Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "attained" in the Bible often relates to the achievement or realization of spiritual goals, maturity, or the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a term that signifies reaching a certain level of spiritual growth or the completion of a divine purpose.
Spiritual Maturity and GrowthIn the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently discusses the idea of spiritual maturity as something to be attained. In
Philippians 3:12-14 , Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul acknowledges that spiritual perfection is a goal to be pursued, indicating that the Christian life is a journey toward attaining Christlikeness.
Fulfillment of PromisesThe attainment of God's promises is a recurring theme in Scripture.
Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," recounts the accounts of many who lived by faith and attained the promises of God.
Hebrews 11:39-40 states, "These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised, since God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect." This passage highlights that while the faithful may not see the complete fulfillment of God's promises in their lifetime, the ultimate attainment is realized in God's perfect timing.
Righteousness and SalvationAttainment is also associated with righteousness and salvation. In
Romans 9:30-31 , Paul contrasts the attainment of righteousness by faith with the failure to attain it through the law: "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it." This passage underscores the belief that righteousness is attained not through human effort or adherence to the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Eternal LifeThe ultimate attainment for believers is eternal life, a gift from God through Jesus Christ. In 1
John 5:11-12 , it is written, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." Eternal life is the culmination of the believer's journey, the final attainment of God's promise to those who have faith in His Son.
ConclusionThe concept of "attained" in the Bible encompasses the pursuit of spiritual maturity, the fulfillment of God's promises, the attainment of righteousness through faith, and the ultimate gift of eternal life. It reflects the dynamic and ongoing journey of faith, where believers are called to press on toward the goals set before them by God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Attain.
Greek
2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule... Word Origin from kratos Definition to be strong, rule NASB Word Usage arrested
(3),
attained (1), clinging (1), held (1), hold (4), hold fast (4), holding back
...5348. phthano -- to come before (another), anticipate, arrive
... verb Definition to come before (another), anticipate, arrive NASB Word Usage arrive
(1),attained (1), come (3), first to come (1), precede (1)....
5177. tugchano -- to hit, hit upon, meet, happen
... root tuch- Definition to hit, hit upon, meet, happen NASB Word Usage attain (1),
attained (1), extraordinary (2), obtain (2), obtained (2), perhaps (3...
2663. katapausis -- rest
... Transliteration: katapausis Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap'-ow-sis) Short Definition:
resting, rest Definition: (in the Old Testament of the restattained by the...
2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize
... Word Origin from kata and lambano Definition to lay hold of, seize NASB Word Usage
attained (1), caught (2), comprehend (2), found (1), laid hold (2), lay hold...
Strong's Hebrew
3022. yaga -- a gain... 3021, 3022. yaga. 3023 . a gain. Transliteration: yaga Phonetic Spelling:
(yaw-gaw') Short Definition:
attained. Word Origin from
...5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... root Definition to reach, overtake NASB Word Usage able* (1), afford* (2),attained
(1), becomes sufficient (1), caught (1), find (1), insufficient (2), last...
5060. naga -- to touch, reach, strike
... root Definition to touch, reach, strike NASB Word Usage add (1), afford* (1), apply
(1), arrive (1), arrived (4),attained (1), attains (1), bring down (1...
Library
Of the Belief the Disciples AfterwardsAttained in the Words of...
... Tenth Book. 27. Of the Belief the Disciples AfterwardsAttained in the Words
of Jesus. "When He was raised from the dead, [5136] His...
Having ThusAttained to the Highest Power, He Bent his Mind to...
... Chap. XXI. Having thusattained to the highest power, he bent his mind to
afflict that empire? Having thusattained to the highest...
Moreover, it Thinks it HasAttained Something Very Great if it is...
... BOOK I. Chapter 23. Moreover, it thinks it hasattained something very
great if it is able to? 23. Moreover, it thinks it has...
Instructions for those who haveAttained to the Prayer of Quiet....
... Chapter XV. Instructions for Those Who HaveAttained to the Prayer of Quiet. Many
Advance So Far, but Few Go Farther. 1. Let us now go back to the subject....
God Cannot beAttained unto by the Power of Memory, which Beasts...
... Book X. Chapter XVII."God Cannot BeAttained Unto by the Power of Memory,
Which Beasts and Birds Possess. 26. Great is the power...
How Perfection Can Only beAttained through the virtue of Humility...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XXIII. How perfection can only beattained through
the virtue of humility. And so it is clearly shown that...
That the Philosophers haveAttained to Some Portion of Truth.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XIX."That the Philosophers
HaveAttained to Some Portion of Truth. Since, then, the...
That He who HasAttained to Trust, Having Put Off the Former Man...
... That he who hasattained to trust, having put off the former man, ought to regard
only celestial and spiritual things, and to give no heed to the world which...
Perfect Knowledge Cannot beAttained in the Present Life: Many...
... Against Heresies: Book II Chapter XXVIII."Perfect knowledge cannot beattained in
the present life: many questions must be submissively left in the hands of...
Again, it Often Happens that a Man who HasAttained...
... Book 3 Chapter 25. Again, it often happens that a man who hasattained?
25. Again, it often happens that a man who hasattained...
Thesaurus
Attained (20 Occurrences)...Attained (20 Occurrences).
... Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law
of righteousness, hath not
attained to the law of righteousness.
...Attain (30 Occurrences)
... according as he is able" (Ezekiel 46:7 margin), "notattained unto the days" (Genesis
47:9); yakhol or yakhowl ="be able," "overcome," "attain to innocency...
Honored (51 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 23:19 He was most honourable of the three; therefore he was made their
captain; howbeit heattained not unto the first three. (See NAS)....
Whereunto (36 Occurrences)
... be in bondage? (KJV ASV). Philippians 3:16 only, whereunto we haveattained,
by that same 'rule' let us walk. (ASV). Colossians 1:29...
Imagines (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 8:2 If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge,
he has as yetattained to no knowledge of the kind to which he ought to...
Ripe (29 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The bank of a river. 2. (superl.) Ready for reaping or gathering; having
attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain....
Possesses (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 8:2 If any one imagines that he already possesses any true knowledge,
he has as yetattained to no knowledge of the kind to which he ought to...
Attainable (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Capable of beingattained or reached by efforts of the mind or body; capable
of being compassed or accomplished by efforts directed to the object....
Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... That such a certainty may beattained appears from the testimony of Scripture (Romans
8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14), from the command to seek after it (Hebrews 6:11...
Ephesians (4 Occurrences)
... 1) the salutation (1:1, 2); (2) a general description of the blessings the gospel
reveals, as to their source, means by which they areattained, purpose for...
Resources
What is Tibetan Buddhism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Roman Catholicism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is entire sanctification? | GotQuestions.orgAttained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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