Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "preserved" in the Bible often refers to God's protection and sustaining power over His creation, His people, and His promises. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting God's faithfulness and the assurance of His care.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the idea of preservation is frequently associated with God's covenantal promises and His protection over Israel. For instance, in
Psalm 121:7-8 , it is written, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." This passage emphasizes God's role as a guardian who preserves the well-being of His people.
The preservation of life is also a significant theme in the account of Noah. In
Genesis 6-9, God preserves Noah and his family from the flood, demonstrating His ability to protect and sustain those who are righteous and obedient to His commands.
Genesis 7:23 states, "Only Noah and those with him in the ark remained."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of preservation is often linked to spiritual salvation and eternal life.
Jude 1:1 addresses believers as "those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ." Here, the term "kept" signifies the preservation of believers in their faith and relationship with Christ.
The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of God's preserving power in the context of salvation. In
2 Timothy 4:18 , Paul expresses confidence in God's ability to preserve him: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." This assurance reflects the belief that God not only preserves physical life but also secures eternal life for those who trust in Him.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the preservation of believers is closely tied to the doctrines of perseverance and assurance. The belief that God preserves His people underscores the idea that salvation is secure in Christ. This is supported by passages such as
John 10:28-29 , where Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand."
Practical ApplicationsFor believers, the assurance of being preserved by God provides comfort and encouragement in the face of trials and uncertainties. It calls for a response of trust and reliance on God's faithfulness. The knowledge that God preserves His people can inspire a life of obedience and devotion, knowing that He is both the author and sustainer of their faith.
In summary, the biblical theme of preservation highlights God's unwavering commitment to protect, sustain, and fulfill His promises to His people. It assures believers of His constant presence and the security of their salvation in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Preserve.
Greek
5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch... 8), guarded (1), guarding (1), guards (1), keep (5), keeping (2), keeps (1), kept
(4), kept under guard (1), maintain (1), observe (2),
preserved (1), protect
...4982. sozo -- to save
... to save NASB Word Usage bring...safely (1), cured (1), ensure salvation (1), get
(1), get well (2), made...well (6), made well (5),preserved (1), recover (1...
4933. suntereo -- to keep close, ie preserve
... Word Origin from sun and tereo Definition to keep close, ie preserve NASB Word Usage
kept...safe (1),preserved (1), treasured (1). keep, observe, preserve....
3648. holokleros -- complete, entire
... 1 Thes 5:23: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you (3651 ); and may your
spirit and soul and body bepreserved (3648 ), without blame at the coming of...
5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard
... 27), keep watch over (1), keeping (1), keeping guard over (1), keeps (9), kept
(12), kept in custody (3), observe (3), preserve (1),preserved (1), reserved (4...
Strong's Hebrew
5336. natsir --preserved... 5335, 5336. natsir. 5337 .
preserved. Transliteration: natsir Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-tsere') Short Definition:
preserved. Word
...8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... observed (6), observes (1), observing (1), officers (2), pay attention (1), perform
(3), performed (1), performing (2), preserve (5),preserved (3), preserves...
8105. shemer -- lees, dregs
... dregs, wines on the lees. From shamar; somethingpreserved, ie The settlings (plural
only) of wine -- dregs, (wines on the) lees. see HEBREW shamar....
5337. natsal -- to strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered...
... delivered at all (1), deliverer (1), delivering (1), delivers (7), escape (1), escaped
(1), plucked (1), plunder (1), plundered (1),preserved (1), recover (1...
Library
The New Testament HasPreserved for us the Most Valuable Portion...
... THE ORIGIN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 4. The New Testament haspreserved for us the most
valuable portion of primitive Christian literature; yet at the same time it...
Whether Man isPreserved by this Sacrament from Future Sins?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether man ispreserved
by this sacrament from future sins? Objection 1: It seems...
An Even Mind Should bePreserved in Adversity as Well as in...
... An even mind should bepreserved in adversity as well as in prosperity.? An even
mind should bepreserved in adversity as well as in prosperity....
Of the ConcordPreserved among all the Four Evangelists on the...
... Prologue. Chapter XII."Of the ConcordPreserved Among All the Four Evangelists
on the Subject of the Parting of His Raiment. 39....
Of the HarmonyPreserved among all the Evangelists on the Subject...
... Prologue. Chapter XIV."Of the HarmonyPreserved Among All the Evangelists on the
Subject of the Two Robbers Who Were Crucified Along with Him. 51....
How Queen Ethelthryth AlwaysPreserved Her virginity, and Her Body...
... BOOK IV CHAP. XIX. How Queen Ethelthryth alwayspreserved her virginity, and
her body suffered no corruption in the grave. [660-696 AD]....
The Apology of Aristides as it isPreserved in the History of...
... The Apology of Aristides. The Apology of Aristides as it ispreserved in the
history of Barlaam and Josaphat. Translated from the Greek....
The WorldPreserved for the Sake of Christians. Man's...
... Chapter VII."The worldpreserved for the sake of Christians. Man's
responsibility. Wherefore God delays causing the confusion...
That the Original Language in Use among Men was that which was...
... Chapter 11."That the Original Language in Use Among Men Was that Which Was Afterwards
Called Hebrew, from Heber, in Whose Family It WasPreserved When the...
Whether by Being Sanctified in the Womb the Blessed virgin was...
... OF THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (SIX ARTICLES) Whether by being sanctified
in the womb the Blessed Virgin waspreserved from all actual sin?...
Thesaurus
Preserved (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Preserved (27 Occurrences).
... No, they put new wine into
fresh wineskins, and both are
preserved." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
...Protected (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:5 and didn't spare the ancient world, butpreserved Noah with seven others,
a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the...
Whithersoever (32 Occurrences)
... And the LORDpreserved David whithersoever he went. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT).... And
the LORDpreserved David whithersoever he went. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl) Lately produced, gathered, or prepared for market; not stale; not dried
orpreserved; not wilted, faded, or tainted; in good condition; as, fresh...
Preserve (61 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) That which ispreserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by suitable preparation;
esp., fruit cooked with sugar; -- commonly in the plural....
Visitation (17 Occurrences)
... (2) In a good sense, of God's care, providence and mercy: "Thy visitation (the Revised
Version margin "care") hathpreserved my spirit" (Job 10:12)....
Wineskins (7 Occurrences)
... spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins,
and both arepreserved." (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Mark 2:22 No...
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... Certain great hollows in the rocks also form natural reservoirs, in which
the rain water ispreserved through the summer months....
Peniel (4 Occurrences)
... given to the place by Jacob after his night of wrestling by the Jabbok, because,
as he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life ispreserved." It was a...
Poured (155 Occurrences)
... otherwise the skins burst and the wine is poured out, and the skins will be destroyed;
but they put new wine into new skins, and both arepreserved together....
Resources
How was the gospel preserved during the Middle Ages? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Verbal Plenary Preservation? | GotQuestions.orgIs the original Bible still in existence? | GotQuestions.orgPreserved: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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