Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "association" refers to the relationships and connections individuals form with others, which can significantly influence one's spiritual and moral life. The Scriptures provide guidance on the importance of choosing associations wisely, as they can either lead one closer to God or away from His teachings.
Old Testament InsightsThe Old Testament frequently addresses the impact of associations on one's faith and conduct. In
Proverbs 13:20, it is written, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." This verse underscores the importance of surrounding oneself with those who are wise and godly, as their influence can lead to personal growth and wisdom.
The Israelites were often warned against forming associations with pagan nations, as these relationships could lead them into idolatry and away from God's commandments. In
Deuteronomy 7:3-4, God commands, "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods." This directive highlights the potential spiritual danger of forming close ties with those who do not share the same faith.
New Testament TeachingsThe New Testament continues to emphasize the significance of associations, particularly within the context of the early Christian community. In
1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This admonition serves as a reminder that negative influences can corrupt one's morals and lead to spiritual downfall.
Believers are encouraged to form associations that promote mutual edification and spiritual growth.
Hebrews 10:24-25 advises, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage highlights the importance of fellowship and community among believers, as these associations provide support and encouragement in the faith.
Jesus and His AssociationsJesus Himself demonstrated the importance of associations through His relationships with His disciples and others. He chose twelve disciples to be His closest companions, teaching and guiding them in His ways. Despite criticism, Jesus also associated with tax collectors and sinners, as seen in
Matthew 9:10-11, where it is written, "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" Jesus' associations were purposeful, aimed at bringing redemption and transformation to those He encountered.
Practical ApplicationThe Bible's teachings on association encourage believers to be discerning in their relationships, seeking out those who will positively influence their walk with God. While believers are called to be a light to the world and engage with those outside the faith, they are also urged to maintain strong connections with fellow believers who can provide spiritual support and accountability. Through wise associations, Christians can grow in their faith and fulfill their calling to be salt and light in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of associating, or state of being associated; union; connection, whether of persons of things.
2. (n.) Mental connection, or that which is mentally linked or associated with a thing.
3. (n.) Union of persons in a company or society for some particular purpose; as, the American Association for the Advancement of Science; a benevolent association. Specifically, as among the Congregationalists, a society, consisting of a number of ministers, generally the pastors of neighboring churches, united for promoting the interests of religion and the harmony of the churches.
Greek
3657. homilia -- company,association... company,
association. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: homilia Phonetic
Spelling: (hom-il-ee'-ah) Short Definition: intercourse, companionship
...4862. sun -- with, together with (expressesassociation with)
... with, together with (expressesassociation with). Part of Speech: Preposition
Transliteration: sun Phonetic Spelling: (soon) Short Definition: with Definition...
4822. sumbibazo -- to join together, hence to consider, by ext. to...
... From sun and bibazo (to force; causative (by reduplication) of the base of basis);
to drive together, ie Unite (inassociation or affection), (mentally) to...
4347. proskollao -- to glue to, fig. to cleave to
... 4347 (literally, "glue to another") suggests "a more permanentassociation,
focusing upon " (, 1, 448, fn 5; so also in Plato)....
260. hama -- at once
... A primary particle; properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition
or adverb denoting closeassociation -- also, and, together, with(-al)....
3326. meta -- with, among, after
... used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified
variously according to the case (genitiveassociation, or accusative...
3658. homichle -- a mist or fog
... company. From the base of homou and a derivative of the alternate of haireomai
(meaning a crowd);association together, ie A multitude -- company....
2819. kleros -- a lot
... Scripture encourages casting lots (2819 ) to better discern the preferred-
will of God (cf. 2307 and theirassociation in Col 1:9-12)....
Strong's Hebrew
2274. chebrah --association, company...association, company. Transliteration: chebrah Phonetic Spelling: (kheb-raw') Short
Definition: company.
... company. Feminine of cheber;
association -- company.
...2275. Chebrown -- "association, league," a city in S. Judah
... Chebrown. 2275a . "association, league," a city in S. Judah. Transliteration:
Chebrown Phonetic Spelling: (kheb-rone') Short Definition: Hebron. Hebron...
2275a. Chebron -- "association, league," a city in S. Judah
... 2275, 2275a. Chebron. 2275b . "association, league," a city in S. Judah.
Transliteration: Chebron Short Definition: Hebron. Word...
2267. cheber -- company,association, spell
... 2266, 2267. cheber. 2268 . company,association, spell. Transliteration:
cheber Phonetic Spelling: (kheh'-ber) Short Definition: spells....
