Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "intending" refers to the purpose or plan that an individual or God has in mind. It often involves a deliberate decision or a predetermined course of action. The concept of intention is significant in understanding the motivations behind actions and the fulfillment of divine purposes.
Biblical Usage and Examples1.
Human Intention: The Bible frequently addresses the intentions of the human heart, emphasizing that God discerns the true motives behind actions. In
1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This verse highlights that God evaluates the intentions behind actions rather than merely the actions themselves.
2.
Divine Intention: God's intentions are central to the unfolding of His divine plan. In
Jeremiah 29:11, God declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This passage reassures believers of God's benevolent intentions towards His people, emphasizing His desire for their well-being and future.
3.
Intention in Jesus' Ministry: Jesus often revealed His intentions to His disciples, providing insight into His mission and purpose. In
Luke 19:10, Jesus states, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." This declaration of intent underscores the redemptive purpose of His earthly ministry.
4.
Intention and Sin: The Bible also addresses the role of intention in sin. In
Matthew 5:28, Jesus teaches, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Here, Jesus emphasizes that sinful intentions are as significant as sinful actions, highlighting the importance of purity in thought and desire.
5.
Intention in Prayer: The sincerity of intention is crucial in prayer.
James 4:3 warns, "And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This verse teaches that the effectiveness of prayer is linked to the purity of one's intentions.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of intention in the Bible underscores the importance of aligning one's heart and mind with God's will. It challenges believers to examine their motives and to seek purity in their thoughts and actions. Understanding intention is essential for discerning the moral and spiritual dimensions of human behavior and for recognizing the overarching purposes of God in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Intend.
Greek
3195. mello -- to be about to... be about to NASB Word Usage about (30), almost (1), am about (2), certainly (1),
come (12), delay (1), future (1), going (19), intend (1),
intending (8), later
...1014. boulomai -- to will
... verb Definition to will NASB Word Usage am (1), desire (2), desires (1), desiring
(1), intend (1), intended (3),intending (1), like (1), planned (1), unwilling...
2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... Usage am...willing (1), am willing (3), delighting (1), delights (1), desire (14),
desired (4), desires (4), desiring (2), intended (1),intending (1), like (3...
Strong's Hebrew
559. amar -- to utter, say... 1), follows (2), gave an order (2), gave the order (2), gave orders (2), indeed
say (1), informed (1), intend (2), intended (1),
intending (1), meditate (1
...Library
Joseph Therefore came from Jud??a into Galilee,Intending to Marry...
... Chapter 10. Joseph therefore came from Jud??a into Galilee,intending
to marry the virgin who had been? Joseph therefore came...
I am Told, to Take Another Point, that one of his Followers...
... interest in this question, through the mercy of Christ; but that I made answer to
my brethren when they asked me for my opinion, notintending to prescribe for...
Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... By aiming,intending, to do duty, we must understand the advocates of this theory
to mean the adoption of a resolution or maxim, by which to regulate their...
The Rash Builder
... 'Which of you,intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth
the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?'"Luke 14:28....
But Origen Also, You Will Tell Us, in Composing his Work Called...
... No man begins by cutting the trunk of a tree when he isintending to lean against
it; and no man first impugns the faith of another and then invokes his faith...
Letter Lxviii. (AD 402. )
... but fair that I should rest, while you in your turn run and accomplish great distances;
at the same time (with your leave, and withoutintending any disrespect...
Acts 26:24-29. Portraits.
... But the "convenient season" never seems to come. Meaning andintending they
go on, and meaning andintending they go off the stage....
Whether a Human Action Deserves Praise or Blame, by Reason of Its...
... the particular end intended by the artist: and this sin will be proper to the art;
for instance, if an artist produce a bad thing, whileintending to produce...
Whether the Marriage Act Can be Excused Without the Marriage Goods...
... Now it can be done with a good intention, even withoutintending any marriage good,
for instance byintending to keep or acquire bodily health....
Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
... And he performs acts of that virtue, not asintending them for their own sake, but
instrumentally, as signs of that virtue, wherefore his hypocrisy has not, on...
Thesaurus
Intending (24 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Intend. Multi-Version Concordance
Intending (24 Occurrences).
... And he
had come here
intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!" (WEB).
...Arranged (32 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos,intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged,intending himself to go by land....
Arrangement (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 And we having gone before unto the ship, did sail to Assos, thenceintending
to take in Paul, for so he had arranged,intending himself to go on foot...
Aboard (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos,intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged,intending himself to go by land....
Assos (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos,intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged,intending himself to go by land....
Sail (32 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos,intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged,intending himself to go by land....
Already (171 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 The rest of us had already gone on board a ship, and now we set sail
for Assos,intending to take Paul on board there; for so he had arranged, he...
Ahead (98 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos,intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged,intending himself to go by land....
Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:30 and on the morrow,intending to know the certainty wherefore he is accused
by the Jews, he did loose him from the bonds, and commanded the chief...
Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 And we having gone before unto the ship, did sail to Assos, thenceintending
to take in Paul, for so he had arranged,intending himself to go on foot...
Resources
Who was Judah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow can it be said that we have everlasting life when we still die? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened to the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgIntending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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