In biblical terms, the concept of an "associate" refers to a companion, partner, or fellow worker in various contexts, both secular and spiritual. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings regarding associations, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's companions wisely and the impact they can have on one's spiritual journey.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, associations often pertain to familial, tribal, or national relationships. The Israelites were frequently reminded of the importance of maintaining their distinct identity by being cautious about their associations with surrounding nations. In Exodus 34:12, God warns the Israelites, "Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst." This highlights the potential negative influence of ungodly associations.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the subject of associations, emphasizing the impact of one's companions on personal character. Proverbs 13:20 states, "He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." This underscores the biblical principle that associations can either lead one towards wisdom and righteousness or towards folly and destruction.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of association extends to the early Christian community and the relationships among believers. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the importance of fellowship and unity within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This admonition reflects the ongoing concern for the influence of associations on one's spiritual life.

The early church is depicted as a community of believers who were devoted to fellowship and mutual support. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christians: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This passage highlights the positive aspect of associations within the Christian community, where believers are encouraged to support and edify one another.

Spiritual Implications

Associations in the Bible are not merely social or economic but carry significant spiritual implications. Believers are called to be discerning in their relationships, ensuring that their associations align with their commitment to Christ. The Bible encourages believers to form associations that promote spiritual growth and accountability.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul advises, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This verse is often interpreted as a call for Christians to be cautious in forming close partnerships or alliances with those who do not share their faith, as such associations can lead to spiritual compromise.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the necessity of interacting with the world, it consistently emphasizes the importance of maintaining associations that foster spiritual growth and uphold Christian values. Believers are encouraged to seek out relationships that encourage righteousness, wisdom, and mutual edification, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.1. (v. t.) To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or confederate; as, to associate others with us in business, or in an enterprise.

2. (v. t.) To join or connect; to combine in acting; as, particles of gold associated with other substances.

3. (v. t.) To connect or place together in thought.

4. (v. t.) To accompany; to keep company with.

5. (v. i.) To unite in company; to keep company, implying intimacy; as, congenial minds are disposed to associate.

6. (v. i.) To unite in action, or to be affected by the action of a different part of the body.

7. (a.) Closely connected or joined with some other, as in interest, purpose, employment, or office; sharing responsibility or authority; as, an associate judge.

8. (a.) Admitted to some, but not to all, rights and privileges; as, an associate member.

9. (a.) Connected by habit or sympathy; as, associate motions, such as occur sympathetically, in consequence of preceding motions.

10. (n.) A companion; one frequently in company with another, implying intimacy or equality; a mate; a fellow.

11. (n.) A partner in interest, as in business; or a confederate in a league.

12. (n.) One connected with an association or institution without the full rights or privileges of a regular member; as, an associate of the Royal Academy.

13. (n.) Anything closely or usually connected with another; an concomitant.

ASSOCIATE

a-so'-shi-at: Only in Isaiah 8:9 the King James Version, where the Hebrew ro`u, is variously interpreted, according to differences of opinion as to the verb whence it comes. The Revised Version (British and American) "make an uproar"; the Revised Version, margin "break"; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) "Congregamini"; Septuagint gnote ("know ye"); Luther: seid boese ("be wicked").

4874. sunanamignumi -- to mix up together, hence to associate with
... to mix up together, hence to associate with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
sunanamignumi Phonetic Spelling: (soon-an-am-ig'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4874.htm - 7k

4798. sugchraomai -- to use together with, fig. to associate with
... to associate with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugchraomai Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-khrah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I have dealings with Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4798.htm - 6k

4345. proskleroo -- to allot to
... proskleroo Phonetic Spelling: (pros-klay-ro'-o) Short Definition: I assign by lot,
allot Definition: I assign by lot, allot, associate with, follow as a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4345.htm - 6k

3656. homileo -- to consort with, hence to converse with
... consort with, hence to converse with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: homileo
Phonetic Spelling: (hom-il-eh'-o) Short Definition: I associate with, talk ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3656.htm - 6k

5384. philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
... Adjective) Transliteration: philos Phonetic Spelling: (fee'-los) Short Definition:
friendly, a friend Definition: friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5384.htm - 7k

3353. metochos -- sharing in
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: metochos Phonetic Spelling: (met'-okh-os)
Short Definition: a sharer, partner Definition: a sharer, partner, associate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3353.htm - 7k

4905. sunerchomai -- to come together, by ext. to accompany
... From sun and erchomai; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or
(specially), cohabit (conjugally) -- accompany, assemble (with), come (together ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4905.htm - 8k

2853. kollao -- to glue, unite
... Word Origin from kolla (glue) Definition to glue, unite NASB Word Usage associate
(3), cling (1), clings (1), hired (1), join (1), joined (2), joins (2), piled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2853.htm - 7k

4904. sunergos -- a fellow worker
... Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sunergos Phonetic Spelling: (soon-er-gos') Short
Definition: a fellow worker Definition: a fellow worker, associate, helper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4904.htm - 7k

3880. paralambano -- to receive from
... From para and lambano; to receive near, ie Associate with oneself (in any familiar
or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3880.htm - 8k

5997. amith -- an associate, fellow, relation
... 5996, 5997. amith. 5998 . an associate, fellow, relation. Transliteration:
amith Phonetic Spelling: (aw-meeth') Short Definition: neighbor. ...
/hebrew/5997.htm - 6k

