Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sooner" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of acting or arriving sooner than expected can be explored through various biblical narratives and principles. In Scripture, the idea of timing and the anticipation of events are significant themes, often reflecting God's sovereignty and human response to divine timing.
Biblical Principles of TimingThe Bible frequently addresses the importance of timing in God's plan.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This verse underscores the belief that God has ordained specific times for every event in life, and human actions should align with His divine schedule.
Examples of Acting Sooner1.
Abraham and Hagar: In
Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah acted sooner than God's promise by taking matters into their own hands. Sarah, unable to bear children, gave her maidservant Hagar to Abraham to conceive an heir. This premature action led to familial strife and long-term consequences, illustrating the pitfalls of acting ahead of God's timing.
2.
Saul's Impatience: In
1 Samuel 13, King Saul acted sooner than instructed by offering a burnt sacrifice before the prophet Samuel arrived. Saul's impatience and failure to wait for God's appointed time resulted in Samuel declaring that Saul's kingdom would not endure. This narrative highlights the importance of obedience and waiting on God's timing.
3.
The Prodigal Son: In
Luke 15, the parable of the prodigal son depicts a young man who demanded his inheritance sooner than was customary. His premature decision led to a life of wastefulness and hardship. This account serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of impatience and the value of repentance and restoration.
Anticipation of Christ's ReturnThe New Testament frequently addresses the anticipation of Christ's return, urging believers to remain vigilant and prepared. In
Matthew 24:44 , Jesus warns, "For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect." This exhortation emphasizes the need for spiritual readiness and the understanding that God's timing is beyond human prediction.
Lessons on Patience and TrustThe Bible encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to exercise patience.
James 5:7-8 advises, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near." This passage reassures Christians that patience is a virtue that aligns with faith in God's promises.
ConclusionWhile the term "sooner" is not directly mentioned in Scripture, the concept is woven throughout biblical teachings on timing, patience, and trust in God's plan. Believers are encouraged to wait on the Lord, understanding that His timing is perfect and His purposes are ultimately for their good.
Greek
5032. tachion -- more swiftly... singular of the comparative of tachus (as adverb); more swiftly, ie (in manner)
more rapidly, or (in time) more speedily -- out (run), quickly, shortly,
sooner...4250. prin -- before
... adverb akin to pro Definition before NASB Word Usage before (13). before, ere. Adverb
from pro; prior,sooner -- before (that), ere. see GREEK pro....
4708. spoudaioteros -- speedily
... speedily Adverb from spoudaioteros; more speedily, ieSooner than otherwise -- more
carefully. see GREEK spoudaioteros. (spoudaioteros) -- 1 Occurrence....
5036. tachus -- quick, swift
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition quick, swift NASB Word Usage faster
(1), quick (1), quickly (1), soon (2),sooner (1). swift....
Library
That by virtue of this Work a Sinner Truly Turned and Called to...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER That by Virtue of this work a sinner truly
turned and called to contemplation comethsooner to perfection than by any...
Whether one Person is Delivered from this PunishmentSooner than...
... QUALITY OF SOULS WHO EXPIATE ACTUAL SIN OR ITS PUNISHMENT IN PURGATORY (SIX ARTICLES)
Whether one person is delivered from this punishmentsooner than another?...
Reasons for his Rising on the Third Day. -1 notSooner for Else...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 26. Reasons for His rising on the Third
Day. (1) Notsooner for else His real death would be denied, nor (2) later; to...
Fruitless Faith
... Statements of Paul and of James must be reconciled, and if they were not, I would
be preparedsooner to throw overboard the statement of James than that of Paul...
The Life of the Honourable Archibald Campbel Marquis of Argyle.
... And nosooner did our reformation (commonly called the second reformation) begin
to dawn anno 1637, than he espoused the same cause himself; for we find next...
In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God...
... of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not createdsooner?
Answer to it. Shrewd saying of an old man. 2. For the...
The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians...
... They can do any thing now to pass away that, which is hastening as fast as thought:
time is always upon the wing; it is nosooner present but it is past, and...
Of the Fourth Consideration of the Sacred, Holy Stigmata
... by the shepherds who had seen Mount Alvernia on fire, and who took it to be a token
of some great miracle wrought by God on his person, nosooner had he...
Preface
... Thesooner this is realized thesooner some of the most difficult problems of the
Church, of the Sunday-school, and of popular religious education will be...
The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... Yet,sooner or later, the conquest comes;sooner or later, whether it be art or
music, history or philosophy, Christianity utilises the best that the world...
Thesaurus
Sooner (21 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sooner (21 Occurrences). Matthew 12:43 "No
sooner however has the foul spirit gone out of the man, then
...Spoken (631 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:72 Nosooner had he spoken than a cock crowed for the second time, and Peter
recollected the words of Jesus, "Before the cock crows twice, you will...
Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... Afterwards when a dead body is laid in Elisha's grave a year after his burial, no
sooner does it touch the hallowed remains than the man "revived, and stood up...
Vulgate
... Some parts of Jerome's Vulgate (390-405 AD) won their way to popularity muchsooner
than others-the Old Latin versions died hard and not without inflicting...
Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... 2. The Ist Dynasty: Nosooner had Jeroboam I been elected the first ruler of the
newly founded state than he set about managing its affairs with the energy for...
Nearly (13 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But nosooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his
fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat...
Or (15123 Occurrences)
... 2. (prep. & adv.) Ere; before;sooner than. 3. (n.) Yellow or gold color, --
represented in drawing or engraving by small dots....
Omri (16 Occurrences)
... The conspiracy evidently lacked the support of the people, for the report that Zimri
had usurped the throne nosooner reached the army at Gibbethon, than the...
Longevity
... Maturity is earlier, and signs of senility appear among themsooner than
among the same class in Great Britain. Alexander Macalister....
Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 19:34 Nosooner, however, did they see that he was a Jew, than there
arose from them all one roar of shouting, lasting about two hours....
Resources
Is there any evidence for the Bible's view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to hate my own sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.orgSooner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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