Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Supporting, in a biblical context, refers to the act of upholding, assisting, or providing for others, whether through physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial means. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, where believers are encouraged to support one another as a reflection of God's love and provision.
Biblical References:1.
Mutual Support Among Believers: The early church exemplified the principle of supporting one another. In
Acts 2:44-45 , it is recorded, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This passage highlights the communal support and generosity that characterized the early Christian community.
2.
Bearing One Another's Burdens:Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This verse emphasizes the importance of empathy and active assistance, encouraging Christians to help each other through life's challenges.
3.
Financial Support and Generosity: The Bible frequently addresses the importance of financial support and generosity. In
2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This passage underscores the attitude with which believers should support others financially, highlighting the value of willing and joyful giving.
4.
Support Through Encouragement: Encouragement is another vital form of support.
Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage calls believers to support each other through fellowship and encouragement, fostering spiritual growth and perseverance.
5.
Support for Leaders and Ministers: The Bible also addresses the need to support those in leadership and ministry roles. In
1 Timothy 5:17-18 , Paul advises, "Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The worker is worthy of his wages.'" This instruction highlights the responsibility of the church to provide for its leaders.
6.
Support for the Needy and Vulnerable: Scripture consistently calls for the support of the needy and vulnerable.
James 1:27 declares, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse emphasizes the importance of caring for those who are most in need, reflecting God's compassion and justice.
Theological Implications:Supporting others is a tangible expression of Christian love and obedience to God's commandments. It reflects the character of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve (
Mark 10:45). By supporting one another, believers demonstrate the unity and love that Jesus prayed for in
John 17:21 , "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."
Practical Application:Christians are called to actively seek opportunities to support others in various aspects of life. This includes providing for physical needs, offering emotional and spiritual encouragement, and contributing to the financial needs of the church and community. By doing so, believers fulfill the law of Christ and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Support.
Greek
5007. talanton -- a balance, hence that which is weighed, ie a...... Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao (to bear; equivalent
to phero); a balance (as
supporting weights), ie (by implication) a certain
...5256. hupereteo -- to serve as a rower, to minister to, serve
... a on a ship). In classical Greek, 5256 ("serving,supporting") is always
metaphorical for "" (). See 5257 (). Word Origin from huperetes...
996. boetheia -- help
... 996 () is also used of the help provided by ropes (tackle, etc.).]. Word Origin
from boetheo Definition help NASB Word Usage help (1),supporting cables (1)....
4745. stoa -- a portico
... 4745 -- a ,supporting a covered-colonnade (like in the Temple precinct); a portico,
usually open on one side so people could congregate and talk....
Strong's Hebrew
5583. sead -- to support, sustain... 5582, 5583. sead. 5584 . to support, sustain. Transliteration: sead Phonetic
Spelling: (seh-ad') Short Definition:
supporting. Word
...547. omnah -- pillar
... of aman, qv. pillar Feminine active participle of 'omen (in the original sense of
supporting); a column -- pillar. see HEBREW 'omen. 546, 547. omnah. 548 ....
2947. tephach -- a span, handbreadth, coping
... From taphach; a spread of the hand, ie A palm- breadth (not "span" of the fingers);
architecturally, a corbel (as asupporting palm) -- coping, hand-breadth....
5826. azar -- to help, succor
... Usage ally (1), furthered (1), granted (1), help (38), helped (19), helper (6),
helpers (2), helping (1), helps (8), protect (1), restrains (1),supporting (1...
Library
Peculiarities of Tennessee Synod.
... The Fifth Article of the Tennessee Constitution provides: "Neither shall they
have any particular treasury for the purpose ofsupporting . . ....
Introduction.
... for the language of the treatise, the date and place of its composition, alike forbid
any notion of fraud), but with the view ofsupporting his opinions by the...
Introductory Notice to Two Epistles Concerning virginity
...Supporting, as they do, the ascetic tendency prevalent in the Western Church at
and after the date when they are first noticed by Christian writers, they would...
Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills
... "An Address to the Baptists, Quakers, Rogerines, and all other denominations of
Christians in Connecticut, freed by law fromsupporting what has been called...
Psalm XLII.
... but the one who took the lead in bearing the burden of their heads, when tired,
returns to the rear, and rests himself after his fatigue bysupporting his head...
Moravians, or United Brethren.
... from motives of piety and a desire to prepare themselves to become missionaries
among the heathen, and where, moreover, the difficulties ofsupporting a family...
Letter vii. (AD 389. )
... to which the things that we learn are not introduced to our minds as new, but brought
back to memory by a process of recollection;supporting their objection...
Whether the Duties of Piety Towards One's Parents Should be...
... Now in accordance with those observances they are hindered fromsupporting their
parents, both on the score of poverty, since they have nothing of their own...
Of the Metropolis of Christian Apostasy, the Mystic Babylon.
... out of those ten horns, or kings, there will be some, who at length will hate the
harlot, whom they have so long servilely assisted insupporting, (which, we...
Shakers, or the United Society of Believers.
... We must either put off the old man, Adam, and his works, which are well known to
be multiplying andsupporting of an earthly kingdom, which is the kingdom of...
Thesaurus
Supporting (31 Occurrences)... n.) of Support. Multi-Version Concordance
Supporting (31 Occurrences). Acts 27:17
After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship.
...Supported (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:21 Then there was a division among the people of Israel; half the people
were for making Tibni, son of Ginath, king, and half weresupporting Omri....
Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and
by which it is supported; the lowest andsupporting layer of a superstructure...
Support (135 Occurrences)
... supported by his two sons. 11. (n.) The act, state, or operation ofsupporting,
upholding, or sustaining. 12. (n.) That which upholds...
Supports (25 Occurrences)
Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... As the order or warrant was a Jewish one, the temple officers would probably
be in front, the soldierssupporting them as reserves....
Trial (45 Occurrences)
... As the order or warrant was a Jewish one, the temple officers would probably
be in front, the soldierssupporting them as reserves....
Rooms (69 Occurrences)
... the middle six cubits wide and the third seven cubits; for there was a space all
round the outside walls of the house so that the boardssupporting the rooms...
Vital (2 Occurrences)
... vital actions. 2. (a.) Contributing to life; necessary to, orsupporting,
life; as, vital blood. 3. (a.) Containing life; living. 4...
Outshining (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who, being the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance,
supporting all things by the word of his power, having given himself as an...
Resources
What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.orgSupport GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians support the nation of Israel? | GotQuestions.orgSupporting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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