Topical Encyclopedia
The term "impart" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of giving, sharing, or bestowing something, whether it be knowledge, spiritual gifts, or material resources. This concept is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of community, stewardship, and the transmission of divine wisdom and grace.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "impart" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in various practices and teachings. For example, the sharing of wisdom and instruction is a central theme in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 9:9 states, "Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning." Here, the impartation of wisdom is seen as a communal and ongoing process.
The Old Testament also emphasizes the importance of imparting God's laws and commandments to future generations.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the responsibility of imparting spiritual and moral teachings within the family and community.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of impartation takes on a more explicit and spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of imparting spiritual gifts and wisdom to the early Christian communities. In
Romans 1:11 , Paul expresses his desire to visit the Roman believers, saying, "For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you." Here, the act of imparting is directly linked to the strengthening and edification of the church.
Paul also highlights the importance of imparting not just material resources but also one's very self. In
1 Thessalonians 2:8 , he writes, "We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." This passage reflects the holistic nature of impartation, encompassing both spiritual and relational dimensions.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the act of imparting is closely associated with the concept of grace. Just as God imparts grace to believers, Christians are called to impart grace to others through acts of kindness, teaching, and sharing of resources. This is seen in
Ephesians 4:29 , which instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Impartation is also linked to the idea of stewardship. Believers are entrusted with various gifts and resources, not for personal gain, but to be shared for the common good. This is evident in
1 Peter 4:10 , which states, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another."
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, the call to impart involves a commitment to discipleship, teaching, and service within the Christian community. It encourages believers to actively share their faith, resources, and lives with others, fostering a spirit of generosity and mutual edification. This aligns with the broader biblical mandate to love one's neighbor and to build up the body of Christ through intentional acts of giving and sharing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) To bestow a share or portion of; to give, grant, or communicate; to allow another to partake in; as, to impart food to the poor; the sun imparts warmth.
2. (n.) To obtain a share of; to partake of.
3. (n.) To communicate the knowledge of; to make known; to show by words or tokens; to tell; to disclose.
4. (v. i.) To give a part or share.
5. (v. i.) To hold a conference or consultation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IMPARTim-part' (metadidomi, "to share"): "They. imparted (the King James Version "added") nothing to me" (Galatians 2:6); that is, did not propose any correction or addition to my teaching. "That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift" (Romans 1:11) expresses the apostle's hope that the Roman believers may increase in faith and love through his teaching and influence.
"To impart unto you. our own souls" (1 Thessalonians 2:8) meant to spend their utmost strength and to expose their lives in their service.
Greek
2130. eumetadotos -- ready toimpart... ready to
impart. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eumetadotos Phonetic
Spelling: (yoo-met-ad'-ot-os) Short Definition: willingly sharing, ready to
...2843. koinonikos -- ready toimpart
... ready toimpart. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: koinonikos Phonetic
Spelling: (koy-no-nee-kos') Short Definition: willing to share Definition...
3330. metadidomi -- to give a share of
... to give a share of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: metadidomi Phonetic Spelling:
(met-ad-id'-o-mee) Short Definition: I share,impart Definition: (lit: I...
4323. prosanatithemi -- to lay on besides, hence to undertake...
... Transliteration: prosanatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (pros-an-at-ith'-ay-mee) Short
Definition: I consult with Definition: I consult with, communicate,impart....
394. anatithemi -- to set up, set forth
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-at-ith'-
em-ahee) Short Definition: I lay a case before,impart, communicate, relate...
2841. koinoneo -- to have a share of
... Phonetic Spelling: (koy-no-neh'-o) Short Definition: I share, communicate, have
fellowship with Definition: (a) I share, communicate, contribute,impart, (b) I...
218. aleipho -- anoint.
... Oil was also applied to the feet to soothe and show (courtesy, respect). Anointing
shares a "penetrating comfort" toimpart strength and healing ().]. anoint....
1743. endunamoo -- to empower
... strong. 1743 (from 1722 "in," which intensifies 1412 , " power-ability") --
properly, toimpart (make able); empowered. Word Origin...
1321. didasko -- to teach
... direct, admonish. 1321 (from , "learn") -- to teach (literally, "cause to ");
instruct,impart knowledge (disseminate information). In...
5457. phos -- light
... 5457 (a neuter noun) -- properly, (especially in terms of its results, what it
manifests); in the NT, the ; divine to reveal andimpart life, through Christ....
Library
O Thou that Bringest Good Tidings
... the city here addressed is the new form of the ancient Zion, which had risen from
her ashes, and had a better tidings of glad significance toimpart to all the...
1 John iv. 9-10
... through him he might bestow on the sinful race of man that high destiny for which
it was created, and which it had lost through its own guilt; toimpart to the...
How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own...
... who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift
themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom theyimpart earthly things...
Trial Mission of the Apostles in Galilee. (Luke, ix. ; Matt. , X....
... doctrine, and thus making Jews of them, it would only have been the more difficult
afterward to eradicate the laboriously"planted errors, andimpart a pure...
The Praying that Glorifies God
... things for Him. He has promised toimpart the power from heaven to accomplish
greater works for Him in the world. He ordained His...
Praying Without Doubting
... This fact should not seem incredible since it is true that God didimpart a
measure of His own faith to man at the beginning of creation....
Like Teacher, Like Scholar
... men have to take truth at second-hand, and few indeed are they who, like a perfect
medium, receive even the fragmentary truth that human lips canimpart to them...
Paul's Longing
... ROMANS PAUL'S LONGING. 'I long to see you, that I mayimpart unto you some
spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12....
What is Hierarchy? and what the Use of Hierarchy?
... Further, that those who purify shouldimpart, from their own abundance of purity,
their own proper holiness; that those who illuminate, as being more luminous...
Love one Another
... The very first thought of the true Vine is love"living only toimpart His life to
the branches.... He cannotimpart Christ's life without imparting His love....
Thesaurus
Impart (12 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) To bestow a share or portion of; to give, grant, or communicate; to allow
another to partake in; as, to
impart food to the poor; the sun imparts warmth
...Communicate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) Toimpart; to bestow; to convey; as, to communicate a disease or
a sensation; to communicate motion by means of a crank....
Teach (172 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Toimpart the knowledge of; to give intelligence concerning; toimpart,
as knowledge before unknown, or rules for practice; to inculcate as true or...
Relief (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:16 If any believing man or woman have widows, let themimpart relief
to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it mayimpart relief to...
Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) To make lively, active, or sprightly; toimpart additional energy to; to
stimulate; to make quick or rapid; to hasten; to accelerate; as, to quicken...
Victuals (32 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:11 and he answering saith to them, 'He having two coats -- let himimpart
to him having none, and he having victuals -- in like manner let him do.' (YLT...
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased
toimpart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls...
Give (13501 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To bestow without receiving a return; to confer without compensation; to
impart, as a possession; to grant, as authority or permission; to yield up or...
Water (4571 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To wet and calender, as cloth, so as toimpart to it a lustrous appearance
in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines; as, to water silk. Cf....
Well-pleased (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 2:8 so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased toimpart to you
not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye...
Resources
What is impartation? | GotQuestions.orgCan a person believe in some sense but not be saved? | GotQuestions.orgDo Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 contradict? How can both verses be true? | GotQuestions.orgImpart: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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