Topical Encyclopedia
Vitality, in a biblical context, refers to the life force or energy that God imparts to His creation, particularly to human beings. It encompasses physical strength, spiritual vigor, and the overall zest for life that comes from a relationship with God. The Bible presents vitality as a gift from God, essential for fulfilling His purposes and living a life that honors Him.
Biblical FoundationsThe concept of vitality is deeply rooted in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 2:7 , we read, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage highlights that human vitality originates from God's breath, signifying that true life and energy are derived from Him.
Physical VitalityPhysical vitality is often associated with strength and health. In the Old Testament, figures like Caleb exemplify this aspect. At the age of eighty-five, Caleb declared, "I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out; my strength for battle and for going out and coming in is now as it was then" (
Joshua 14:11). His enduring strength is attributed to his faithfulness and reliance on God.
The Psalms frequently speak of God as the source of physical vitality.
Psalm 103:5 states, "He satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." This renewal of strength is a divine blessing, emphasizing that God sustains and invigorates His people.
Spiritual VitalitySpiritual vitality is characterized by a fervent relationship with God, marked by faith, hope, and love. Jesus speaks of this in
John 10:10 , saying, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This abundant life is not merely physical but encompasses a deep, spiritual vitality that transforms the believer's entire existence.
The Apostle Paul also addresses spiritual vitality in his letters. In
Ephesians 3:16 , he prays that believers "may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being." This inner strength is crucial for living a life that reflects God's glory and purpose.
Vitality in Wisdom LiteratureThe wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly Proverbs, often links vitality with wisdom and righteousness.
Proverbs 3:7-8 advises, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." Here, vitality is connected to moral and spiritual integrity, suggesting that a life aligned with God's wisdom results in physical and spiritual well-being.
Vitality and the Holy SpiritThe New Testament emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting vitality.
Romans 8:11 declares, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you." The Holy Spirit is the agent of vitality, empowering believers to live in accordance with God's will.
Vitality in the Christian LifeFor Christians, vitality is not merely a natural attribute but a supernatural endowment that enables them to serve God effectively. It involves a dynamic relationship with Christ, who is the source of all life. As believers abide in Him, they experience the vitality necessary to bear fruit and fulfill their God-given mission (
John 15:5).
In summary, vitality in the Bible is a multifaceted concept encompassing physical strength, spiritual vigor, and the abundant life found in Christ. It is a divine gift that empowers believers to live purposefully and joyfully in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Physical or mental strength and health; power to live and thrive; vital force; animation; as, the vitality of eggs or vegetable seeds; the vitality of an enterprise.
Greek
5590. psuche -- breath, the soul... only; thus distinguished on the one hand from pneuma, which is the rational and
immortal soul; and on the other from zoe, which is mere
vitality, even of plants
...Strong's Hebrew
5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire...... From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, ie Animal of (abstractly)
vitality;
used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or
...3955. lashad -- juice, juicy or dainty bit, a dainty
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition juice, juicy or dainty bit, a dainty
NASB Word Usage cakes baked (1),vitality (1). fresh, moisture....
Library
The Soul'svitality and Intelligence. Its Character and Seat in...
... Chapter XV."The Soul'sVitality and Intelligence. Its Character and Seat
in Man. In the first place, (we must determine) whether...
Wesley's Remarkablevitality
... Chapter 9. Wesley's Marriage; Dealings with Cornwall Smugglers; His Illness
and Recovery Wesley's RemarkableVitality. 1752. Sunday...
The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act of...
... Chapter LIII."The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act ofVitality;
Never Partially or Fractionally Withdrawn from the Body....
The Intellect Coeval with the Soul in the Human Being an Example...
... They maintain that the stage of infancy is supported by the soul alone, simply to
promotevitality, without any intention of acquiring knowledge also, because...
Strong Souls.
... physical quality. It comes of a certain superbvitality, a power of unconscious
living, well-strung nerves, a quickly-working brain. I...
The Problem of Evil
... Thus sickness is a tendency towards death, and death is simply the cessation
of physicalvitality. And sin is a tendency towards...
Tertullian Refutes, Physiologically, the Notion that the Soul is...
... womb, nor is formed and produced at the time that the flesh is moulded, but is
impressed from without upon the infant before his completevitality, but after...
The Crown of Life
... encouragement. The first was a prosperous, busy church, without spiritual
vitality, and the prophecy was that its light should go out....
October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath...
... The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there
as a new law of divine strength andvitality, and counteracts, overcomes and...
How to Speak in Public
... was invariably a disappointment. To push a great speech before him for
an hour or more used up most of hisvitality. It was like...
Thesaurus
Vitality (1 Occurrence)... (n.) Physical or mental strength and health; power to live and thrive; vital force;
animation; as, the
vitality of eggs or vegetable
...Vitality (1 Occurrence).
...Evolution
... science, however, which limits itself to the observation of facts, it can scarcely
emerge as a question, since the true nature ofvitality is beyond the reach...
Life (6001 Occurrences)
... Frequently it means "life," the "seat of life," and in this way it is used about
171 times in the Old Testament, referring to the principle ofvitality in both...
Vividly (1 Occurrence)
Vital (2 Occurrences)
Language (112 Occurrences)
... dialects, beginning to be disregarded in even the early (popular) Babylonian, lost
also in the dialects of modern Arabic are in fullvitality throughout the...
Lower (72 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the
temperature of anything; to lower one'svitality; to lower distilled liquors....
Go (17871 Occurrences)
... 20. (n.) A glass of spirits. 21. (n.) Power of going or doing; energy;vitality;
perseverance; push; as, there is no go in him. 22....
Gangrene (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A term formerly restricted to mortification of the soft tissues which has
not advanced so far as to produce complete loss ofvitality; but now applied...
Inform (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To give form or share to; to give vital organizing power to; to give life
to; to imbue and actuate withvitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to...
Resources
How old was Moses when he died? How long did Moses live? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we live in a fallen world? | GotQuestions.orgIs Christianity a white man's religion? | GotQuestions.orgVitality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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