7462b. raah -- probably to associate with
... 7462a, 7462b. raah. 7462c . probably to associate with. Transliteration:
raah Short Definition: companion. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/7462b.htm - 5k

2270. chaber -- united, associate, companion
... 2269, 2270. chaber. 2271 . united, associate, companion. Transliteration: chaber
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bare') Short Definition: companions. ...
/hebrew/2270.htm - 6k

3674. kenath -- associate, colleague
... 3673, 3674. kenath. 3675 . associate, colleague. Transliteration: kenath
Phonetic Spelling: (ken-awth') Short Definition: colleagues. ...
/hebrew/3674.htm - 6k

2271. chabbar -- associate, partner (in a trade)
... 2270, 2271. chabbar. 2272 . associate, partner (in a trade). Transliteration:
chabbar Phonetic Spelling: (khab-bawr') Short Definition: traders. ...
/hebrew/2271.htm - 6k

3675. kenath -- an associate
... 3674, 3675. kenath. 3676 . an associate. Transliteration: kenath Phonetic
Spelling: (ken-awth') Short Definition: colleagues. Word ...
/hebrew/3675.htm - 6k

6148. arab -- to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
... arab. 6149 . to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange. Transliteration: arab
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rab') Short Definition: associate. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6148.htm - 6k

6004. amam -- to darken, dim
... become dim, hide. A primitive root; to associate; by implication, to overshadow
(by huddling together) -- become dim, hide. 6003, 6004. amam. 6005 . ...
/hebrew/6004.htm - 6k

7468. reuth -- fellow (woman)
... another, mate, neighbor. From ra'ah in the sense of rea'; a female associate; generally
an additional one -- + another, mate, neighbour. see HEBREW ra'ah. ...
/hebrew/7468.htm - 6k

2506. cheleq -- portion, tract, territory
... Word Origin from chalaq Definition portion, tract, territory NASB Word Usage associate
(1), catch (1), divisions (2), equal portions (1), farm land (1 ...
/hebrew/2506.htm - 6k

With whom we are to Associate.
... The Instructor. Book III. Chapter IV."With Whom We are to Associate. But
really I have unwittingly deviated in spirit from the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... Section IV. That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such
An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Whether we Ought to Love Sinners Out of Charity?
... Therefore sinners should not be loved out of charity. Objection 5: Further, it is
proper to friends to associate together, according to Ethic. viii. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to love.htm

Ceremonies of Baptism and Chrism.
... After the renunciation of Satan the Candidate immediately turned to the East and
said, "And I associate myself (suntassomai ) with Christ." Cyril does not give ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter iv ceremonies of baptism and.htm

That the Righteous Shall ever Abide with Christ Our Lord we have ...
... says, "It is sown as an animal body; it will rise a spiritual body." For if it is
true, as it certainly is true, that God will vouchsafe to associate every one ...
/.../46 that the righteous shall.htm

When, Therefore, it is Said that the Tradition against Female ...
... It is bad enough that men can only associate on paper who could once associate in
the street; it is bad enough that men have made a vote very much of a fiction ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 24 when therefore it.htm

1 Thessalonians i. 3-Jan
... ii.22.); and again, "I have no man like-minded who will care truly for your
state" (ver.20.); but here he does associate him with himself? ...
/.../homily i 1 thessalonians i.htm

Justin Communicates with Christians who Observe the Law not a Few ...
... like themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or to observe any other such ceremonies,
then I hold that we ought to join ourselves to such, and associate with them ...
/.../chapter xlvii justin communicates with christians.htm

INDEX TO VOL. I.
... Assembly of Westminster, [70]727. See Westminster Assembly. Associate Church,
[71]812. Associate Reformed Church, [72]811. Athanasian Creed, [73]34. ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/index to vol i.htm

The Westminster Standards in America.
... 'Among the emigrants into this country in the last century were many who
had been connected with the Associate Church of Scotland. ...
/.../ 98 the westminster standards.htm

Associate (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or confederate; as,
to associate others with us in business, or in an enterprise. ...
/a/associate.htm - 14k

Partner (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who has a part in anything with an other;
a partaker; an associate; a sharer. ... 4. (vt) To associate, to join. ...
/p/partner.htm - 9k

Consort (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An associate; a companion; a partner;
especially, a wife or husband of a reigning monarch. 2. (n ...
/c/consort.htm - 8k

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... bar'-na-bas (Barnabas, "son of exhortation," or possibly "son of Nebo"): This name
was applied to the associate of Paul, who was originally called Joses or ...
/b/barnabas.htm - 25k

Join (70 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To bring together, literally or figuratively; to place in contact; to connect;
to couple; to unite; to combine; to associate; to add; to append. ...
/j/join.htm - 28k

Friend (139 Occurrences)
... for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his
society aud welfare; a well-wisher; an intimate associate; sometimes, an ...
/f/friend.htm - 40k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A companion; a comrade; an associate;
a partner; a sharer. 2. (n.) A man without good breeding ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Mix (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To unite with in company; to join; to associate. ... 5. (vi) To associate;
to mingle. Multi-Version Concordance Mix (10 Occurrences). ...
/m/mix.htm - 9k

Company (287 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To accompany or go with; to be companion to. 12. (vi) To associate. 13.
(vi) To be a gay companion. 14. (vi) To have sexual commerce. Int. ...
/c/company.htm - 40k

Associated (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Associate. 2. (a.) Joined as a
companion; brought into association; accompanying; combined. ...
/a/associated.htm - 9k

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