The term "adequate" refers to something that is sufficient or satisfactory in quality or quantity to meet a particular need or purpose. In a biblical context, the concept of adequacy often relates to God's provision, human capability, and the sufficiency of God's grace and word.

Divine Provision and Sufficiency

The Bible frequently emphasizes God's ability to provide adequately for His people. In Philippians 4:19 , the Apostle Paul assures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the belief that God is fully capable of meeting the needs of His followers, both materially and spiritually.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced God's adequate provision during their journey through the wilderness. Exodus 16 recounts how God provided manna from heaven to sustain them. Despite their grumbling, God ensured they had enough to eat each day, demonstrating His sufficiency and care.

Human Capability and Limitations

While God is portrayed as fully adequate, human beings are often depicted as limited and in need of divine assistance. In 2 Corinthians 3:5 , Paul writes, "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God." This passage highlights the belief that human adequacy is derived from God, not from personal ability or merit.

The account of Gideon in Judges 6-7 illustrates this principle. Despite his initial doubts and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon is chosen by God to lead Israel against the Midianites. Through God's empowerment, Gideon achieves victory, demonstrating that human adequacy is often realized through divine strength.

The Sufficiency of God's Grace

The New Testament further elaborates on the theme of adequacy through the sufficiency of God's grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts God'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.'" This verse is pivotal in understanding that God's grace is adequate to sustain believers through trials and weaknesses.

The sufficiency of Scripture is another aspect of divine adequacy. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "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 passage affirms that Scripture provides all that is necessary for spiritual growth and righteous living.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of adequacy in the Bible is closely tied to God's provision, human reliance on divine strength, and the sufficiency of God's grace and word. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ability to meet their needs and to find their adequacy in Him rather than in their own capabilities.1. (a.) Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition.

2. (v.) To equalize; to make adequate.

3. (v.) To equal.

2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit
... Word Origin from hikneomai (to come, reach, attain to) Definition sufficient, fit
NASB Word Usage able (1), adequate (2), aloud (1), considerable (4), enough (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2425.htm - 8k

2427. hikanoo -- to make sufficient
... See 2425 (). Word Origin from hikanos Definition to make sufficient NASB
Word Usage made...adequate (1), qualified (1). make able. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2427.htm - 6k

1867. epaineo -- to praise
... Cognate: 1867 (from 1909 , ", fitting" which intensifies 134 , "to praise") -- to
praise in a fitting (apt) manner, ie as appropriate (adequate) to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1867.htm - 7k

739. artios -- fitted, complete
... Word Origin from arti Definition fitted, complete NASB Word Usage adequate (1).
perfect, complete. From arti; fresh, ie (by implication) complete -- perfect. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/739.htm - 7k

1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
... 1537 , "out of" intensifying 639 , "without exit, passageway") -- properly, without
passage (no way out); (figuratively) to lack adequate resources (solutions ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1820.htm - 8k

1730. endeigma -- an indication, a proof
... 1730 (a neuter noun) -- A plain (undeniable) demonstration or display which is
conspicuously , ie as a token of that is adequate (persuasive, validating). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1730.htm - 6k

379. anapologetos -- without excuse
... It "occurs in documents from the second century before Christ. Frequently
it describes the , while lacking an adequate defense. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/379.htm - 8k

772. asthenes -- without strength, weak
... of (). 722 () refers to a ("") - literally, "without adequate strength"
and hence ", (sickly).". Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/772.htm - 8k

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... On the Trinity. Book I. When I was seeking an employment adequate to the
powers of human life and righteous? 1. When I was seeking ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

Translations. The Principal Latin Versions have Been Referred to ...
... The principal Latin versions have been referred to in 1. Of those in foreign
languages it is not easy to procure adequate information. Fialon. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 2 translations the principal.htm

Notwithstanding their Conceits, the God of the Marcionites Fails ...
... Chapter XVIII."Notwithstanding Their Conceits, the God of the Marcionites Fails
in the Vouchers Both of Created Evidence and of Adequate Revelation. ...
/.../chapter xviii notwithstanding their conceits the.htm

He is Stimulated to Speak of Him by the Longing of a Grateful Mind ...
... To the Utmost of His Ability He Thinks He Ought to Thank Him. From God are the
Beginnings of All Blessings; And to Him Adequate Thanks Cannot Be Returned. ...
/.../argument iii he is stimulated to.htm

First Then, it is Absolutely and Undeniably Certain, that ...
... is joined; though we can indeed demonstrate certain propositions to be true, yet
it is impossible for us to comprehend or frame any adequate or complete ideas ...
/.../i proposition i first then.htm

Moral Depravity.
... An effect only implies an adequate cause. ... When we have found an adequate cause,
it is unphilosophical to look for and assign another. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiv moral depravity.htm

Materialists.
... invariable, and therefore necessary. It is universally acknowledged that there
can be no effect without an adequate cause. This is even ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/materialists.htm

Shod for the Road
... The substance, then, of that promise seems to be"strength adequate to, and unworn
by, exercise; while the second clause, though not altogether plain, seems ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/shod for the road.htm

Twenty-Sixth Proposition of Arminius
... Glory, also, in both cases, is universally supernatural, both that which is adequate
to the mode of nature, and that which is above nature. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/twenty-sixth proposition of arminius.htm

Missionary Programs and Rural Community Service
... 3. The provision of church building and equipment within a reasonable time adequate
to the needs of the community at its present stage of development. ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter x missionary programs and.htm

Adequate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient;
as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition. ...
/a/adequate.htm - 7k

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 ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Full (1047 Occurrences)
... quantity, quality, or degree; copious; plenteous; ample; adequate; as, a full meal;
a full supply; a full voice; a full compensation; a house full of furniture ...
/f/full.htm - 36k

Enough (655 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Satisfying desire; giving content; adequate to meet the want; sufficient; --
usually, and more elegantly, following the noun to which it belongs. ...
/e/enough.htm - 7k

Adequacy (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of being adequate, proportionate,
or sufficient; a sufficiency for a particular purpose; as, the adequacy ...
/a/adequacy.htm - 6k

Adequately (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an adequate manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Adequately (1 Occurrence). Acts 18:26 He began ...
/a/adequately.htm - 6k

Answer (2099 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) To be opposite to; to face. 9. (n.) To be or act an equivalent to,
or as adequate or sufficient for; to serve for; to repay. 10. ...
/a/answer.htm - 10k

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 ...
/s/sufficient.htm - 15k

Affliction (120 Occurrences)
... view in early Hebrew theology was that afflictions were the result of the Divine
law of retribution, by which sin was invariably followed by adequate punishment ...
/a/affliction.htm - 53k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... He had forgiven them, though in fact such an attitude on the part of God was without
such a foundation as was later supplied by an adequate atonement, and so ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

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