Definition and Context
Essaying, in a biblical context, refers to the act of attempting or endeavoring to accomplish a task or understand a concept. It involves a deliberate effort to explore, test, or prove something, often in the pursuit of spiritual or moral truth. The term is not explicitly used in the Bible, but the concept is evident in various narratives and teachings where individuals or groups undertake significant efforts to fulfill God's will or seek His wisdom.

Biblical Examples

1. Gideon's Test of Faith
In the Book of Judges, Gideon essays to confirm God's will through a series of tests. He places a fleece on the threshing floor, asking God to make the fleece wet with dew while the ground remains dry, and then the reverse (Judges 6:36-40). This act of essaying demonstrates Gideon's desire for assurance and understanding of God's guidance.

2. The Disciples' Mission
The disciples of Jesus essayed to spread the Gospel, often facing challenges and opposition. In the Book of Acts, the apostles are seen essaying to preach and establish the early church despite persecution. Acts 5:29 records Peter and the apostles saying, "We must obey God rather than men," highlighting their commitment to essaying God's mission.

3. Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul is a prominent figure who essayed to spread Christianity across the Roman Empire. His missionary journeys, as detailed in the Book of Acts, involved significant effort and perseverance. Paul essays to reach both Jews and Gentiles, adapting his approach to effectively communicate the Gospel (Acts 17:2-3).

Theological Implications

Essaying in the Bible often involves a combination of faith, obedience, and perseverance. It reflects a willingness to step out in faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance. The act of essaying is not merely about human effort but is deeply rooted in reliance on divine strength and wisdom. As seen in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," believers are encouraged to essay in their spiritual walk, relying on Christ's empowerment.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

1. Faith and Obedience
Essaying requires faith in God's promises and obedience to His commands. It is an active demonstration of trust in God's plan, even when the outcome is uncertain. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the importance of faith: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

2. Perseverance and Endurance
The biblical narrative encourages believers to essay with perseverance, enduring trials and challenges. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

3. Seeking Wisdom
Essaying often involves seeking divine wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-5 advises, "If you indeed call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."

Conclusion
While the term "essaying" is not directly found in the Bible, the concept is integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating the dynamic relationship between human effort and divine guidance. Through faith, obedience, and perseverance, believers are called to essay in their spiritual journey, seeking to fulfill God's purposes in their lives.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Essay.

And Further, Analogy, Whereby the Agreement of Both Testaments is ...
... For you know that, essaying to bring the person of their founder Manich??us into
the number of the Apostles, they say that the Holy Spirit, Whom the Lord ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 7 and further analogy.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... of the sea. They passed through the depths as through a wilderness, which
the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned. The Lord, in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

Let us Now Return to the Order from which we were a Little Ago ...
... We may say for the present: In essaying to approach the divine, the Supreme Deity
[3922] suffices us,"the Deity, I say, who is supreme, the Creator and Lord ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/2 let us now return.htm

The Emperor Thankfully Ascribes his victories and all Other ...
... But be it far from me now to recall the memory of these events, while holding converse
with thee, Piety, and essaying with earnest endeavor to address thee ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xxii the emperor thankfully ascribes.htm

Of the Miracles which God Has Condescended to Adhibit through the ...
... But, quickly repenting, and essaying to overtake the departing Hebrews, who had
crossed the sea on dry ground, they were covered and overwhelmed in the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of the miracles which.htm

Of the Fall of the First Man, in whom Nature was Created Good, and ...
... his angels), preferring to rule with a kind of pomp of empire rather than to be
another's subject, fell from the spiritual Paradise, and essaying to insinuate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of the fall of.htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord
... The tree of knowledge has been the bane of faith, ever essaying to reduce
revelation to a philosophy and to measure God by man. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/viii prayer incidents in the.htm

Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Contrast Between the ...
... they not greatly beside themselves, presumptuously intruding into what is higher
than things originate and their own nature, and essaying impossibilities [2427 ...
/.../chapter xviii introduction to proverbs viii.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... night. Thus they were safely conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians,
essaying to cross in like manner, were all drowned. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life
... That young life begins to feel its wings and try them a little. It also
moves with trembling footsteps, essaying a new walk. It ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/christs resurrection and our newness.htm

Essaying (1 Occurrence)
...Essaying (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea
as by dry land: which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned. (WBS). ...
/e/essaying.htm - 6k

Essayed (4 Occurrences)

/e/essayed.htm - 7k

Essenes

/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Essaying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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