Faring
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "faring" in the context of the Bible generally refers to the state of well-being, progress, or journeying of individuals or groups. It is often used to describe how someone is doing in terms of health, prosperity, or spiritual condition. The concept of faring well or poorly is deeply intertwined with the biblical themes of divine blessing, obedience, and the consequences of sin.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the well-being of individuals and nations is frequently linked to their relationship with God. For instance, the Israelites' prosperity in the Promised Land was contingent upon their obedience to God's commandments. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, illustrating how the Israelites would fare based on their faithfulness to God.

The account of Joseph provides a narrative example of faring well despite adverse circumstances. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually rose to a position of power in Egypt. His ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams led to the preservation of Egypt and his own family during a severe famine. Genesis 39:2 states, "The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master." Joseph's success is attributed to God's presence and favor, demonstrating the biblical principle that true prosperity comes from God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of faring well is often spiritualized, focusing on the state of one's soul and relationship with Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently speaks of spiritual well-being and growth. For example, in 3 John 1:2 , John writes, "Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." Here, the emphasis is on the prosperity of the soul, suggesting that spiritual health is paramount.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 serves as a cautionary tale about equating material wealth with true well-being. The rich man, who stored up earthly treasures, is called a fool because he neglected his spiritual state. Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). This underscores the biblical teaching that faring well in God's eyes involves being "rich toward God" rather than merely accumulating earthly possessions.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, faring well is closely associated with living in accordance with God's will. The Bible teaches that true prosperity and well-being are found in a life that honors God and seeks His kingdom. This is evident in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), where Jesus describes the blessedness of those who embody the values of the kingdom of heaven, such as humility, mercy, and righteousness.

Moreover, the concept of faring well extends to the community of believers. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, exemplifies a community that fared well through devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their communal life, marked by generosity and unity, resulted in spiritual and numerical growth, indicating that collective well-being is also a biblical concern.

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical concept of faring encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, with a strong emphasis on the latter. It is intricately linked to one's relationship with God, obedience to His commandments, and the pursuit of His kingdom. Whether in the context of individual lives or the broader community of faith, faring well is ultimately about aligning with God's purposes and experiencing His blessings.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fare.
Strong's Hebrew
733. Arach -- perhaps "traveler," an Israelite name
... name NASB Word Usage Arah (4). Arach, the name of three Israelites. From 'arach;
way faring; Arach, the name of three Israelites: Arah. see HEBREW 'arach. ...
/hebrew/733.htm - 6k

1980. halak -- to go, come, walk
... send, speedily, spread, still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-)faring man, X ...
/hebrew/1980.htm - 8k

3220. yam -- sea
... the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin;
locally, the west, or (rarely) the south -- sea (X -faring man, (-shore ...
/hebrew/3220.htm - 6k

5674. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away),
(make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be ...
/hebrew/5674.htm - 6k

Library

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... of the praising of GOD: ill dread: ill love: error: fleshly affection to thy friends
or to other that thou lovest: joy in any man's ill-faring, whether they be ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... A lion from the jungle shall smite, A wolf from the wastes undo them, The leopard
shall prowl round their towns, All faring forth shall be torn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Of Faith.
... By faith sea-faring men, trusting to the thinnest plank, exchange that most solid
element, the land, for the restless motion of the waves, committing ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture v of faith.htm

Varying Doctrine Concerning the Gods.
... 'Tis granted"yet I often see the just. Faring but ill, from ev'ry honour
thrust; While they whose own advancement is their aim,. ...
/.../theophilus to autolycus/chapter vii varying doctrine concerning the.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... the references in the discussion of the parable.] ^c 19 Now there was a certain
rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 6.htm

A Parable to the Lovers of Money.
... "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen,
faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/a parable to the lovers.htm

Ruth
... have had hired servants, too, and slaves, in his house; treated kindly enough, as
members of the family, eating and drinking at his table, and faring nearly as ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

Letter xiv . --To the Bishop of Melitene.
... of-the-way places. Well, one cannot be always faring well or always ill,
for every one's life is made up of contraries. But if by ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xiv to the bishop.htm

The Yoke of Jesus.
... Terribly has his gospel suffered in the mouths of the wise and prudent: how would
it be faring now, had its first messages been committed to persons of repute ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the yoke of jesus.htm

Jerusalem to Rome
... of the hope of the resurrection of the dead I am called in question." So great was
the dissension that arose over this matter that Paul was faring badly when ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study vi jerusalem to rome.htm

Thesaurus
Faring (2 Occurrences)
...Faring (2 Occurrences). Luke 16:19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was
clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: (ASV). ...
/f/faring.htm - 7k

Way-faring (6 Occurrences)
Way-faring. Wayfaring, Way-faring. Waylaid . Multi-Version
Concordance Way-faring (6 Occurrences). Judges 19:17 And ...
/w/way-faring.htm - 8k

Sea-faring (1 Occurrence)
Sea-faring. Seafaring, Sea-faring. Sea-force . Multi-Version
Concordance Sea-faring (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 26:17 And ...
/s/sea-faring.htm - 6k

Farewell (13 Occurrences)
... far-wel' (chairo), Fare ye, or thou, well: Originally a wish at parting for those
faring forth (traveling): (1) As a parting wish at the close of a letter it ...
/f/farewell.htm - 11k

Wayfaring (7 Occurrences)

/w/wayfaring.htm - 9k

Farm (9 Occurrences)

/f/farm.htm - 11k

Waylaid (1 Occurrence)

/w/waylaid.htm - 6k

Sea-force (3 Occurrences)
Sea-force. Sea-faring, Sea-force. Sea-grass . Multi-Version Concordance
Sea-force (3 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Sea-faring, Sea-force. Sea-grass . Reference
/s/sea-force.htm - 7k

Seafaring (2 Occurrences)

/s/seafaring.htm - 7k

Cheer (22 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:8 And for this very purpose I send him to you that you may know
how we are faring; and that he may cheer your hearts. (WEY). ...
/c/cheer.htm - 16k

Resources
Is there any truth to the Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Shamgar? | GotQuestions.org

Faring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Farewell Speech
Top of Page
Top of Page