Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "insufficient" in the Bible often relates to human limitations and the need for divine intervention or grace. Throughout Scripture, the insufficiency of human efforts, wisdom, and righteousness is contrasted with the sufficiency of God’s power, wisdom, and grace.Human Insufficiency 1. Human Wisdom and Understanding: The Bible frequently highlights the limitations of human wisdom. In Proverbs 3:5, believers are admonished to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." This verse underscores the insufficiency of human understanding compared to divine wisdom. 2. Righteousness and Works: Isaiah 64:6 states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This illustrates the insufficiency of human righteousness in achieving salvation or favor with God. The New Testament echoes this in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 3. Material Provision: In the Gospels, Jesus teaches about the insufficiency of material wealth and human provision. In Matthew 6:25-34, He instructs His followers not to worry about their needs, emphasizing that God knows and provides for them, thus highlighting the insufficiency of human efforts to secure their own future. Divine Sufficiency 1. God’s Grace: The Apostle Paul speaks of God’s grace as sufficient in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where the Lord says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This passage reveals that human weakness and insufficiency are opportunities for God’s power to be displayed. 2. Provision and Strength: Philippians 4:19 assures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise points to the sufficiency of God’s provision in contrast to human insufficiency. 3. Salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that salvation is not a result of human effort but a gift from God: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This underscores the insufficiency of human works in achieving salvation. Dependence on God The Bible encourages believers to recognize their insufficiency and to depend wholly on God. In John 15:5, Jesus declares, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This metaphor illustrates the necessity of abiding in Christ to overcome human insufficiency and bear spiritual fruit. Prayer and Faith Prayer is a recognition of human insufficiency and a reliance on God’s sufficiency. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, acknowledging that human wisdom is insufficient: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." In summary, the theme of insufficiency in the Bible serves to highlight the limitations of human efforts and the necessity of relying on God’s all-sufficient grace, wisdom, and provision. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Not enough; inadequate to any need, use, or purpose; as, the provisions are insufficient in quantity, and defective in quality.2. (a.) Wanting in strength, power, ability, capacity, or skill; incompetent; incapable; unfit; as, a person insufficient to discharge the duties of an office. Greek 5303. husterema -- that which is lacking, need ... want, poverty. Cognate: 5303 (a neuter noun derived from 5302 , see there) -- what is lacking (insufficient). See 5302 (). Word ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5303.htm - 7k 1952. epileipo -- to fail Strong's Hebrew 5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake... root Definition to reach, overtake NASB Word Usage able* (1), afford* (2), attained (1), becomes sufficient (1), caught (1), find (1), insufficient (2), last ... /hebrew/5381.htm - 6k Library Self-Righteousness Insufficient. Self-Righteousness Insufficient. Miracles Alone, Without Prophecy, an Insufficient Evidence of ... Whether the New Law Made Sufficient Ordinations About External ... To his Praise! Foreword to the Second Edition Proof that the virgin Mother of God was not Only Christotocos but ... Whether the Proofs which Christ Made Use of Manifested ... Whether Impotence is an Impediment to Marriage? Whether Treachery, Fraud, Falsehood, Perjury, Restlessness ... Thesaurus Insufficient (3 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Not enough; inadequate to any need, use, or purpose; as, the provisions are insufficient in quantity, and defective in quality. ... /i/insufficient.htm - 7k Insult (25 Occurrences) Zephaniah (11 Occurrences) Zabadaeans Nights (27 Occurrences) Unbalanced (3 Occurrences) Labour (119 Occurrences) Lightning (49 Occurrences) Wedge (3 Occurrences) Insubordination (1 Occurrence) Resources What is intersectionality, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhom did Jesus die for? Did Jesus die for everyone? | GotQuestions.org Who is authorized to oversee the Lord's Supper? | GotQuestions.org Insufficient: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Insufficient (3 Occurrences)2 Corinthians 11:27 Leviticus 5:11 Leviticus 14:21 Subtopics Related Terms |
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