Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Mending refers to the act of repairing or restoring something to a state of wholeness or functionality. In the biblical context, mending can be both literal, such as repairing nets or garments, and metaphorical, such as restoring relationships or spiritual conditions.
Biblical References:1.
Mending of Nets: The most direct reference to mending in the Bible is found in the context of fishing, a common occupation in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about Jesus calling His first disciples: "Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them" (
Matthew 4:21). Similarly, in
Mark 1:19, it is noted, "Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending the nets."
The act of mending nets signifies preparation and readiness for the work ahead. It is a necessary task to ensure that the nets are effective for catching fish, symbolizing the readiness required for the disciples' future mission of becoming "fishers of men" (
Matthew 4:19).
2.
Metaphorical Mending: While the physical act of mending is mentioned explicitly, the concept extends metaphorically to the restoration of relationships and spiritual healing. The Bible frequently speaks of God's desire to mend the brokenhearted and restore those who are spiritually lost. In
Psalm 147:3, it is written, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" . This verse illustrates God's role as a healer and restorer, mending the emotional and spiritual wounds of His people.
3.
Restoration and Reconciliation: The theme of mending is also evident in the New Testament teachings on reconciliation and forgiveness. In
2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul writes, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation" . Here, the mending of the relationship between God and humanity through Christ is emphasized, highlighting the importance of reconciliation as a form of spiritual mending.
4.
Spiritual Mending and Growth: The process of spiritual mending is also seen in the context of church discipline and restoration.
Galatians 6:1 advises, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" . This passage underscores the responsibility of believers to gently mend and restore those who have fallen into sin, promoting spiritual growth and unity within the body of Christ.
Theological Implications:Mending, both literal and metaphorical, is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting God's redemptive work in the world. It underscores the importance of preparation, restoration, and reconciliation in the life of a believer. The act of mending is not only a practical necessity but also a spiritual metaphor for the healing and restoration that God offers through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mend.
Greek
2675. katartizo -- to complete, prepare... to get ready, prepare) Definition to complete, prepare NASB Word Usage complete
(1), equip (1), fully trained (1), made complete (2),
mending (2), perfect (1
...Library
When Lord Morley Said that the House of Lords must be Either...
... the House of Lords must be either mended or ended, he used a phrase which has caused
some confusion; because it might seem to suggest thatmending and ending...
Sources
... The Fire of Love and TheMending of Life were first printed by the Early English
Text Society, in 1896 from the Corpus Christi College MS.236, at Oxford....
The Fire of Love --Book I
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of Patience
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of Tribulation
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of the Despising of the World
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
First of Conversion
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of Reading
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of Prayer
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Of Poverty
... THEMENDING OF LIFE THEMENDING OF LIFE OR RULE OF LIVING, AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE OF HAMPOLE: AND...
Thesaurus
Mending (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mend. Multi-Version Concordance
Mending (2 Occurrences). Matthew 4:21 Going on from
...Zabdi (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:21 He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zabdi and his brother John,
in the boat with their father Zabdimending their nets; and He called them...
Zebedee (11 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,mending their nets....
Nets (33 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,mending their nets....
Thence (152 Occurrences)
... 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,mending their nets...
Preparing (25 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,mending their nets....
Boat (52 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,mending their nets....
Ship (122 Occurrences)
... 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,mending their nets...
Brother (402 Occurrences)
... 4:21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,mending their nets....
Further (121 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee,
and John, his brother, who were also in the boatmending the nets....
Resources
Who was John Bunyan? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about James the apostle? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)? | GotQuestions.orgMending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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