Attaining
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In the context of the Bible, "attaining" often refers to the pursuit and achievement of spiritual goals, maturity, and the fulfillment of God's purposes in one's life. The concept is deeply rooted in the Christian journey of faith, where believers are encouraged to grow in their relationship with God and to strive towards spiritual maturity and holiness.

Spiritual Maturity and Growth

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the idea of attaining spiritual maturity in his epistles. In Philippians 3:12-14 , Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul emphasizes the ongoing process of spiritual growth and the pursuit of the ultimate goal of Christlikeness.

The Fullness of Christ

Ephesians 4:13 speaks to the collective goal of attaining unity and maturity in the body of Christ: "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This passage highlights the importance of growing in faith and knowledge, aiming to reflect the character and fullness of Christ in the life of the believer.

Wisdom and Understanding

Attaining wisdom and understanding is another significant theme in Scripture. Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The pursuit of wisdom is portrayed as a noble and essential endeavor, leading to a life that honors God and aligns with His will.

Righteousness and Holiness

The Bible also speaks of attaining righteousness and holiness as key aspects of the Christian life. In Romans 9:30-31 , Paul contrasts the attainment of righteousness by faith with the failure to attain it through the law: "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it." This passage underscores the importance of faith in attaining righteousness, as opposed to relying solely on adherence to the law.

Eternal Life

Attaining eternal life is the ultimate goal for believers, as promised through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 17:3 , Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ: "Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." The attainment of eternal life is thus linked to a personal and transformative relationship with God through Christ.

Perseverance in Faith

The journey of attaining spiritual goals requires perseverance and steadfastness. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This metaphor of a race illustrates the need for continuous effort and focus on Christ to attain the spiritual rewards promised by God.

In summary, the concept of attaining in the Bible encompasses the pursuit of spiritual maturity, wisdom, righteousness, and ultimately, eternal life. It involves a dynamic and ongoing process of growth, faith, and perseverance, with the ultimate aim of fulfilling God's purposes and reflecting the character of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Attain.
Library

Attaining to the Resurrection
... LXVI ATTAINING TO THE RESURRECTION. Philippians iii.11. (MONDAY AFTER EASTER).
This is certainly a very extraordinary saying of St. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lxvi attaining to the resurrection.htm

Whether the Attaining of Glory is an Effect of this Sacrament?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the attaining
of glory is an effect of this sacrament? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the attaining of glory.htm

Of the Most Excellent Exercise we Can Make in the Interior and ...
... OF THE MOST EXCELLENT EXERCISE WE CAN MAKE IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR TROUBLES
OF THIS LIFE, AFTER ATTAINING THE INDIFFERENCE AND DEATH OF THE WILL. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv of the most.htm

Whether Charity is the Most Excellent of the virtues?
... acts, depends on their being regulated by the due rule, it must needs be that human
virtue, which is a principle of good acts, consists in attaining the rule ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is the most.htm

As a Prisoner, I Hope to See You.
... more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if
indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter i as a prisoner i.htm

Do not Save Me from Martyrdom.
... For neither shall I ever have such [another] opportunity of attaining to God; nor
will ye, if ye shall now be silent, ever be entitled to [832] the honour of a ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter ii do not save me.htm

But if any Man Supposes that the Reason Why it is Right for A...
... the doctrine which bringeth salvation consisteth partly in things to be believed,
partly in things to be understood; and there is no attaining unto those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 11 but if any.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... Tonight my object is to mention some additional causes which prevent the great
body of Christians from attaining perfect sanctification. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even 2.htm

Second Tractate. On virtue.
... Evil, we must escape hence. But what is this escape? "In attaining Likeness
to God," we read. And this is explained as "becoming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/second tractate on virtue.htm

Whether Hope is a virtue
... On the first point: in regard to the passions, the mean of virtue consists in attaining
right reason. It is indeed in this that the essence of virtue consists. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether hope is.htm

Thesaurus
Attaining (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Attain. Multi-Version
Concordance Attaining (3 Occurrences). Ephesians 4:13 until ...
/a/attaining.htm - 7k

Key (8 Occurrences)
... also Matthew 16:19; 18:18). The "key of knowledge" (Luke 11:52; Comp. Matthew
23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. ...
/k/key.htm - 14k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... They would not bear the weight of the bird, but the habit of lifting and beating
them proved that this assisted in attaining speed in running (compare Xen. ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Fail (130 Occurrences)
... insolvent. 10. (vt) To be wanting to ; to be insufficient for; to disappoint;
to desert. 11. (vt) To miss of attaining; to lose. 12. (vi ...
/f/fail.htm - 43k

Frustrate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring to nothing; to prevent from attaining a purpose; to disappoint;
to defeat; to baffle; as, to frustrate a plan, design, or attempt; to ...
/f/frustrate.htm - 10k

To (219938 Occurrences)
... 1. (prep.) The preposition to primarily indicates approach and arrival, motion made
in the direction of a place or thing and attaining it, access; and also ...
/t/to.htm - 9k

Rising (162 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Rise. 2. (a.) Attaining a higher place; taking, or moving in, an upward
direction; appearing above the horizon; ascending; as, the rising moon. ...
/r/rising.htm - 36k

Chameleon (1 Occurrence)
... The desert monitor, Varanus griseus, one of the largest of lizards, sometime attaining
the length of 4 ft., is common in Palestine and may be the animal here ...
/c/chameleon.htm - 11k

Collapse (9 Occurrences)
... undergo a collapse; as, Maximilian's government collapsed soon after the French
army left Mexico; many financial projects collapse after attaining some success ...
/c/collapse.htm - 9k

Cumber (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To rest upon as a troublesome or useless weight or load; to be burdensome
or oppressive to; to hinder or embarrass in attaining an object, to obstruct ...
/c/cumber.htm - 7k

Resources
Is sinless perfection possible in this life? | GotQuestions.org

What is an evangelist? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian view of asceticism / monasticism? | GotQuestions.org

Attaining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Attaining (3 Occurrences)

Ephesians 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
(See NIV)

Colossians 1:11
strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
(See NAS)

Colossians 2:2
in order that their hearts may be cheered, they themselves being welded together in love and enjoying all the advantages of a reasonable certainty, till at last they attain the full knowledge of God's truth, which is Christ Himself.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Attaining

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Attaineth
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