Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "travailing" in the Bible often refers to the intense labor and pain associated with childbirth. However, it is also used metaphorically to describe deep spiritual or emotional anguish, struggle, or effort. The concept of travailing is frequently associated with the process of bringing forth something new, whether it be physical birth, spiritual renewal, or the fulfillment of God's purposes.
Biblical References:1.
Physical Childbirth: Travailing is most commonly associated with the physical act of childbirth. In
Genesis 3:16, God tells Eve, "I will greatly increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children." This verse establishes the connection between travailing and the labor pains experienced by women during childbirth.
2.
Spiritual Travail: The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his spiritual labor for the Galatians. In
Galatians 4:19, he writes, "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Here, Paul expresses his deep concern and effort in nurturing the spiritual growth of the believers.
3.
Prophetic Imagery: The prophets often used the imagery of travailing to describe the intense experiences associated with God's judgment or the anticipation of deliverance.
Isaiah 26:17-18 states, "As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD. We were with child, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth, nor have the inhabitants of the world been born."
4.
End Times and Creation: In
Romans 8:22, Paul speaks of creation itself as travailing: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This passage suggests that the entire creation is in a state of anticipation and longing for the ultimate redemption and renewal that will come with the return of Christ.
5.
Prayer and Intercession: Travailing is also associated with fervent prayer and intercession. In
Colossians 4:12, Epaphras is described as "always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God." This laboring in prayer can be seen as a form of spiritual travail, where the intercessor experiences deep emotional and spiritual exertion on behalf of others.
Theological Significance:Travailing, both in its literal and metaphorical senses, is a powerful image of the struggle and effort involved in bringing forth new life, whether physical or spiritual. It underscores the reality of suffering and pain as part of the human experience, yet it also points to the hope and joy that can emerge from such struggles. In the Christian life, travailing can be seen as a necessary process for spiritual growth, transformation, and the fulfillment of God's purposes. The imagery of travailing serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the labor involved in advancing the Kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Travail.
Library
Travailing for Souls
...Travailing for Souls. A Sermon (No.1009). Delivered on Lord's-day Morning, September
3rd, 1871, by. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington....
Travailing in Birth for Souls. Gal 4:19
... HYMNS after Sermons to young people, on new-years evenings, suited to the subjects.
Hymn 26Travailing in birth for souls....Travailing in birth for souls....
Psalm LIII.
... the end, for Maeleth, understanding to David himself." "For Maeleth," as we find
in interpretations of Hebrew names, seemeth to say, For onetravailing, or in...
From the Twelfth Chapter.
... And being with child, she cried outtravailing, and bearing torments that she might
bring forth."] The woman clothed with the sun, and having the moon under...
A Confirmation of what Hath Been Said, Particularly of the...
... to ransack thy conscience, for this will now but do thee harm, and either put thee
quite out of thy, way or at least unprofitably delay thytravailing in it....
Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... At this present time, the groaning andtravailing which are general
throughout creation, are deeply felt among the sons of men....
Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... The joy of answered prayer is the joy of atravailing mother when a man child is
born in to the world, the joy of a slave whose chains have been burst asunder...
Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense...
... [675] But so did circumstances require him to "become all things to all, in order
to gain all;" [676] "travailing in birth with them until Christ should be...
The Holy Communion.
... All creation was groaning andtravailing in pain, and waiting for redemption, then
said He""Lo, I come." The souls of the faithful were in Hades, prophets...
The Genesis of Sanctifying Grace, or the Process of Justification
... maternal womb. Like physical birth, spiritual regeneration is preceded by
travailing, ie fear and painful contrition. The dogmatic...
Thesaurus
Travailing (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Travailing (16 Occurrences).
... Revelation 12:2 And she being
with child cried,
travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
...Pained (41 Occurrences)
... crimes): (ASV). Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried,travailing
in birth, and pained to be delivered. (KJV WBS YLT). Genesis...
Travail (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried,travailing in birth, and pained
to be delivered.... Now I will cry out like atravailing woman....
Travaileth (9 Occurrences)
Seized (118 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Psalms 48:6 Trembling hath seized them there, Pain, as of atravailing
woman. (YLT NAS NIV). Psalms 56:1 For the Chief Musician....
Seize (91 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 21:3 Therefore filled have been my loins 'with' great pain, Pangs have seized
me as pangs of atravailing woman, I have been bent down by hearing, I...
Nested (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 22:23 O dweller in Lebanon, making a nest among cedars, How gracious hast
thou been when pangs come to thee, Pain -- as of atravailing woman....
Unwise (16 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Hosea 13:13 The sorrows of atravailing woman will come on him. He is an
unwise son; for when it is time, he doesn't come to the opening of the womb....
Gasping (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 42:14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained
myself: now will I cry out like atravailing woman; I will gasp and pant...
Groan (32 Occurrences)
... Stephen calls the groaning of Israel in Egypt stenagmos (Acts 7:34), and the united
wail of thetravailing creation is expressed by Paul by the word...
Resources
What is the meaning of travail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgTravailing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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