5596. saphach -- to join, attach to
... Or saphach (Isaiah 3:17) {saw-fakh'}; a primitive root; properly, to scrape out,
but in certain peculiar senses (of removal orassociation) -- abiding, gather...
5031. nebiah -- a prophetess
... prophetess. Feminine of nabiy'; a prophetess or (generally) inspired woman; by
implication, a poetess; byassociation a prophet's wife -- prophetess....
5981. Ummah -- a city in Asher
... Ummah. The same as ummah;association; Ummah, a place in Palestine -- Ummah. see
HEBREW ummah. 5980, 5981. Ummah. 5982 . Strong's Numbers.
7454. rea -- purpose, aim
... thought. From ra'ah; a thought (asassociation of ideas) -- thought. see
HEBREW ra'ah. 7453, 7454. rea. 7455 . Strong's Numbers.
6149. arab -- to be sweet or pleasing
... A primitive root (identical with arab through the idea of closeassociation); to
be agreeable -- be pleasant(-ing), take pleasure in, be sweet. see HEBREW arab....
Library
Association
... SERMON XX.ASSOCIATION. GALATIANS, vi.2. "Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.". If I were to ask you, my...
Greek-Amerikan-Christian-Association
... CHAPTER X Greek-Amerikan-Christian-Association. It is said, by Him who never
told a lie, that every tree is known by its own fruit...
Anniversary of a CharitableAssociation.
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 777. " Anniversary of a CharitableAssociation.
777. LM EH Chapin. Anniversary of a CharitableAssociation....
Closing Hymn at anAssociation.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 730. " Closing Hymn at an
Association. 730.... M. HK White. Closing Hymn at anAssociation. 1 Christians!...
AllAssociation with Idols is to be Avoided.
... constitutions of the holy apostles. Book V. Sec. II."AllAssociation
with Idols is to Be Avoided. A Moral Admonition, that We...
Denunciation of Dangerous and ScandalousAssociation with Maidens.
... The First Epistle of the Blessed Clement, the Disciple of Peter the Apostle. Chapter
X."Denunciation of Dangerous and ScandalousAssociation with Maidens....
The Church and Other Rural Agencies
... scale that have found representation in the National Council of Rural Social Service
affiliated with the American Country LifeAssociation will indicate the...
The Relation of the Sunday School to Community Organizations
... Paul, Knights of the Holy Grail, and the Boys' Brigade. It is essentially
true, also, of the Young Men's ChristianAssociation....
Disciples of Christ; Sometimes Called Campbellites, or Reformers.
... They, and the congregations which they had formed, united with the Redstone Baptist
association, protesting against all human creeds as bonds of union, and...
Footnotes:
... [2: A large part of this chapter is taken from Secondary Division Leaflet Number
2, International Sunday SchoolAssociation.]. [3: Older Boy]. [4: Adult]....
Thesaurus
Association (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) Union of persons in a company or society for some particular purpose; as,
the American
Association for the Advancement of Science; a benevolent
...Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... With the contribution modern psychology has made to our knowledge of theassociation
of ideas through the connected relation of certain cortical centers and...
Dream (82 Occurrences)
... With the contribution modern psychology has made to our knowledge of theassociation
of ideas through the connected relation of certain cortical centers and...
With (66342 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) See Withe. 2. (prep.) With denotes or expresses some situation or relation
of nearness, proximity,association, connection, or the like....
Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... It is also possible and, in the light of some usages, probable, that different motives
operated in theassociation of fasting, as of some other customs, with...
Fast (157 Occurrences)
... It is also possible and, in the light of some usages, probable, that different motives
operated in theassociation of fasting, as of some other customs, with...
Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... Septuagint has phrugana agria, "wild brushwood," in Job, and certainly theassociation
with the "saltwort" and the retm, "broom," in the passage would best be...
Translation (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A transfer of meaning in a word or phrase, a metaphor; a translation. 5.
(n.) Transfer of meaning byassociation;association of ideas....
Partnership (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An alliance orassociation of persons for the prosecution of an undertaking
or a business on joint account; a company; a firm; a house; as, to form a...
Consort (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Concurrence; conjunction; combination;association; union. 4. (n.) An assembly
orassociation of persons; a company; a group; a combination....
Resources
What is the Conservative Baptist Association? What is a Conservative Baptist Church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the National Association of Evangelicals? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Regular Baptist Church, and what do Regular Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.orgAssociation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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