Southeast of the Dead Sea, and, as it was withineasy reach of Sodom...
Resources
What is the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is easy believism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean when Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30)? | GotQuestions.orgEasy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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