Cringing, in a biblical context, refers to a posture or attitude of servile fear, submission, or excessive humility, often in the presence of authority or power. This behavior is generally characterized by a lack of confidence and an overwhelming sense of inferiority. The Bible addresses the concept of cringing in various passages, highlighting both its negative connotations and the appropriate posture of humility before God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, cringing is often associated with fear and subservience to human authority. For example, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks against the people of Israel who cringe before their oppressors. Isaiah 51:23 states, "I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, 'Bow down, that we may walk over you,' so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed." This imagery illustrates the degrading nature of cringing before those who wield power unjustly.

The Psalms also reflect on the behavior of cringing in the face of adversaries. Psalm 66:3 declares, "Say to God, 'How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.'" Here, the enemies of God are depicted as cringing, not out of reverence, but out of fear of His mighty power.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of cringing is contrasted with the boldness and confidence that believers are encouraged to have in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often exhorts Christians to stand firm in their faith and not to succumb to fear or intimidation. In 2 Timothy 1:7 , Paul writes, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." This verse underscores the idea that cringing is not the posture of a believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, cringing is seen as an inappropriate response to God, who desires a relationship based on love, trust, and reverence rather than fear and subservience. While humility is a virtue highly esteemed in Scripture, it is distinct from cringing, which implies a lack of faith and confidence in God's promises. James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This humility is not about cringing but about recognizing one's dependence on God and His grace.

Practical Application

In practical terms, believers are encouraged to approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty, while also embracing the confidence that comes from being His children. Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This confidence is rooted in the assurance of God's love and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

In relationships with others, Christians are called to exhibit humility without cringing, treating others with respect and dignity while standing firm in their identity in Christ. The balance between humility and confidence is a hallmark of mature Christian character, reflecting the nature of Christ Himself, who was both humble and authoritative.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cringe.4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... From ptosso (to crouch); akin to ptoeo and the alternate of pipto); a beggar (as
cringing), ie Pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k1523. gil -- to rejoice
... guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly, to spin round (under the influence of any
violent emotion), ie Usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear -- be glad, joy ...
/hebrew/1523.htm - 6k

Concerning Lordships and Powers and Authorities, and Concerning ...
... submitting itself in any way whatever to one of the tyrannical dissimilarities,
as a cruel Lordship; superior to every kind of cringing slavery, indomitable to ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput viii concerning lordships and.htm

The Heavenly Race
... be. It is the sign of a fawning, cringing spirit, when people are always
seeking to do that which renders them respectable. The ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the heavenly race.htm

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
... sees for their greed or ambition; by the great mass of the clergy, who would not
be parted from their youthful, agapet??, or give up their cringing to the ...
/.../chapter xxxvii the world the.htm

'The Rulers Take Counsel Together'
... which turned the very fountains of justice and guardians of a nation into lying
plotters against innocence, and sent these Jewish rulers cringing before Pilate ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rulers take counsel together.htm

Psalm 50:5. To a New Tune. The Last Judgment.
... When did I thirst, or drink thy bullocks blood? Can I be flatter'd with thy
cringing bows, Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 5 0 to a new.htm

Psalm 50:6. To the Old Proper Tune. The Last Judgment.
... and the saints salvation. 10 "Can I be flatter'd with thy cringing bows,
"Thy solemn chatterings and fantastic vows? "Are my eyes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 6 0 to the old.htm

But the Devil, who Hates and Envies what is Good...
... And cringing to him, as it were, he plied him with thoughts no longer, for guileful
as he was, he had been worsted, but at last spoke in human voice and said ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 5.htm

Psalm 50 the Lord, the Sovereign, Sends his Summons Forth,
... When did I thirst, or drink thy bullocks' blood? Can I be flattered with thy
cringing bows,. Thy solemn chatt'rings and fantastic vows? ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 50 the lord the.htm

Psalm 50 the Last Judgment.
... Gives sinners vengeance, and the saints salvation. "Can I be flatter'd with
thy cringing bows,. Thy solemn chatt'rings and fantastic vows? ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 50 the last judgment.htm

The one Escape.
... But it is plain from his words, that it was just that very sort of trouble, in which
the world is most ready to excuse a man for lying, cringing, plotting, and ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xiii the one escape.htm

Cringing (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cringing (5 Occurrences). ... And thine enemies shall come
cringing to thee; And thou shalt tread upon their high places. (DBY). ...
/c/cringing.htm - 7k

Fawn (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To bring forth a fawn. 6. (vi) To court favor by low cringing, frisking,
etc., as a dog; to flatter meanly; -- often followed by on or upon. ...
/f/fawn.htm - 7k

Cringe (5 Occurrences)

/c/cringe.htm - 8k

Cripple (2 Occurrences)

/c/cripple.htm - 7k

Shimei (43 Occurrences)
... After the defeat of Absalom he "came cringing to the king, humbly suing for pardon,
bringing with him a thousand of his Benjamite tribesmen, and representing ...
/s/shimei.htm - 30k

Servile (13 Occurrences)
... or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding
from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as ...
/s/servile.htm - 10k

Begging (18 Occurrences)
... 18:35 John 9:8 the Revised Version (British and American)) the root idea is that
of "asking," while ptochos (Luke 16:20, 22) suggests the cringing or crouching ...
/b/begging.htm - 18k

Beggar (5 Occurrences)
... 18:35 John 9:8 the Revised Version (British and American)) the root idea is that
of "asking," while ptochos (Luke 16:20, 22) suggests the cringing or crouching ...
/b/beggar.htm - 15k

Beg (77 Occurrences)
... 18:35 John 9:8 the Revised Version (British and American)) the root idea is that
of "asking," while ptochos (Luke 16:20, 22) suggests the cringing or crouching ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... proportion. This was superior to a merely nominal republic always cringing
under fear of military leaders. (7) Imperial Interests. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

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