Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "sufficient" in the Bible often relates to God's provision, grace, and the adequacy of His gifts to meet the needs of His people. The term underscores the belief that God provides exactly what is necessary for His purposes to be fulfilled in the lives of believers.
Divine ProvisionOne of the most direct references to sufficiency in the Bible is found in
2 Corinthians 12:9, where the Apostle Paul recounts the Lord's response to his plea for relief from a "thorn in the flesh": "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." . This passage highlights the sufficiency of God's grace, emphasizing that His power is made perfect in human weakness. It reassures believers that God's grace is enough to sustain them through trials and challenges.
Contentment and TrustThe theme of sufficiency is also closely tied to contentment and trust in God's provision. In
Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." . Here, Paul expresses a profound sense of contentment, rooted in the sufficiency of Christ's strength, which enables him to endure all situations.
God's Provision in Daily NeedsThe Bible also speaks to God's sufficiency in meeting daily needs. In
Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus instructs His followers: "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." . This passage assures believers that God is aware of their needs and will provide sufficiently as they prioritize His kingdom and righteousness.
Sufficiency in God's WordThe sufficiency of Scripture is another important aspect, as it is seen as fully adequate for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." . This underscores the belief that the Bible contains all that is necessary for guiding believers in faith and practice.
Sufficiency in ChristUltimately, the sufficiency of Christ is central to Christian theology.
Colossians 2:9-10 declares, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority." . This passage affirms that believers are made complete in Christ, who embodies the fullness of God, providing all that is necessary for spiritual life and godliness.
In summary, the biblical concept of sufficiency encompasses God's provision, grace, and the completeness found in Christ and His Word. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to meet their needs and to find contentment in His perfect provision.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as, provision sufficient for the family; an army sufficient to defend the country.
2. (a.) Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.
3. (a.) Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
4. (a.) Self-sufficient; self-satisfied; content.
Greek
842. autarkes -- self-sufficient,sufficient... self-
sufficient,
sufficient. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: autarkes
Phonetic Spelling: (ow-tar'-kace) Short Definition: self-
sufficient, contented
...2425. hikanos --sufficient, fit
...sufficient, fit. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hikanos Phonetic Spelling:
(hik-an-os') Short Definition:sufficient, worthy, many, much Definition...
713. arketos --sufficient
...sufficient. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: arketos Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-ket-os') Short Definition:sufficient Definition:sufficient, enough....
2427. hikanoo -- to makesufficient
... to makesufficient. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hikanoo Phonetic Spelling:
(hik-an-o'-o) Short Definition: I makesufficient Definition: I make...
714. arkeo -- to assist, suffice
... to assist, suffice. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: arkeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-keh'-o) Short Definition: I amsufficient, I suffice, am content...
1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epiousios Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-oo'-see-
os) Short Definition: for the morrow, necessary,sufficient Definition: for...
566. apechei -- it is enough.
... of apecho, qv. it is enough. Third person singular present indicative active of
apecho used impersonally; it issufficient -- it is enough. see GREEK apecho....
3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering
... 3115 (from 3117 , "long" and 2372 , "passion, anger") -- properly, long-passion,
ie waitingsufficient time before expressing anger....
5401. phobos -- panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
... 5401 (from , "to flee, withdraw") -- (from Homer about 900 bc on) 5401 () meant ,
fleeing because feeling inadequate (withoutsufficient , )....
728. arrabon -- an earnest (a part payment in advance for security...
... given. 728 () then represents backed by the purchaser who suppliessufficient
proof they will the entire pledge (promise). [728...
Strong's Hebrew
1767. day -- sufficiency, enough... 1), according (1), annually* (2), each time (2), enough (6), had enough (1), nothing*
(1), often (8), overflows* (1), plenty (1),
sufficient (4),
sufficient...7654. sobah -- satiety
... Word Origin from saba Definition satiety NASB Word Usage abundant (1), glutted
(1), satisfied (2), satisfied* (1),sufficient (1), what does not satisfy (1)....
