Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "fails" often relates to human shortcomings, the reliability of God's promises, and the ultimate triumph of divine purposes despite human failure. The term "fails" can be understood through various scriptural narratives and teachings that highlight both human frailty and divine faithfulness.
Human FailureThe Bible is replete with examples of human failure, illustrating the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace. Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) marks the first significant failure, resulting in the fall of mankind and the introduction of sin into the world. This narrative sets the stage for the recurring theme of human failure throughout Scripture.
King David, despite being a man after God's own heart (
1 Samuel 13:14), experienced personal failure through his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). His repentance, however, as recorded in
Psalm 51, demonstrates the possibility of restoration and forgiveness through genuine contrition.
The Apostle Peter's denial of Jesus (
Matthew 26:69-75) is another poignant example of human failure. Despite his initial failure, Peter is restored by Jesus and becomes a foundational leader in the early Church (
John 21:15-19).
Divine FaithfulnessIn contrast to human failure, the Bible emphasizes the unfailing nature of God's promises and love.
Numbers 23:19 states, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" This verse underscores the reliability of God's word and His unwavering commitment to His covenant.
The steadfast love of the Lord is a recurring theme, as seen in
Lamentations 3:22-23 : "Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This passage reassures believers of God's constant mercy and faithfulness, even amidst human failure.
God's Purposes PrevailDespite human failures, God's purposes ultimately prevail.
Proverbs 19:21 declares, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse highlights the sovereignty of God and His ability to accomplish His will, regardless of human shortcomings.
The account of Joseph in Genesis illustrates how God can use human failure and adversity to fulfill His divine purposes. Joseph's brothers intended harm by selling him into slavery, but God used their actions to save many lives during a severe famine (
Genesis 50:20).
The Role of FaithFaith plays a crucial role in overcoming failure.
Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," recounts the accounts of individuals who, despite their failures and weaknesses, trusted in God's promises and were commended for their faith.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see."
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages believers to press on despite past failures: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" (
Philippians 3:13). This exhortation emphasizes the importance of perseverance and reliance on God's strength.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of "fails" encompasses the reality of human imperfection, the assurance of God's unfailing promises, and the ultimate fulfillment of His divine purposes. Through faith and reliance on God's grace, believers are encouraged to overcome their failures and participate in God's redemptive plan.
Greek
808. aschemosune -- unseemliness... Cognate: 808 (from 1 "without" and 4976 , "form") -- properly, deformity (improperly
fashioned); (figuratively) improper behavior that
fails to fulfill the
...1587. ekleipo -- to leave out, leave off, by impl. to cease
... Word Origin from ek and leipo Definition to leave out, leave off, by impl. to cease
NASB Word Usage come to an end (1), fail (1),fails (1), obscured (1)....
4098. pipto -- to fall
... root pet Definition to fall NASB Word Usage beat down (1), fail (1),fails (1),
fall (15), fall down (2), fallen (8), falling (3), falls (8), fell (46), fell...
1483. ethnikos -- as a Gentile
... Cognate: 1483 (from 1482 , "a Gentile," a ) -- to live as a non-Israelite, ie as
a ; someone whofails short of being a full member of the Jewish nation...
4777. sugkakopatheo -- to bear evil treatment along with
... It is only used in 2 Tim 1:8. [K. Wuest, "Thefails to take note of the prefixed
proposition which means '.') Paul is exhorting Timothy to endure hardships ....
Strong's Hebrew
535. amal -- to be weak, languish... 534, 535. amal. 536 . to be weak, languish. Transliteration: amal Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-mal') Short Definition:
fails. Word Origin a prim.
...392. Akzib -- "deceptive," two places in Palestine
... Achzib. From 'akzab; deceitful (in the sense of a winter- torrent whichfails in
summer); Akzib, the name of two places in Palestine -- Achzib....
6. abad -- to perish
... 1), been lost (1), broken (1), corrupts (1), destroy (33), destroyed (15), destroying
(2), destroys (2), destruction (2), dying (2), fail (1),fails (1), give...
5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose
... root Definition to leave, forsake, loose NASB Word Usage abandon (3), abandoned
(11), abandons (1), commits (1), deserted (1), failed (1),fails (1), forsake...
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... 1), determined (1), devoured (1), died (1), end (4), ended (3), ending (1), exhausted
(2), exterminated (1), fail (10), failed (1),fails (2), faints (1), feed...
369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... nothing, nought NASB Word Usage almost (1), bereft* (1), beyond (5), beyond* (1),
cease (2), countless* (2), else* (1), endless* (1),fails (1), found (1...
Library
The Power that NeverFails.
... The Holy Spirit The Power That NeverFails. You and I have to... the hard rock.
But sometimes thisfails to split the rock. The iron...
I whenFails the Light at Sunset Grey,
... EVENING I Whenfails the light at sunset grey,. 8,8,8,8... Springs from my heart
in fervent prayer,. Whenfails the light at sunset grey,....
Whether an Accuser whoFails to Prove his Indictment is Bound to...
... OF MATTERS CONCERNING UNJUST ACCUSATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether an accuser whofails
to prove his indictment is bound to the punishment of retaliation?...
Tries to Become a Politician.Fails. Last Act as a Politician....
... CHAPTER VII. Tries to Become a Politician.Fails. Last Act as a Politician. Tries
to Join the Southern Army.Fails Again. His First Appointment....
FaustusFails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to...
... Faustusfails to understand why he should be required either to accept or reject
the New Testament as a whole, while the Catholics accept or reject the various...
Further, if any oneFails to Understand How it Can be that We...
... Book I. Chapter 4. " 5. Further, if any onefails to understand how it can
be that we? "5. Further, if any onefails to understand...
JesusFails to Attend the Third Passover.
... (Time: One Year Less One Week.) LXV. JesusFails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition....
Hermogenes Makes Great Efforts to Remove Evil from God to Matter...
... Chapter XI."Hermogenes Makes Great Efforts to Remove Evil from God to Matter
How HeFails to Do This Consistently with His Own Argument....
That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed norFails...
... BOOK II CHAPTER X THAT GOD'S LOVE IS TO BE MINGLED WITH ILK TIME AND DEED NORFAILS
NOT FOR WEAL OR WOE, AND OF THE WORTHINESS AND THE GAINING THEREOF: AND OF...
Notwithstanding their Conceits, the God of the MarcionitesFails...
... Chapter XVIII."Notwithstanding Their Conceits, the God of the MarcionitesFails
in the Vouchers Both of Created Evidence and of Adequate Revelation....
Thesaurus
Fails (35 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fails (35 Occurrences). Luke 3:9 And even now
the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every
...Atheism
... the existence of such a need and such a tendency, and yet believe that the need
corresponds to nothing, that the tendency has no goal." (3) Itfails to account...
Spent (76 Occurrences)
... For our moneyfails." (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV).... Psalms 31:10 For my life is spent with
sorrow, my years with sighing. My strengthfails because of my iniquity....
Failure (5 Occurrences)
Fail (130 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To deteriorate in respect to vigor, activity, resources, etc.; to become
weaker; as, a sick manfails.... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love neverfails....
Forsake (88 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:9 Don't reject me in my old age. Don't forsake me when my strengthfails....
Their tonguefails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them....
Yield (78 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:9 And even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree
whichfails to yield good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into...
Nimrim (2 Occurrences)
... Nimrim (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 15:6 For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate; for
the grass has withered away, the tender grassfails, there is no green thing....
Neglects (3 Occurrences)
... Numbers 9:13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, andfails to
keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people....
Resources
What does it mean that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is truth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Bible is infallible? What is biblical infallibility? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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