Definition and Etymology:
The term "cherishing" generally refers to holding something dear, nurturing, or caring for it with great affection and tenderness. In the biblical context, cherishing often involves a deep, abiding love and commitment, whether it be towards God, others, or oneself. The word is derived from the Old French "cherir," which means to hold dear, and ultimately from the Latin "carus," meaning dear or beloved.

Biblical Context:
In the Bible, cherishing is closely associated with love, care, and the nurturing of relationships. It is an expression of the deep, covenantal love that God has for His people and that believers are called to emulate in their relationships with others.

Scriptural References:

1. Marriage and Family:
Ephesians 5:28-29 provides a clear example of cherishing within the context of marriage: "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church." Here, the apostle Paul instructs husbands to cherish their wives, drawing a parallel to how Christ cherishes the church. This passage highlights the importance of nurturing and valuing one's spouse as an integral part of a godly marriage.

2. God's Love for His People:
The concept of cherishing is also evident in God's relationship with His people. In Isaiah 43:4 , God expresses His deep affection for Israel: "Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life." This verse underscores the cherished status of God's people, emphasizing their value and the lengths to which God will go to protect and preserve them.

3. Parental Care:
Cherishing is also reflected in the care and nurturing of children. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse implies a cherishing attitude in the upbringing of children, where parents are called to nurture and guide their children with love and wisdom.

4. Self-Care and Stewardship:
The Bible also speaks to the importance of cherishing oneself as a creation of God. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage encourages believers to cherish their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of self-care and stewardship.

Theological Implications:
Cherishing, as depicted in the Bible, is an expression of divine love and care that believers are called to emulate. It involves a commitment to nurturing and valuing relationships, whether with God, family, or oneself. This concept is rooted in the understanding that all people are made in the image of God and are therefore worthy of love and respect.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, cherishing can be manifested through acts of kindness, patience, and sacrifice. It involves prioritizing relationships, investing time and effort into nurturing them, and recognizing the inherent value of others. Believers are encouraged to reflect God's cherishing nature in their daily interactions, fostering a community of love and support.5387. philostorgos -- tenderly loving
... From philos and storge (cherishing one's kindred, especially parents or children);
fond of natural relatives, ie Fraternal towards fellow Christian -- kindly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5387.htm - 7k

2324. therapon -- an attendant
... servant. Apparently a participle from an otherwise obsolete derivative of the base
of theros; a menial attendant (as if cherishing) -- servant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2324.htm - 7k

7356. racham -- compassion
... From racham; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the
fetus); by implication, a maiden -- bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love ...
/hebrew/7356.htm - 6k

The Teaching of the Boisterous and Untaught, Desiring to Love: and ...
... and alway keep thy thoughts far from them, because, though a woman be good, yet
the fiend by pricking and moving, and also by their cherishing beauty, thy will ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxix the teaching of.htm

The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr.
... various arts of the attacking enemy, use the remedy of the celestial medicine according
to the nature of the wound, either for cutting or for cherishing them. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/the life and passion of.htm

Letter iii. Aims in Life.
... Cherishing as the happiest ideal of life the possible future home of your own, you
should still remember that it may never be yours, and should make such other ...
/.../letter iii aims in life.htm

Rest.
... For instance, it says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear
me." Now, I need not pray as long as I am cherishing some known sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/rest.htm

Of Repentance, in the Case of Such as have Lapsed after Baptism.
... [8482] Men in general, after escaping shipwreck, thenceforward declare divorce with
ship and sea; and by cherishing the memory of the danger, honour the ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter vii of repentance in the.htm

The Exile.
... yielded to his spell. The younger Michal had been cherishing his image
in secret, and now tells her love. Her father returns to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense ...
... to "become all things to all, in order to gain all;" [676] "travailing in birth
with them until Christ should be formed in them;" [677] and "cherishing, as it ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xiv even if the permission.htm

1 John iv. 17-21
... If then there be in us that spiritual charity of which the apostle saith, "I became
small in the midst of you even as a nurse cherishing her young ones;" [2439 ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily ix 1 john iv.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... Men here upon earth are continually thinking sinful thoughts and cherishing
sinful feelings, and yet they are not continually in hell. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

True Confession of Christ.
... brethren, let us confess Him by [3879] our works, by loving one another, by not
committing adultery, or speaking evil of one another, or cherishing envy; but ...
/.../unknown/the second epistle of clement/chap iv true confession of christ.htm

Cherishing (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cherishing (3 Occurrences). Matthew 9:4 Knowing their
thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? (WEY) ...
/c/cherishing.htm - 7k

Cherith (2 Occurrences)

/c/cherith.htm - 8k

Imitate (13 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, cherishing a hope like this, we
speak without reserve, and we do not imitate Moses, (WEY). ...
/i/imitate.htm - 10k

Reserve (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, cherishing a hope like this, we speak without
reserve, and we do not imitate Moses, (WEY). Hebrews ...
/r/reserve.htm - 11k

Entertainment (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of receiving as host, or of amusing, admitting, or cherishing;
hospitable reception; also, reception or treatment, in general. ...
/e/entertainment.htm - 7k

Mote (6 Occurrences)
... Used by Jesus in Matthew 7:3;; Luke 6:41 in contrast with "beam," to rebuke
officiousness in correcting small faults of others, while cherishing greater ones ...
/m/mote.htm - 9k

Cherisheth (2 Occurrences)

/c/cherisheth.htm - 6k

Chief (696 Occurrences)
... is not something merely to be given to men, but must be sought after and won through
taking up a right attitude toward God and our fellows, cherishing the Love ...
/c/chief.htm - 45k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... in the strict sense signifies the first spiritual movements and impulses in man,
the beginning of his thinking Divine thoughts, cherishing holy desires and ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... in the strict sense signifies the first spiritual movements and impulses in man,
the beginning of his thinking Divine thoughts, cherishing holy desires and ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

What is Christian domestic discipline (CDD)? | GotQuestions.org

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