Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being gratified, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is closely related to themes of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment found throughout Scripture. Gratification in a biblical sense often aligns with the fulfillment of God's promises, the satisfaction of righteous desires, and the joy found in obedience to God's will.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of gratification is often linked to the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. For instance, when God fulfills His covenant promises, the people experience a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. In
Genesis 21:6-7 , Sarah expresses her joy and fulfillment at the birth of Isaac: "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me." This laughter is a form of gratification, as Sarah sees the fulfillment of God's promise to her.
The Psalms frequently express a sense of satisfaction and contentment in God's provision and protection.
Psalm 107:9 states, "For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Here, the psalmist acknowledges that true gratification comes from God, who meets the needs of His people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, gratification is often associated with spiritual fulfillment and the joy of salvation. Jesus speaks of a deeper, spiritual satisfaction that surpasses earthly desires. In
John 4:13-14 , Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life." This passage highlights the ultimate gratification found in a relationship with Christ, which quenches spiritual thirst.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of contentment and spiritual gratification. 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, or gratification, is rooted in his reliance on Christ, regardless of his external circumstances.
Gratification and RighteousnessBiblical gratification is often linked to living a life of righteousness and obedience to God.
Proverbs 13:25 states, "The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." This proverb suggests that true satisfaction is found in righteousness, contrasting the fulfillment of the righteous with the unfulfilled desires of the wicked.
Furthermore, Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied (
Matthew 5:6). This promise of gratification is tied to the pursuit of a righteous life, aligning one's desires with God's will.
Eternal GratificationThe ultimate gratification for believers is found in the hope of eternal life with God.
Revelation 21:4 describes the fulfillment and satisfaction that will come in the new heaven and new earth: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This future promise provides believers with the assurance of complete and eternal gratification in God's presence.
In summary, while the term "gratified" may not be explicitly used in Scripture, the Bible presents a rich tapestry of themes related to satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment, all of which are ultimately found in a relationship with God and the pursuit of His righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Gratify.
Greek
4909. suneudokeo -- to join in approving... From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, ie Assent to, feel
gratified with -- allow, assent, be pleased, have pleasure. see GREEK sun.
...Strong's Hebrew
4390. male -- to be full, to fill... filling (5), fills (1), finished (1), fulfill (6), fulfilled (10), full (37), fullness
(1), fully (8), gave in full (1), given fully (1),
gratified (1), live (1
...Library
Marcellus, as Might Well be Expected, was ExceedinglyGratified by...
... 2 Marcellus, as might well be expected, was exceedinglygratified by these
incidents? Marcellus, as might well be expected, was...
Introductory Notice to Constitutions of the Holy Apostles.
... Where the professor's decisions coincide with my own impressions, I am naturally
gratified by his valued and independent corroboration: where the case is...
He is Forcibly Goaded on by the Love of Praise.
... also, that is, upon what to bestow it, and hast wished us to love not Thee only,
but also our neighbour, [959] "often, whengratified by intelligent praise...
Seeketh not Her Own. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
... That is the thing on which my desire fastens, and when I get it that desire is
gratified, and I am happy, so far as gratifying this desire goes to make me happy...
{24A} Upon the Love of Our Neighbour. Preached on Advent Sunday.
... It is by means of these particular appetites and affections that self-love
isgratified in enjoyment, happiness, and satisfaction....
The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
... worshipped by no one till Charmus took a little boy and raised an altar to him in
Academia,"a thing more seemly [905] than the lust he hadgratified; and the...
Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... But to begratified, the thing must be obtained "that is desired." To be happy,
therefore, the desires that aregratified must be right, and therefore they...
That the Great Reason for the Advent of Christ was the...
... But again it is worth our while to notice how,"although superiors also have the
wish to be loved by their inferiors, and aregratified with the zealous...
Footnotes:
... object and end of the former is merely food; the object and end of the latter is
merely esteem; but the latter can no more begratified without contributing to...
Letter xvi. Charity.
... III. Charity envieth not. It is not grieved butgratified to see others more prosperous
and wealthy, more intelligent and refined, or more holy....
Thesaurus
Gratified (4 Occurrences)...Gratified (4 Occurrences). Acts 12:3 Finding that this
gratified the Jews, he proceeded
to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread. (WEY).
...Gratify (5 Occurrences)
Gratification (2 Occurrences)
Glad (421 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Pleased; joyous; happy; cheerful;gratified; -- opposed to sorry,
sorrowful, or unhappy; -- said of persons, and often followed by of, at, that...
Feast (209 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) To be highlygratified or delighted. 6. (vt) To entertain with sumptuous
provisions; to treat at the table bountifully; as, he was feasted by the king....
Relish (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To savor; to taste with pleasure; to partake of with gratification; hence,
to enjoy; to be pleased with orgratified by; to experience pleasure from; as...
Salome (2 Occurrences)
... beheaded by order of Herod, and his head given to the damsel in a charger, "and
the damsel gave it to her mother," whose revengeful spirit was thusgratified....
Finding (57 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:3 Finding that thisgratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter
also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread. (WEY)....
Place (9195 Occurrences)
... known to the worshipper.) An amusing feature of the discoveries is that these objects
were often of minute size, so that the gods could begratified at a...
Hanani (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary God hasgratified me, or is gracious. (1.) One
of the sons of Heman (1 Chronicles 25:4, 25). (2.) A prophet...
Resources
Can man live without God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of porneia in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgGratified: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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