Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "intends" in the Bible often relates to the purposes and plans of God, as well as the intentions of human hearts. The term is closely associated with divine will, human motives, and the alignment or misalignment of the two. Understanding "intends" within the biblical context requires examining both the sovereignty of God and the moral responsibilities of individuals.
Divine IntentionsGod's intentions are central to the biblical narrative, reflecting His sovereign will and ultimate plan for creation. In
Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" . This verse underscores the certainty and unchangeability of God's intentions, emphasizing that His plans are both purposeful and assured.
The intentions of God are also evident in His redemptive work through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:9-10 states, "And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." . Here, God's intention is revealed as a cosmic plan of reconciliation and unity through Christ.
Human IntentionsIn contrast to divine intentions, human intentions are often depicted as flawed or misguided due to sin.
Jeremiah 17:9 warns, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" . This verse highlights the potential for human intentions to be self-serving or deceptive, necessitating divine intervention and guidance.
However, the Bible also acknowledges the capacity for righteous intentions aligned with God's will. In
Psalm 19:14, the psalmist prays, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." . This reflects a desire for one's intentions to be purified and aligned with God's purposes.
Alignment of IntentionsThe alignment of human intentions with God's will is a recurring theme in Scripture.
Proverbs 16:3 advises, "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved." . This suggests that when human intentions are submitted to God, they can be brought into harmony with His divine purposes.
The New Testament further emphasizes this alignment through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:13 states, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." . Here, the transformative power of the Spirit enables believers to align their intentions with God's will, resulting in actions that fulfill His purposes.
ConclusionThe biblical understanding of "intends" encompasses both the unchangeable purposes of God and the mutable intentions of humanity. While human intentions can be flawed, the Bible offers a pathway for aligning them with divine will through submission, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Library
Whether Love PrincipallyIntends Its Own Glory or Its Objects
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 63 Whether Love principallyintends its own glory or
its objects. Whether Love principallyintends its own glory...
Whether Meanness is a vice?
... Accordingly a man is said to be mean [parvificus] because heintends to do something
little [parvum]. Now according to the Philosopher (De Praedic. Cap....
Whether God is the Final Cause of all Things?
... respectively. For the impression which the agentintends to produce, and
which the patientintends to receive, are one and the same....
Whether Marriage Can Result from one Person's Consent to Take...
... Reply to Objection 3: The intention of the Church whereby sheintends to confer
a sacrament is essential to each sacrament, so that if it be not observed, all...
It Frequently Happens that a Creature who is not Entirely Hardened...
... conjunction. The FIRST of them, which is the exploration or trial of his
creature, God primarily, properly, and of himselfintends....
Whether Scandal is a Mortal Sin?
... But in the case of active direct scandal, as when a personintends to lead another
into sin, if heintends to lead him into mortal sin, his own sin will be...
Whether the Marriage Act Can be Excused Without the Marriage Goods...
... For natureintends offspring as safeguarding the good of the species, whereas the
offspring as a good of the sacrament of marriage includes besides this the...
Whether the Degree of Goodness or Malice in the Will Depends on...
... Mat.12:35, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is good," a gloss says: "A man does as much good as heintends." But the...
[Shewing] that Common and Saving Grace Differ, not Only in Degree...
... of regeneration, says " "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit." Now, whatever Christintends by the terms...
Whether Tale-Bearing is a Sin Distinct from Backbiting?
... on Ecclus.5:16, "Be not called a tale-bearer [Douay: 'whisperer']" says: "ie a
backbiter." They differ however in end, because the backbiterintends to blacken...
Thesaurus
Intends (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Intends (2 Occurrences). Romans 1:27 in just the
same way--neglecting that for which nature
intends women
...Intend (30 Occurrences)
... to be intent upon; to mean; to design; to plan; to purpose; -- often followed by
an infinitely with to, or a dependent clause with that; as, heintends to go...
Intense (13 Occurrences)
Intending (24 Occurrences)
Book (211 Occurrences)
... It is evident, as Marshall has ably pointed out, that the editor of the section
intends to put the confession and prayer of Baruch 1:15-2:5 into the mouths of...
Baruch (24 Occurrences)
... It is evident, as Marshall has ably pointed out, that the editor of the section
intends to put the confession and prayer of Baruch 1:15-2:5 into the mouths of...
Vice (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:27 in just the same way--neglecting that for which natureintends
women--burned with passion towards one another, men practising shameful vice with...
Necessarily (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:27 in just the same way--neglecting that for which natureintends
women--burned with passion towards one another, men practising shameful vice with...
Neglecting (6 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:27 in just the same way--neglecting that for which natureintends
women--burned with passion towards one another, men practising shameful vice with...
Misconduct (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:27 in just the same way--neglecting that for which natureintends
women--burned with passion towards one another, men practising shameful vice with...
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