Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "trained" often refers to the process of instruction, discipline, and preparation for a specific purpose or calling. This training can be spiritual, moral, or practical, and is seen as essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and effective in His service.
Old Testament ContextThe idea of training is evident in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the upbringing and instruction of children.
Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse underscores the importance of early education and moral guidance, suggesting that a solid foundation in God's ways will have lasting effects throughout a person's life.
Training is also seen in the preparation of individuals for specific roles. For example, the Levites were trained for their duties in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, as outlined in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. This training was both practical, involving the performance of rituals and sacrifices, and spiritual, requiring a deep understanding of God's laws and commands.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of training is expanded to include spiritual discipline and growth. The Apostle Paul frequently uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for rigorous training and self-discipline. In
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 , Paul writes, "Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."
Paul's letters to Timothy also highlight the importance of training in godliness. In
1 Timothy 4:7-8 , he advises, "Train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come." Here, training is not merely about physical or intellectual preparation but involves cultivating a life that reflects the character and values of Christ.
Discipleship and TrainingThe concept of training is integral to the process of discipleship. Jesus Himself trained His disciples through teaching, example, and sending them out to minister. In
Matthew 28:19-20 , known as the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This directive implies a continuous process of training and instruction, ensuring that new believers are equipped to live out their faith and share it with others.
Spiritual Gifts and TrainingTraining is also relevant in the context of spiritual gifts. Believers are encouraged to develop and use their gifts for the edification of the church. In
Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul explains that Christ "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This equipping involves training believers to effectively use their gifts in service to God and others.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of being "trained" encompasses a holistic approach to preparation, involving the mind, body, and spirit. It is a lifelong process that begins in childhood and continues throughout a believer's life, aimed at fostering a deep relationship with God and equipping individuals for His service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Train.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TRAIN; TRAINEDtran, trand: The word is used in two places in both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), namely,Genesis 14:14, where it means "drilled," "prepared for war," andProverbs 22:6. "Train up a child" means more than to teach, and includes everything that pertains to the proper development of the child, especially in its moral and spiritual nature. In this broader sense also the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "train" for the "teach" of the King James Version inTitus 2:4 (sophronizo).
Greek
3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple... o) Short Definition: I make disciples, make into disciples Definition: I make a
disciple of, train in discipleship; pass: I am
trained, discipled, instructed.
...2675. katartizo -- to complete, prepare
... Word Origin from kata and artizo (to get ready, prepare) Definition to complete,
prepare NASB Word Usage complete (1), equip (1), fullytrained (1), made...
1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... gymnasium"). Word Origin from gumnos Definition to exercise naked, to train
NASB Word Usage discipline (1),trained (3). exercise, train....
1253. diakrisis -- the act of judgment
... Heb 5:14: "But solid food relates to mature people (5046 ), of those having the
sense-facultiestrained ('exercised,' Gk perfect tense) on account of the...
Strong's Hebrew
2593. chanik --trained, tried, experienced... 2592, 2593. chanik. 2594 .
trained, tried, experienced. Transliteration: chanik
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-neek') Short Definition: men.
...trained.
...3256. yasar -- to discipline, chasten, admonish
... 1), disciplines (1), disciplining (1), gave instruction (1), instructed (2), instructs
(2), punish (2), take warning (1), taught (1),trained (1), turned (1...
3925. lamad -- to exercise in, learn
... 5), really learn (1), skillful (1), taught (15), teach (30), teachers (1), teaches
(3), teaching (1), teaching and again (1), train (1),trained (2), trains (3...
6635. tsaba -- army, war, warfare
... 1), conflict (1), forced to labor (1), hardship (1), host (30), hosts (292), hosts
is the army (1), most (1), service (10), struggle (1),trained (1), war (35...
Library
ATrained Ear.
... The Listening Side of Prayer ATrained Ear.... Where the faculties are normal the
tongue istrained only through the ear. This is nature's method....
A Sight of the Crowned Christ
... He has wooed and then wooed more, and a bit longer, gently, persistently, up and
away and apart until at last the man's eyes weretrained away from the lower...
The Instructor Characterized by the Severity and Benignity of...
... The view I take is, that He Himself formed man of the dust, and regenerated him
by water; and made him grow by his Spirit; andtrained him by His word to...
On the Education of Children
... 1. We must not imagine that these words are to be understood in an absolute sense,
as if no child that had beentrained up in the way wherein he should go had...
A Casket of Jewels
... The Teaching Staff consists entirely of women, all of whom have beentrained here,
and we shall perhaps get our best view of them at the Teachers' Meeting held...
A Talk to Preachers
... The minister as an interpreter of the highest spiritual truth should bring to his
work a thoroughlytrained emotional nature and a cultivated speaking voice....
The Brethren at Home.
... It is not our custom to appoint ministers who have beentrained at advanced schools
in languages and fine arts.... Hetrained theological students....
He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this...
... If then I have beentrained to this practice, and this evil tree has indeed its
roots within me, it is impossible but that corresponding fruits should have...
Orphanages.
... In our own country, with all its advantages, we have numerous orphanages, where
many are sheltered andtrained for useful life, who would otherwise be thrown...
Who are These Men who are Wont to Dispute at Such Great Length in...
... If indeed Origen had written six thousand books, it is possible that a man of great
learning, who had beentrained from his infancy in sacred literature might...
Thesaurus
Trained (37 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Train. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TRAIN;
TRAINED.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Trained (37 Occurrences).
...Well-trained (1 Occurrence)
Well-trained. Well-to-do, Well-trained. Well-tried . Multi-Version
Concordance Well-trained (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles...
Expert (59 Occurrences)
... the maker of needlework in blue and purple and red and the best linen, and of the
maker of cloth; in all the arts of the designer and thetrained workman they...
Train (17 Occurrences)
... is that of God's robe (the Revised Version margin "skirts"). TRAIN;TRAINED.
tran, trand: The word is used in two places in both...
Young (3454 Occurrences)
... Abraham's "young men" (ne`arim) were "trained servants," "trained men," warriors
(Genesis 14:24; compare 14:14 the Revised Version (British and American))....
Needlework (23 Occurrences)
... the maker of needlework in blue and purple and red and the best linen, and of the
maker of cloth; in all the arts of the designer and thetrained workman they...
Good-looking (7 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Daniel 1:4 Young men who were strong and healthy, good-looking, andtrained
in all wisdom, having a good education and much knowledge, and able to take...
Gourd (4 Occurrences)
... in great abundance on the alluvial banks of the Tigris and on the plain between
the river and the ruins of Nineveh." At the present day it istrained to run...
Women (328 Occurrences)
... Abraham's "young men" (ne`arim) were "trained servants," "trained men," warriors
(Genesis 14:24; compare 14:14 the Revised Version (British and American))....
Eunice (1 Occurrence)
... Happily conquering, the mother of Timothy, a believing Jewess, but married to a
Greek (Acts 16:1). Shetrained her son from his childhood in the knowledge of...
Resources
Who was John Wesley? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I increase my spiritual discernment? | GotQuestions.orgAbout GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.orgTrained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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