Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "invite" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of calling or summoning someone to participate in an event, gathering, or relationship. It is an expression of hospitality, openness, and the desire for fellowship. In the Scriptures, invitations often carry spiritual significance, symbolizing God's call to humanity to enter into a relationship with Him.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, invitations are often associated with hospitality and the sharing of meals. For example, in
Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham invites three visitors to rest and eat with him, demonstrating the cultural importance of welcoming strangers. This act of inviting is not merely social but also reflects a deeper spiritual principle of welcoming God's presence.
New Testament Context:The New Testament expands on the theme of invitation, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. One of the most notable parables involving an invitation is the Parable of the Great Banquet in
Luke 14:16-24. In this parable, a man prepares a great feast and invites many guests. When the invited guests make excuses and refuse to come, the man extends the invitation to the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, symbolizing God's inclusive call to salvation.
Key Verses:·
Matthew 11:28 : "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This verse is a direct invitation from Jesus, offering rest and relief to those who are struggling, highlighting His role as the ultimate source of peace and comfort.
·
Revelation 3:20 : "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This verse illustrates the personal invitation Jesus extends to individuals, emphasizing the importance of responding to His call.
Theological Significance:The concept of invitation in the Bible underscores the nature of God's grace and the open offer of salvation to all people. It reflects the idea that God initiates the relationship with humanity, inviting them to partake in His kingdom. This invitation is not limited by social status, ethnicity, or past actions, but is extended to all who are willing to accept it.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to emulate God's example by extending invitations to others, both in terms of hospitality and sharing the Gospel. The act of inviting others into one's home or community can serve as a tangible expression of God's love and an opportunity to witness to His grace. Additionally, Christians are called to respond to God's invitation in their own lives, continually seeking a deeper relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and obedience.
Cultural and Historical Insights:In biblical times, accepting an invitation often implied a commitment to a relationship or covenant. This cultural understanding adds depth to the biblical invitations, as they are not merely casual requests but significant calls to enter into a transformative relationship with God. The communal aspect of invitations in the ancient Near East also highlights the importance of community and fellowship in the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To ask; to request; to bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite to dinner, or a wedding, or an excursion.
2. (v. t.) To allure; to draw to; to tempt to come; to induce by pleasure or hope; to attract.
3. (v. t.) To give occasion for; as, to invite criticism.
4. (v. i.) To give invitation.
Greek
479. antikaleo -- toinvite in turn... to
invite in turn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: antikaleo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-tee-kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I
invite in return Definition: I
...2564. kaleo -- to call
... to call. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kaleo Phonetic Spelling:
(kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I call,invite, name Definition: (a) I call, summon,...
1528. eiskaleomai -- to call in
... to call in. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eiskaleomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ice-kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I call in,invite Definition: I call in (to...
5455. phoneo -- to call out
... shout, summon Definition: I give forth a sound, hence: (a) of a cock: I crow, (b)
of men: I shout, (c) trans: I call (to myself), summon; Iinvite, address....
3333. metakaleo -- to call from one place to another
... Word Origin from meta and kaleo Definition to call from one place to another NASB
Word Usage called (1),invite (1), invited (1), summon (1)....
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... parakaleo Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak-al-eh'-o) Short Definition: I summon, entreat,
admonish, comfort Definition: (a) I send for, summon,invite, (b) I beseech...
4837. sumparakaleo -- to exhort together, pass. to be strengthened...
... be strengthened with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumparakaleo Phonetic
Spelling: (soom-par-ak-al-eh'-o) Short Definition: Iinvite, encourage along...
4341. proskaleo -- to call to
... summon, call to. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, ie Summon,
invite -- call (for, to, unto). see GREEK pros. see GREEK kaleo....
3343. metapempo -- to send after or for
... to send after, summon. From meta and pempo; to send from elsewhere, ie (middle voice)
to summon orinvite -- call (send) foreign. see GREEK meta. see GREEK pempo...
