The term "God-ward" is an archaic expression found in older English translations of the Bible, signifying a direction or orientation towards God. It is used to describe actions, thoughts, or attitudes that are directed towards God, reflecting a relationship or movement in His direction. In contemporary translations, this term is often rendered as "toward God" or "to God."

Biblical Usage:

1. 2 Corinthians 3:4 : "Such confidence we have through Christ before God." In this context, the phrase "before God" is understood as "God-ward," indicating a confidence that is directed towards God, facilitated through Christ. This confidence is not self-derived but is a result of the believer's relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

2. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 : "For not only did the word of the Lord ring out from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything further." Here, the Thessalonians' faith is described as being "in God," which can be understood as "God-ward," emphasizing their faith's orientation and testimony towards God, impacting others far and wide.

Theological Significance:

The concept of being "God-ward" is central to the Christian life, emphasizing a posture of the heart and mind that is continually oriented towards God. This orientation is foundational for spiritual growth and maturity, as it reflects a life lived in response to God's grace and truth.

1. Relationship with God: Being God-ward implies an active and dynamic relationship with God. It involves seeking His presence, understanding His will, and aligning one's life with His purposes. This relationship is made possible through Jesus Christ, who reconciles believers to God and enables them to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

2. Spiritual Transformation: A God-ward orientation is transformative, as it involves the renewal of the mind and heart. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is a result of turning God-ward, allowing His Spirit to work within, producing the fruit of righteousness.

3. Prayer and Worship: The God-ward life is marked by prayer and worship, which are expressions of a heart directed towards God. Philippians 4:6 encourages believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Prayer is a vital means of maintaining a God-ward focus, fostering intimacy and dependence on Him.

4. Moral and Ethical Living: A God-ward orientation influences moral and ethical decisions, guiding believers to live according to God's standards. Ephesians 5:8-10 exhorts, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Test and prove what pleases the Lord." Living God-ward involves discerning and doing what is pleasing to God.

Practical Implications:

1. Daily Devotion: Cultivating a God-ward life involves daily devotion through Scripture reading, prayer, and meditation. This practice helps believers remain focused on God and His will.

2. Community and Fellowship: Engaging in Christian community and fellowship encourages a God-ward orientation, as believers support and exhort one another in their walk with God.

3. Service and Witness: A God-ward life naturally extends to service and witness, as believers seek to glorify God through acts of love and sharing the gospel with others.

In summary, "God-ward" encapsulates a life directed towards God, characterized by faith, transformation, and obedience. It is a holistic approach to living that seeks to honor God in all aspects of life.4136. mul -- front, in front of
... over against, before, forefront, from, Godward, toward, with. ... prefix) opposite --
(over) against, before, (fore-)front, from, (God-)ward, toward, with. ...
/hebrew/4136.htm - 6k

What is God's Will?
... It expresses the end of life God-ward"determines the quality of all the things we
do by the extent to which they make way in the world for the everywhere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/what is gods will.htm

Our Compassionate High Priest
... 5:2. The high priest looked Godward, and therefore he had need to be holy;
for he had to deal with things pertaining to God. But ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/our compassionate high priest.htm

1 Thessalonians i. 10-Aug
... "For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that ...
/.../homily ii 1 thessalonians i.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... 4 And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 not that we are sufficient
of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... 1. DIVINE SIDE. 2. HUMAN SIDE. 3. QUESTION OF MEANS. IV. RESULTS OF REPENTANCE.
1. GODWARD. 2. MANWARD. A. REPENTANCE. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Jesus' Friendships after He Arose.
... That which is emphasized in Christian hymns and in most books about heaven is the
Godward side. ... But love has a manward as well as a Godward development. St. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xiv jesus friendships after.htm

Sorrow the Pledge of Joy.
... The endless day will at length dawn whose every throbbing moment will heave our
hearts Godward; we shall scarce need to lift them up: now, there are two door ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/sorrow the pledge of joy.htm

The Power of Prayer
... It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspect of Christian
work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so much man's work for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter i the power of.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... [1054] Thus a God-ward fast is a work of reverential awe: and by its means also
Hannah the wife of Elkanah making suit, barren as she had been beforetime ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

The Ministry of the New Covenant
... And such confidence have we through Christ Godward: not that we are sufficient of
ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xvi the ministry of.htm

God-ward (3 Occurrences)
God-ward. God-taught, God-ward. Goel . Multi-Version Concordance
God-ward (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 3:4 And such ...
/g/god-ward.htm - 7k

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)
... that the translators of the King James Version sometimes rendered kaphar by "reconcile"
shows that they understood reconciliation to have the Godward aspect. ...
/r/reconciliation.htm - 30k

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)
... that the translators of the King James Version sometimes rendered kaphar by "reconcile"
shows that they understood reconciliation to have the Godward aspect. ...
/r/reconcile.htm - 29k

Mediation
... But the God-ward aspect is not absent, for we find the prophet mediating with God
on behalf of men, making intercession for them (Jeremiah 14:19-22 Amos 7:2, 5 ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... So, "to God-ward" (Exodus 18:19 2 Corinthians 3:4 1 Thessalonians 1:8); "to
thee-ward" (1 Samuel 19:4); "to us-ward" (Psalm 40:5 Ephesians 1:19 2 Peter 3:9 ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... But the God-ward aspect is not absent, for we find the prophet mediating with God
on behalf of men, making intercession for them (Jeremiah 14:19-22 Amos 7:2, 5 ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Goel

/g/goel.htm - 11k

Kad'mi-el (8 Occurrences)
... the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and give thanks,
according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward against ward. ...
/k/kad'mi-el.htm - 8k

God-taught (1 Occurrence)
God-taught. Godspeed, God-taught. God-ward . Multi-Version Concordance
God-taught (1 Occurrence). ... Godspeed, God-taught. God-ward . Reference Bible.
/g/god-taught.htm - 6k

Wait (223 Occurrences)
... 3:20). (3) The most important and frequent use of the word "wait," however,
is to define the attitude of a soul God-ward. It implies ...
/w/wait.htm - 41k

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