Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextThe concept of "fulfilling" in the Bible often pertains to the completion or realization of God's promises, prophecies, and commandments. It signifies the bringing to fruition of divine intentions and the manifestation of God's will in the world. The term is frequently associated with the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, as well as the fulfillment of individual roles and purposes within God's plan.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, fulfilling is closely linked to the realization of God's promises to His people. For instance, the promise to Abraham regarding his descendants and the land (
Genesis 12:1-3) is seen as fulfilled in various stages throughout Israel's history. The concept is also evident in the fulfillment of prophecies, such as those concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14, which prophesies the birth of Immanuel, is later referenced in the New Testament as fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the theme of fulfilling is central to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declares in
Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." This statement underscores the belief that Jesus is the culmination of the Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of the Law's ultimate purpose.
The Gospels frequently highlight instances where Jesus' actions and experiences fulfill specific prophecies. For example,
Matthew 1:22-23 notes, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."
Theological SignificanceTheologically, fulfilling is significant as it demonstrates God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It reassures believers that God's word is reliable and that His plans are unchangeable. The fulfillment of prophecy in the life and work of Jesus Christ is seen as a testament to His divine nature and mission. It also serves as a foundation for Christian hope, as believers trust that God's promises for the future will likewise be fulfilled.
Practical ImplicationsFor Christians, the concept of fulfilling extends beyond prophecy to encompass the living out of God's commandments and purposes in their lives. Believers are called to fulfill the law of love, as stated in
Galatians 5:14, "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This fulfillment is not merely a legalistic adherence but a heartfelt embodiment of God's love and righteousness.
Related Concepts·
Prophecy: The foretelling of events that are fulfilled in the biblical narrative, particularly concerning the Messiah.
·
Covenant: The agreements between God and His people, which include promises that are fulfilled over time.
·
Law: The commandments given by God, which find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Key Verses·
Matthew 5:17 : "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
·
Galatians 5:14 : "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
·
Matthew 1:22-23 : "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."
The concept of fulfilling in the Bible is a profound testament to God's unwavering commitment to His word and His people, providing assurance and direction for believers throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fulfill.
Greek
4138. pleroma -- fullness, a filling up... patch (2). fullness,
fulfilling, full,. From pleroo; repletion or completion,
ie (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement
...5046. teleios -- having reached its end, ie complete, by ext....
... from 5056 , "consummated goal") -- (consummated) from going through the necessary
stages to reach the -, ie into a consummating byfulfilling the necessary ()....
5055. teleo -- to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
... end, complete, fulfill NASB Word Usage accomplished (3), carried (1), carry (1),
completed (3), finish (1), finished (11), fulfilled (2),fulfilling (1), keeps...
Strong's Hebrew
4394. millu -- setting, installation... From male'; a
fulfilling (only in plural), ie (literally) a setting (of gems), or
(technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice
...6213a. asah -- do, make
... 5), executing (1), exercise (1), exercises (1), exerted (1), fared (1), fashions
(1), fit (1), follow (1), followed (1), fulfill (1),fulfilling (1), gather (1...
Library
The "Destroying" and "Fulfilling" of the Law.
... The "Destroying" and "Fulfilling" of the Law.... It is a "destroying" which excludes
"fulfilling;" a destroying which is not at the same time afulfilling....
Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples...
...Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense."Particular Examples, viz., (1.) Murder;
(2.) Adultery; (3.) Divorce; (4.) Perjury; (5.) Revenge; (6.) National...
Article iii: of Love and theFulfilling of the Law.
... Part 6 Article III: Of Love and theFulfilling of the Law.... Then, for the
first time, we see that we are far fromfulfilling the Law....
O Sion, Haste, Thy Mission HighFulfilling
... V. THE CHURCH Missions 474. O Sion, haste, thy mission highfulfilling. PM... Refrain.
Mary A. Thomson, 1870. O Sion, haste, thy mission highfulfilling,....
Love Worketh no Ill to his Neighbor; Therefore Love is the...
... Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is thefulfilling of the
law. Romans 13:10. In speaking from these words, I design,...
The Manner in which Man Conducted Himself forFulfilling the First...
... DISPUTATION XXX THE MANNER IN WHICH MAN CONDUCTED HIMSELF FORFULFILLING
THE FIRST COVENANT, OR ON THE SIN OF OUR FIRST PARENTS....
Love Thy Neighbour
... The same words are twice quoted by St Paul, and once by St James, always in a
similar mode: Love they represent as thefulfilling of the law....
The Law of Christian Life the Fulfilment of the Old Law.
...Fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets: (1.) General View; (2.) Particular Exposition;
(3.) Demand for a Higher Obedience than that of the Pharisees....
The Greatest Thing in the World
... And John goes farther, "God is love." And you remember the profound remark which
Paul makes elsewhere, "Love is thefulfilling of the law." Did you ever think...
Drummond -- the Greatest Thing in the World
... And John goes further, "God is love." And you remember the profound remark which
Paul makes elsewhere, "Love is thefulfilling of the law." Did you ever think...
Thesaurus
Fulfilling (14 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fulfilling (14 Occurrences). Luke 21:22 For those are
the days of vengeance and of
fulfilling all that is written. (WEY).
...Fulfillment (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act offulfilling; accomplishment;
completion; as, the fulfillment of prophecy. 2. (n.) Execution...
Fullness (31 Occurrences)
... that which is or has been filled"; it also means "that which fills or with which
a thing is filled"; then it signifies "fullness," "afulfilling." 1. "Fullness...
Course (87 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "the") course" (2 Timothy 4:7); "as John fulfilled
(the Revised Version (British and American) "wasfulfilling") his course...
Hail (42 Occurrences)
...fulfilling his word" (Psalm 148:8). Alfred H. Joy. HAIL (2). hal: Interjection,
found only in the Gospels as the translation of chaire, chairete, imp....
Vapors (4 Occurrences)
... treasuries; (ASV WBS NAS). Psalms 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors;
stormy windfulfilling his word: (WBS). Jeremiah 10:13 when...
Vapour (6 Occurrences)
... vapour. (KJV). Psalms 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind
fulfilling his word: (Root in KJV JPS DBY YLT). Proverbs...
Vapours (5 Occurrences)
... treasuries. (KJV JPS DBY YLT). Psalms 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours;
stormy windfulfilling his word: (KJV). Proverbs 25...
Vow (49 Occurrences)
... things (Numbers 30:3). Nowhere in the Old Testament do we find the making of vows
regarded as a religious duty (Deuteronomy 23:22), but thefulfilling of a vow...
Vapor (6 Occurrences)
... concerning the vapor. (WBS). Psalms 148:8 Fire and hail, snow and vapor;
Stormy wind,fulfilling his word; (ASV WBS). Proverbs 21:6...
Resources
What is deontological ethics / deontology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhy didn't Jesus marry? | GotQuestions.orgFulfilling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
