The concept of "fulfills" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of prophecy, promise, and divine purpose. It signifies the completion or realization of what has been foretold or promised by God. This theme is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of fulfillment is often associated with God's promises to the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. For instance, the promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan is fulfilled in the conquest under Joshua. The Book of Joshua records, "So the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there" (Joshua 21:43).

Prophetic fulfillment is another significant aspect. The prophets spoke of events and conditions that would come to pass, often as a result of Israel's obedience or disobedience. For example, the Babylonian exile was a fulfillment of warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12).

New Testament Context

The New Testament frequently uses the term "fulfills" in relation to Jesus Christ, asserting that He is the culmination of Old Testament prophecy. Matthew's Gospel, in particular, emphasizes this connection, often stating that events in Jesus' life occurred "to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet." For example, Matthew 1:22-23 states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."

Jesus Himself speaks of fulfillment in relation to His mission. In Luke 4:21 , after reading from the scroll of Isaiah, He declares, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." This statement underscores His role as the Messiah who brings to completion the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the concept of fulfillment underscores the reliability and authority of Scripture. It affirms that God's word is trustworthy and that His purposes will be accomplished. This is evident in passages like Isaiah 55:11 , which states, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it."

Furthermore, fulfillment in the New Testament highlights the continuity between the Old and New Covenants. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, bringing a new understanding and completion to the covenantal relationship between God and humanity. In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus asserts, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them."

Eschatological Fulfillment

The concept of fulfillment also extends to eschatology, the study of end times. The New Testament speaks of future events that will fulfill God's ultimate plan for creation. Revelation 21:6 declares, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life." This points to the final fulfillment of God's redemptive work, where His kingdom is fully realized.

In summary, "fulfills" in the biblical context is a testament to God's faithfulness, the reliability of His word, and the unfolding of His divine plan through history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the anticipated completion of His kingdom.3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... 3316 (a "mediator") intervenes to restore peace between two parties,
especially as it fulfills a compact or ratifies a covenant. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k

1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding
... beyond ordinary justice") builds on the real (purpose) of what is really at stake
(note the , "upon") -- and hence, is that appropriately fulfills the (not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1933.htm - 7k

1997. episunagoge -- a gathering together, an assembly
... Cognate: 1997 -- a (apt) "grouping together" that fulfills (builds ) the specific
of the gathering together (note the , ""). See 1996 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1997.htm - 7k

499. antitupos -- struck back, corresponding to
... image. 499 (from 473/, "corresponding to" and 5179/, "type") -- properly,
an which corresponds to (fulfills) a (a predictive symbol). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/499.htm - 7k

7521. ratsah -- to be pleased with, accept favorably
... 1), approved (1), delight (4), delights (2), enjoy (2), enjoyed (1), favor (2),
favorable (1), favored (2), favors (1), find pleasure (1), fulfills (1), make (1 ...
/hebrew/7521.htm - 6k

1 Timothy i. 7-May
... Nay even so it is good. But what he means is this; if any one fulfills it in
his actions; for that is to "use it lawfully" as here intended. ...
/.../homily ii 1 timothy i.htm

Whether Good is Logically Prior to the True?
... But truth as applied to "life" is used in a particular sense, inasmuch as a man
fulfills in his life that to which he is ordained by the divine intellect, as ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether good is logically prior.htm

That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed nor Fails ...
... Him. O what joy and gladness glides into the love? O with how happy and truly
desireable sweetness it fulfills his soul? Love certain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods love.htm

Of Israel's Bondage in Egypt, their Deliverance, and their Passage ...
... carnal fear rather than by spiritual charity. But nothing fulfills the law
save charity. Consequently, they were burdened with many ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 20 of israels bondage in.htm

Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
... In short, where grace fulfills the law, no one is for that reason given license
to continue in wrong-doing; on the contrary, he is under increased obligation ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventh sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

General Notes by the American Editor
... He now fulfills the promise of Christ, "He shall show you things to come." Without
this complement the Church would lack assurance that her great Head upon the ...
/.../general notes by the american.htm

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... The purpose of Matthew is to prove that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who, as
the King of Israel, fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

On the End of Man
... The end of a watch is to keep time. The end of a pen is to write, etc. A thing is
good only in proportion to the way it fulfills the end for which it was made. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 1 on the end.htm

The Early Preaching and the First Disciples
... It exactly fulfills His own description of the kingdom which He proclaimed, which
was to exhibit first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 14-20 the early preaching.htm

Things which Defile
... is he the worse." "The things which proceed out of the man are those which defile
the man," here is the germ of all the demonstration that love fulfills the law ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 7 14-23 things which defile.htm

Fulfills (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fulfills (4 Occurrences). Romans 2:27 Won't the
uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law ...
/f/fulfills.htm - 7k

Fulfillment (19 Occurrences)

/f/fulfillment.htm - 11k

Fulfilment (25 Occurrences)

/f/fulfilment.htm - 13k

Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/u/uncircumcision.htm - 14k

Observer (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises. 4. (n.) A
sycophantic follower. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TIMES, OBSERVER OF. ...
/o/observer.htm - 8k

Letter (112 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/l/letter.htm - 40k

Fulfil (60 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/f/fulfil.htm - 25k

Transgressor (9 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/t/transgressor.htm - 9k

Transgress (26 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/t/transgress.htm - 14k

Physically (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:27 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law,
judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? ...
/p/physically.htm - 7k

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