The term "dearer" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of something or someone being "dearer" or more precious is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This idea often relates to the value and worth of spiritual truths, relationships, and divine principles over material possessions or worldly concerns.

Spiritual Riches Over Material Wealth

The Bible frequently emphasizes the superiority of spiritual wealth over material riches. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus teaches, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This passage highlights the idea that heavenly treasures are dearer than earthly ones, urging believers to prioritize eternal values.

Wisdom and Understanding

Proverbs often extols the value of wisdom and understanding as being dearer than silver and gold. Proverbs 3:13-15 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her." Here, wisdom is portrayed as a treasure of incomparable worth, dearer than the most valuable earthly possessions.

The Love of Christ

The love of Christ is depicted as the ultimate treasure, dearer than any human relationship or possession. In Romans 8:38-39 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This passage underscores the immeasurable value of Christ's love, which is dearer than any other force or entity.

The Kingdom of Heaven

The parables of Jesus often illustrate the kingdom of heaven as a treasure of surpassing worth. In Matthew 13:44-46 , Jesus compares the kingdom to a hidden treasure and a pearl of great price: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy, he went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it." These parables convey the message that the kingdom of heaven is dearer than all worldly possessions, worthy of any sacrifice.

Relationships in Christ

The New Testament emphasizes the value of relationships within the body of Christ. In Philippians 1:8 , Paul expresses his deep affection for fellow believers: "God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." The bonds formed through shared faith and love in Christ are portrayed as dearer than ordinary human connections, reflecting the unity and fellowship that believers are called to cherish.

Conclusion

While the specific term "dearer" may not appear in the biblical text, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the incomparable worth of spiritual truths, divine love, and the kingdom of heaven. These elements are presented as treasures of the highest value, urging believers to prioritize them above all else.

How Impious, Indeed, is the Assertion of this Man...
... For it follows from his maintaining such a position, that if these animals be more
beloved by God than human beings, it is manifest that they are dearer to God ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xcvii how impious indeed.htm

Charity.
... This Charity"this love"is God's most precious treasure; it is dearer to His heart
than all the vast domains of His universe"dearer than all the glorious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iii charity.htm

Letter to Her Cousin, Jeanne Guerin (Madame La Neele) August, 1895 ...
... [264] Now, for love of Jesus, you have not hesitated to part with a sister dearer
to you than words can say, and therefore He is bound to keep His promise. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/letter to her cousin jeanne.htm

In the Court of Babylon
... But Daniel did not hesitate. The approval of God was dearer to him than the favor
of the most powerful earthly potentate"dearer than life itself. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 39 in the court.htm

A Word for the Persecuted
... To such the earthly father is dearer than the Father who is in heaven; the brother
after the flesh is dearer than that Brother who is born for adversity, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a word for the persecuted.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... The lost sheep is dearer than ninety-nine that were not lost. The prodigal
son, the piece of money that was lost and found again ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

Now, as to the Question which You Raise, when it was that I Began ...
... Perhaps both Paul and Jerome. c18. I can tell you of something which may
make him still dearer to us, though more odious to you. ...
/.../17 now as to the.htm

The Best Beloved
... we might love our Lord for his own sake, love him because he is so supremely beautiful
that a glimpse of him has won our hearts, and made him dearer to our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the best beloved.htm

Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
... No One higher than man who cares for my soul, and for the souls of those who are
dearer to me than my own soul? No friend? No helper? No deliverer? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iv out of the deep.htm

Jacob and Esau.
... Esau was the dearer to his father; but Rebekah loved Jacob more, and she wished
her favorite son to have the birthright, or larger portion of the property ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/jacob and esau.htm

Dearer (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dearer (4 Occurrences). John 12:43 For the praise
of men was dearer to them than the approval of God. (BBE). ...
/d/dearer.htm - 7k

Dear (120 Occurrences)
... Philemon 1:16 no longer as a slave, but as something better than a slave--a brother
peculiarly dear to me, and even dearer to you, both as a servant and as a ...
/d/dear.htm - 37k

Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... his assurance; so tender that his mother's death was the poignant sorrow of years;
so patient and gentle that peace with his neighbours was dearer than even ...
/i/isaac.htm - 60k

Fathered (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 11:21 Maacah, the daughter of Absalom, was dearer to Rehoboam than
all his wives and his servant-wives: (for he had eighteen wives and sixty ...
/f/fathered.htm - 7k

Dearest (2 Occurrences)

/d/dearest.htm - 7k

Peculiarly (1 Occurrence)
... Philemon 1:16 no longer as a slave, but as something better than a slave--a brother
peculiarly dear to me, and even dearer to you, both as a servant and as a ...
/p/peculiarly.htm - 6k

Approval (75 Occurrences)
... For God the Father has sealed him." (See NIV). John 12:43 For the praise of
men was dearer to them than the approval of God. (BBE NAS). ...
/a/approval.htm - 28k

Servant-wives (4 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Chronicles 11:21 Maacah, the daughter of Absalom, was dearer to Rehoboam
than all his wives and his servant-wives: (for he had eighteen wives and sixty ...
/s/servant-wives.htm - 7k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Nineveh? These were dearer to the God of heaven than Jonah's protecting
vine could possibly be to him. II. The Aim of the Book. ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Summary of the Book of Philemon - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Who was Onesimus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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