Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "perishing" in the Bible often refers to the state of being lost, destroyed, or experiencing eternal separation from God. It is frequently used to describe the fate of those who reject God's salvation and persist in sin. The concept of perishing is contrasted with eternal life, which is offered through faith in Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, the idea of perishing is often associated with physical destruction or death as a consequence of sin or disobedience to God. For example, in
Proverbs 11:10 , it is written, "When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy." Here, perishing is linked to the downfall of the wicked, highlighting the moral order upheld by God.
New Testament Context:The New Testament expands the concept of perishing to include spiritual and eternal dimensions. In
John 3:16 , one of the most well-known verses, it states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse underscores the contrast between perishing and receiving eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ.
In
2 Peter 3:9 , the apostle Peter writes, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This passage emphasizes God's desire for all to be saved and His patience in allowing time for repentance.
Theological Implications:Perishing is a significant theological concept as it relates to the doctrine of salvation. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of redemption through Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (
Romans 3:23), and without intervention, the natural consequence is perishing.
The doctrine of perishing also highlights the justice of God. In
Matthew 10:28 , Jesus warns, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This indicates that perishing is not merely physical death but involves eternal consequences.
Practical Application:For believers, the concept of perishing serves as a motivation for evangelism and living a life that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel. The urgency of sharing the message of salvation is rooted in the desire to prevent others from perishing. In
Jude 1:23 , it is written, "Save others by snatching them from the fire; and to others show mercy, tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh."
Conclusion:While the Bible presents perishing as a dire outcome for those who reject God, it also offers hope through the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ. The call to repentance and faith is central to avoiding the fate of perishing and embracing the gift of eternal life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Perish.
Greek
622. apollumi -- to destroy, destroy utterly... utterly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apollumi Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ol'-loo-mee) Short Definition: I destroy, lose, am
perishing Definition: (a)
...684. apoleia -- destruction, loss
... Transliteration: apoleia Phonetic Spelling: (ap-o'-li-a) Short Definition: destruction,
ruin, loss Definition: destruction, ruin, loss,perishing; eternal ruin...
Strong's Hebrew
6. abad -- to perish... lost (1), lacking (1), lost (12), make vanish (1), makes to perish (1), no (2),
obliterate (1), perish (61), perished (16), perishes (7),
perishing (2), ruined
...3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... finish (6), finished (67), finishes (1), fulfill (2), languish (1), languishes
(1), longed (1), make an end (1), over (1), perish (1),perishing (1), plotted (...
12. abdan -- destruction
... 1), destruction (1). destruction. From 'abad; aperishing -- destruction.
see HEBREW 'abad. 11, 12. abdan. 13 . Strong's Numbers.
11. abaddon -- (place of) destruction or ruin, Abaddon
... destruction. Intensive from 'abad; abstract, aperishing; concrete, Hades --
destruction. see HEBREW 'abad. 10, 11. abaddon. 12 . Strong's Numbers.
10. abaddoh -- destruction
... Word Origin the same as abaddon, qv. destruction The same as 'abedah, miswritten
for 'abaddown; aperishing -- destruction. see HEBREW 'abedah....
3582. kachad -- to hide
... destroy (1), conceal (4), concealed (2), cut off (2), denied (1), desolate (1),
destroyed (2), hid (1), hidden (4), hide (7), hides (1),perishing (1), wipe (1...
13. obdan -- destruction
... Word Origin the same as abdan, qv. destruction From 'abad; aperishing -- destruction.
see HEBREW 'abad. 12, 13. obdan. 14 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Perishing or Being Saved
... V)PERISHING OR BEING SAVED. 'For... Cross. If it be, and because it is, 'foolishness'
to some, they belong to the catalogue of theperishing....
Rescue thePerishing. PM
... 411 Rescue thePerishing. PM. Seeking the Lost.... Cho."Rescue theperishing,
Care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save....
ThingsPerishing and Things Stable
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 13:1-7 THINGS
PERISHING AND THINGS STABLE. "And as He went forth out...
Of the Destruction of the Saguntines, who Received no Help from...
... Book III. Chapter 20."Of the Destruction of the Saguntines, Who Received No Help
from the Roman Gods, ThoughPerishing on Account of Their Fidelity to Rome....
Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of...
... CHAPTER 6. Concerning Esther And Mordecai And Haman; And How In The Reign Of Artaxerxes
The Whole Nation Of The Jews Was In Danger OfPerishing....
Letter clxxiii. (AD 416. )
... For what did we order beyond this, that you should be arrested, brought before the
authorities, and guarded, in order to prevent you fromperishing?...
The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... [4339] And another Scripture saith, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
[4340] This means that those who areperishing must be saved....
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... points us to God. Theperishing of those earthly things, shows that even
when they seemed firm they were nothing. Be mindful of...
2 Thessalonians ii. 9-Jun
... Ver.10. "And with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that areperishing.".... That
these very men who areperishing will be put to silence. How?...
Immeasurable Love
... of John could not tell us how much; but so greatly, so divinely, did he love it
that he gave his Son, his only Son, to redeem the world fromperishing, and to...
Thesaurus
Perishing (24 Occurrences)...Perishing (24 Occurrences). Matthew 8:25 and his disciples having come to him, awoke
him, saying, 'Sir, save us; we are
perishing.' (YLT NAS RSV).
...Perisheth (15 Occurrences)
Perizzite (22 Occurrences)
Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... Jesus: "He that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth
(remains) on him" (John 3:36; the opposite of "life" is "perishing," 3:16...
Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... Jesus: "He that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth
(remains) on him" (John 3:36; the opposite of "life" is "perishing," 3:16...
Vailed (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vailed (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 4:3 and if also
our good news is vailed, in thoseperishing it is vailed, (YLT)....
Joram (26 Occurrences)
... After the allies had been miraculousl y delivered fromperishing for lack of water,
they devastated the land and sacked the cities, and finally they succeeded...
Grateful (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ grateful to God in those
whom He is saving and in those who areperishing; (WEY)....
Gaza (22 Occurrences)
... and "did grind in the prison house." Here he also pulled down the temple of Dagon,
and slew "all the lords of the Philistines," himself alsoperishing in the...
Wrong-doer (5 Occurrences)
... vanity. There is a righteous oneperishing in his righteousness, and there
is a wrong-doer prolonging 'himself' in his wrong. (YLT)....
Resources
What does it mean that Christians are the aroma of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christless Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgPerishing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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