Contemplating, in a biblical context, refers to the act of thoughtful reflection, meditation, and deep consideration of God's Word, His nature, and His works. This practice is deeply rooted in Scripture and is essential for spiritual growth and understanding.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently encourages believers to engage in contemplation as a means of drawing closer to God and gaining wisdom. In Psalm 1:2, the psalmist describes the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This verse highlights the importance of continuous reflection on God's Word as a source of delight and spiritual nourishment.

Similarly, Joshua 1:8 instructs, "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." Here, contemplation is linked to obedience and success, emphasizing its practical benefits in the life of a believer.

Contemplation in the Psalms

The Psalms are replete with examples of contemplation. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a profound meditation on the Word of God. In verse 15, the psalmist declares, "I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways." This commitment to contemplation is a recurring theme throughout the psalm, underscoring the transformative power of meditating on God's statutes.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, contemplation is also encouraged as a means of spiritual renewal and transformation. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This renewal of the mind involves a deep, contemplative engagement with God's truth, leading to discernment and spiritual maturity.

Philippians 4:8 further instructs believers on the focus of their contemplation: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This passage encourages believers to direct their thoughts toward virtuous and godly matters, fostering a mindset that aligns with God's character.

Contemplation and Prayer

Contemplation is closely linked with prayer, as both involve a deep communion with God. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus teaches, "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This instruction highlights the intimate and personal nature of contemplative prayer, where believers seek God's presence in solitude and reflection.

Practical Application

For believers today, contemplation remains a vital spiritual discipline. It involves setting aside time to meditate on Scripture, reflect on God's attributes, and seek His guidance through prayer. By doing so, believers can experience a deeper relationship with God, greater spiritual insight, and a more profound understanding of His will for their lives.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Contemplate.7920. sekal -- to consider, contemplate
... 7919b, 7920. sekal. 7921 . to consider, contemplate. Transliteration: sekal
Phonetic Spelling: (sek-al') Short Definition: contemplating. ...
/hebrew/7920.htm - 6k

Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to ...
... CHAPTER 12. NECESSITY OF CONTEMPLATING THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF GOD, IN ORDER TO BE
SERIOUSLY CONVINCED OF THE DOCTRINE OF GRATUITOUS JUSTIFICATION. ...
/.../chapter 12 necessity of contemplating.htm

There is a Kind of Trinity in the Holding, Contemplating, and ...
... Chapter 2."There is a Kind of Trinity in the Holding, Contemplating, and Loving
of Faith Temporal, But One that Does Not Yet Attain to Being Properly an ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 there is a kind.htm

Whether Happiness Consists in the Knowledge of Separate Substances ...
... But we can take part in the feasts of the angels by contemplating them. Therefore
it seems that man's final happiness consists in contemplating the angels. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether happiness consists in the 2.htm

Letter ix. To Titus, Hierarch, Asking by Letter what is the House ...
... For, thus contemplating them, we should reverence a fountain of Life flowing into
Itself"viewing It even standing by Itself, and as a kind of single power ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter ix to titus hierarch.htm

The Influence of Dionysius in Religious History
... For contemplating the ineffable cause of all things, the Theologians speak
of the Unity. Then again, contemplating this Divine Unity ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/the influence of dionysius in.htm

The Life of the Anachoretes and Coenobites Set against the ...
... loving them? It must be something transcending human things in contemplating
which man can live without seeing his fellow-man. Hear ...
/.../chapter 31 name life of.htm

Whether There is any Sorrow Contrary to the Pleasure of ...
... In one way, so that contemplation is the cause, but not the object of pleasure:
and then pleasure is taken not in contemplating but in the thing contemplated. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is any sorrow.htm

That the Son is Eternal and Increate. These Attributes, Being the ...
... the Son it has come to be, and in Him all things consist [1889] ,' it must follow
that he who contemplates the creation rightly, is contemplating also the Word ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter iv that the son is.htm

Concerning Things Performed in the Muron, and Concerning Things ...
... But there is another perfecting Service of the same rank, which our Leaders name
"Initiation of Muron," by contemplating whose parts in due order, in ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput iv i concerning things.htm

Continual Union in Spirit with God the End of Man's Creation...
... which consists in a returning to the divine principle from whom he flowed, and an
inconceivably happy union with Him, both in mind, contemplating eternally His ...
/.../chapter i continual union in.htm

Contemplating (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Contemplate. Multi-Version
Concordance Contemplating (4 Occurrences). Matthew 1:20 ...
/c/contemplating.htm - 8k

Contemplation (11 Occurrences)

/c/contemplation.htm - 10k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to ...
/h/ - 36k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to ...
/h/home.htm - 36k

Erection (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 17:23 for passing through and contemplating your objects of worship, I found
also an erection on which had been inscribed: To God -- unknown; whom ...
/e/erection.htm - 7k

Bring (1372 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to ...
/b/bring.htm - 40k

Contemplated (3 Occurrences)

/c/contemplated.htm - 7k

Considered (80 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:20 But while he was contemplating this step, an angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to ...
/c/considered.htm - 29k

Aha (11 Occurrences)
... Elsewhere the word is translated "alas!" (Joel 1:15). (2) 'ach, occurs once (Ezekiel
21:15), expressing grief in contemplating Israel's destruction. ...
/a/aha.htm - 12k

Ah (43 Occurrences)
... Elsewhere the word is translated "alas!" (Joel 1:15). (2) 'ach, occurs once (Ezekiel
21:15), expressing grief in contemplating Israel's destruction. ...
/a/ah.htm - 22k

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