5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... root Definition to reach, overtake NASB Word Usage able* (1), afford* (2), attained
(1), becomessufficient (1), caught (1), find (1), insufficient (2), last...
4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... 1), pleases* (1), possessed (1), present (15), reached (3), reaped (1), requires
(1), secured (1), seeking (1), spreads (1), strikes (1),sufficient (2), there...
Library
Jesus All-Sufficient.
... JESUS ALL-SUFFICIENT. JESUS ALL-SUFFICIENT. 6,5,7,5,6,11. "The Lord is my portion,
saith my soul.""Lam.3:24. "Wenn ich Ihr nur habe.". [47]Novalis....
"Sufficient for the Day. " June 6.
... "Sufficient for the Day." June 6. Let us not meddle with the future, and
matters which are too high for us, but refrain our souls...
February 8. "We are notSufficient of Ourselves to Think Anything...
... FEBRUARY 8. "We are notsufficient of ourselves to think anything as of
ourselves" (II. Cor. iii. 5). "We are notsufficient of...
The Difference Between not Being "Sufficient" and not Being "...
... Sixth Book. 20. The Difference Between Not Being "Sufficient" And Not Being
"Worthy.". John records that the Baptist said he was...
ASufficient Cause for the Resurrection of the Flesh Occurs in the...
... Chapter XIV."ASufficient Cause for the Resurrection of the Flesh Occurs
in the Future Judgment of Man. It Will Take Cognisance...
3D Day. All-Sufficient Grace.
... 3D DAY. All-Sufficient Grace. "He is Faithful that Promised." "God... 8.
All-Sufficient Grace. "All-sufficiency in all things!" Believer!...
My Grace isSufficient for Thee. 2Cor 12:09
... II CORINTHIANS Hymn 129 My grace issufficient for thee. 2Cor 12:9. John
Newton 8,8,8,8. My grace issufficient for thee.2Cor 12:9....
October 31. "My Grace isSufficient for Thee; for My Strength is...
... OCTOBER 31. "My grace issufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect
in weakness" (II. Cor. xii. 9). "My grace issufficient...
The GraceSufficient for Salvation is Conferred on the Elect, and...
... ARTICLE XXVIII (VIII.) The gracesufficient for salvation is conferred on the Elect,
and on the Non-elect; that, if they will, they may believe or not believe...
WhetherSufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE CEREMONIAL PRECEPTS (SIX ARTICLES) Whethersufficient reason
can be assigned for the ceremonies pertaining to holy things?...
Thesaurus
Sufficient (28 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent;
as, provision
sufficient for the family; an army
sufficient to defend the
...Adequate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fullysufficient;
as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition....
Daily (111 Occurrences)
... suggests either day by day (Exodus 5:13), that which is prepared for one daily
(Nehemiah 5:18), as eg our "daily bread," meaning breadsufficient for that day...
Suffice (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To be enough, orsufficient; to meet the need
(of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate....
Sufficiency (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:5 not that we aresufficient of ourselves, to account anything as
from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)....
Ransom (46 Occurrences)
... the King James Version, "and himself be able to redeem it" (in the Revised Version
(British and American) "and he be waxed rich and findsufficient to redeem it...
Synoptic
... Luke 1:4, the Revised Version (British and American)), and entrusted to the trained
memories of the Christian converts, is held to besufficient to account for...
Lama (2 Occurrences)
... The first two words, whether in Hebrew or Aramaic, havesufficient similarity to
each other and eachsufficient similarity to the name itself to warrant the...
Good (8348 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Adequate;sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a
commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred...
Fuel (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is notsufficient
to burn, nor the beasts thereofsufficient for a burnt-offering....
Resources
What is the principle of sufficient reason? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture? What does it mean that the Bible is sufficient? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I become a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgSufficient: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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