Topical Encyclopedia
Hazarding, in the context of the Bible, refers to the act of risking one's life or well-being for the sake of the Gospel or for the benefit of others. This concept is closely associated with the themes of sacrifice, courage, and faithfulness in the face of danger. The New Testament provides several examples of individuals who hazarded their lives for the advancement of the Christian faith.
One of the most notable instances of hazarding is found in the life of the Apostle Paul. In
Acts 15:26, Paul and Barnabas are described as "men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" . This passage highlights their willingness to face persecution and hardship in their missionary endeavors. Paul's journeys were fraught with danger, including shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment, yet he remained steadfast in his mission to spread the Gospel.
Another example is found in the account of Epaphroditus in
Philippians 2:29-30. Paul commends Epaphroditus to the Philippian church, stating, "Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your lack of service to me" . Epaphroditus's willingness to hazard his life for the sake of serving Paul and the church is presented as a model of Christian devotion and selflessness.
The concept of hazarding is also evident in the actions of early Christian martyrs who faced death rather than renounce their faith. The willingness to suffer and even die for the sake of Christ is seen as the ultimate expression of faith and commitment. Jesus Himself spoke of the cost of discipleship, saying, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me" (
Matthew 16:24). This call to self-denial and readiness to face persecution is a central tenet of the Christian life.
In the broader biblical narrative, the theme of hazarding is not limited to the New Testament. The Old Testament also provides examples of individuals who risked their lives for God's purposes. Esther, for instance, approached King Xerxes uninvited, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (
Esther 4:16), demonstrating her willingness to hazard her life to save her people.
Hazarding, therefore, is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the call to live a life of sacrificial love and service. It challenges believers to consider the depth of their commitment to Christ and the lengths they are willing to go to uphold the truth of the Gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. /) of Hazard.
Library
No Man Cometh to the Father but by Me.
... i.5, 6; and,. 3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and comfort. 4
An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous,hazarding, if not ruining all....
False Profession.
... and tide. They are forhazarding all for God at a clap; and I am for taking
all advantages to secure my life and estate. They are...
At the Front or the Base
... a disciple.'. We have brethren in Christ who have gone to the front,hazarding
their lives on the high places of the field. Their...
Dedication
... that should pump out the water, and stop the leaks, should be sporting or asleep,
or even but favoring themselves in their labors, to thehazarding of you all...
Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... What does it signify that I show my love byhazarding life and limb to
sustain this doctrine of the Gospel and help my neighbor?...
Infant Baptism.
... has ever been led to see, that God would have us baptize young children, and that
to delay Baptism is to delay a great benefit, and ishazarding a child's...
Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience...
... The merchant hurries to and fro in the world in a frenzied effort to amass riches,
hazarding life and limb, apparently careless of physical cost so long as...
How Titus Gave Orders to Demolish the Tower of Antonia and Then...
... above in the tower of Antonia, as a dispenser of rewards to those soldiers that
signalized themselves in the fight, than by coming down andhazarding his own...
Philippians ii. 19-21
... Ver.30. "Because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death,hazarding his life,
to supply that which was lacking in your service towards me."....
Witnessing Better than Knowing the Future
... his child had in some way climbed up outside the window, and was standing on the
sill trying to look in to see what his father was doinghazarding his life in...
Thesaurus
Hazarding (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. /) of Hazard. Multi-Version Concordance
Hazarding (1 Occurrence). Philippians 2:30 because
...Endeavouring (6 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near
death,hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any...
Deficiency (3 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near
death,hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any...
Hazarenan (4 Occurrences)
Christ's (64 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near
death,hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any...
Hazarded (2 Occurrences)
Sake (241 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near
death,hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any...
Gifts (144 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because it was for the sake of Christ's work that he came so near
death,hazarding, as he did, his very life in endeavouring to make good any...
Resources
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