4863. sunago -- to lead together, ie bring together, hence come...
... 1), gathered (9), gathered...together (3), gathered together (14), gathered...together
(1), gathering (3), gathering together (1),invite (2), invited (1), met...
Strong's Hebrew
7121. qara -- to call, proclaim, read... 17), cried (24), cries (1), cry (19), crying (2), dictated* (1), famous* (1), gave
(4), given (1), gives (1), grasps (1), guests (4),
invite (6), invited (14
...Library
Christ's Advice toInvite the Poor in Accordance with Isaiah the...
... Chapter XXXI."Christ's Advice toInvite the Poor in Accordance with Isaiah The Parable
of the Great Supper a Pictorial Sketch of the Creator's Own...
If Anyone Shall Despise those who Out of Faith Make Love-Feasts...
... Canon XI. If anyone shall despise those who out of faith make love-feasts
andinvite the brethren? If anyone shall despise those...
We Wish, Then, to Question You, andInvite You to Answer a Short...
... Book IV. 31 We wish, then, to question you, andinvite you to answer a
short question? We wish, then, to question you, andinvite...
Why He Delighted in that Theft, when all Things which under the...
... Book II. Chapter VI."Why He Delighted in that Theft, When All Things Which Under
the Appearance of GoodInvite to Vice are True and Perfect in God Alone. 12....
Immediately after This, Celsus, Perceiving that He Has Slandered...
... Those whoinvite to participation in other mysteries, make proclamation as follows:
Every one who has clean hands, and a prudent tongue;' [3608] others again...
The Heavenly Banquet.
... Into that the apostles and pastors of Christinvite men to enter, and
many refuse.... God caninvite and attract, He cannot force....
And He Spake a Parable unto those which were Bidden There...
... [6] [2060] And he said also to him that had invited him, When thou makest a feast
[2061] or a banquet, [2062] do notinvite thy friends, nor even thy brethren...
Whether we Ought to do Good to those Rather who are More Closely...
... Reply to Objection 1: Our Lord did not absolutely forbid us toinvite our friends
and kinsmen to eat with us, but toinvite them so that they mayinvite us in...
Chapter twenty-one
... It's a wonder you didn'tinvite him home with us.... Therefore you will please notinvite
him or others like him to hot suppers because I suggested it. Oh, dear!...
Our Forefathers have Handed Down to us the Tradition, That, after...
... preaching, lest haply, when separated, they might in any instance vary in the
statements which they should make to those whom they shouldinvite to believe in...
Thesaurus
Invite (20 Occurrences)... to bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an
entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to
invite to dinner
...Indite
... 2. (vt) Toinvite or ask.... It may mean "to dictate," "toinvite," "to compose."
In the latter meaning it is used in the above passage....
Requital (9 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:12 Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, "When you give a breakfast
or a dinner, do notinvite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich...
Relatives (132 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:12 Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, "When you give a breakfast
or a dinner, do notinvite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich...
Bid (35 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To order; to direct; to enjoin; to command. 6. (vt) Toinvite;
to call in; to request to come. 7. (v.) imp. & pp of Bid....
Breakfast (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 14:12 Also to His host, who had invited Him, He said, "When you give a breakfast
or a dinner, do notinvite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich...
Call
... office, or employment, especially of a religious character; -- often used of a divine
summons; as, to be called to the ministry; sometimes, toinvite; as, to...
Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... Compare Luke 5:29 where Levi "made a feast." (1) In view of existing customs and
abuses, Christ taught His followers when they gave a banquet toinvite the poor...
Invited (49 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofInvite. Multi-Version Concordance
Invited (49 Occurrences). Matthew 22:3 and sent out his...
Kinsfolk (13 Occurrences)
... thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy
kinsfolk, nor rich neighbours, lest it may be they also shouldinvite thee in...
Resources
How is the Islamic idea of jihad different from the violence in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs it a sin to watch pornography with my spouse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is biblical manhood? | GotQuestions.orgInvite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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