Nerve
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In the context of biblical literature, the term "nerve" as understood in modern anatomy does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of strength, courage, and fortitude, which can be metaphorically associated with the idea of "nerve," is prevalent throughout the Bible. These attributes are often seen as gifts from God, enabling individuals to fulfill His purposes and commands.

Strength and Courage in the Old Testament

The Old Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of strength and courage, qualities that can be likened to having "nerve" in the face of adversity. In Joshua 1:9 , God commands Joshua, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This passage highlights the divine source of strength and the assurance of God's presence as the foundation for courage.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 31:6 , Moses encourages the Israelites, saying, "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Here, the call to be strong and courageous is directly linked to the faithfulness and constant presence of God.

Fortitude in the Psalms and Proverbs

The Psalms and Proverbs also reflect on the inner strength and resilience that can be associated with "nerve." Psalm 27:14 advises, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." This verse underscores the importance of relying on God for strength and the courage to endure.

Proverbs 28:1 contrasts the righteous with the wicked, stating, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." This boldness, akin to having "nerve," is attributed to the righteousness and confidence that come from living in accordance with God's will.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the concept of "nerve" can be seen in the boldness and courage of the apostles and early Christians. Acts 4:13 describes the boldness of Peter and John: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus." The source of their boldness was their relationship with Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the idea of spiritual fortitude in 2 Timothy 1:7 , where he writes, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This verse highlights the divine origin of the courage and strength that believers are called to exhibit.

Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18 provides a vivid metaphor for spiritual strength and resilience, describing the "armor of God." Verse 10 begins, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." The passage goes on to describe the various elements of spiritual armor, encouraging believers to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. This imagery conveys the idea of having the "nerve" to withstand spiritual challenges through divine empowerment.

In summary, while the Bible does not specifically mention "nerve" in the anatomical sense, it richly addresses the themes of strength, courage, and fortitude. These qualities are consistently portrayed as gifts from God, essential for living a life of faith and obedience.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the animal body.

2. (n.) A sinew or a tendon.

3. (n.) Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control; constitutional vigor.

4. (n.) Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.

5. (n.) Audacity; assurance.

6. (n.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf.

7. (n.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of insects.

8. (v. t.) To give strength or vigor to; to supply with force; as, fear nerved his arm.

Greek
2743. kauteriazo -- sear with a hot iron.
... 2743 (from 2545 , "burn") -- properly, brand (sear) with a red-hot iron;
(figuratively) , which destroys the "spiritual nerve-endings.". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2743.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
5384. nasheh -- a vein (or nerve) in the thigh
... 5383, 5384. nasheh. 5385 . a vein (or nerve) in the thigh. Transliteration:
nasheh Phonetic Spelling: (naw-sheh') Short Definition: hip. ...
/hebrew/5384.htm - 6k
Library

Septuagesima 111. Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Septuagesima 111. Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve. CM
[430]Christmas: ... Philip Doddridge, 1755. Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve,. ...
/.../septuagesima 111 awake my soul.htm

Life on the Top Floor
... Bone for bone, muscle for muscle and nerve for nerve, you and I are exactly the
same as the higher vertebrae of the animal kingdom; and after we passed through ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/v life on the top.htm

A Free Salvation
... there is everything which is needed for the human frame"for bone, for
sinew, for nerve, for muscle, for flesh"all is there. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a free salvation.htm

The Indwelling and Outgoing Works of God.
... laboring intensely. Yet the act is now only in contemplation. The heat and
the ferment, the nerve-tension are all within. A terrible ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iii the indwelling and outgoing.htm

Amasiah
... are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices.' Only when God dwells in us, shall we have the nerve and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/amasiah.htm

The Contemptuous Rejection.
... They had a sensitive pocket-nerve. It was a sort of pneumogastric nerve so close
did it come to their lives. Jesus touched it roughly. It never quit aching. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the contemptuous rejection.htm

Fear Not
... We are well and in good spirits; we know not why, but it seems as if God's finger
had touched one nerve, but one poor nerve, and we are so miserable that we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fear not.htm

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
... It produces an artificial exhaustion, as it were, of the nerve-centers.
It certainly does no good, even when used in moderation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xiv evil habits and.htm

Called to Swatow
... Henceforth, then, it matters not, if storm or sunshine be my earthly lot, bitter
or sweet my cup; I only pray, GOD, make me holy, And my spirit nerve for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xii called to swatow.htm

On Descartes' "Discourse Touching the Method of Using One's Reason ...
... that they impinge upon the surface of the retina, which is a singularly delicate
apparatus, connected with the termination of the fibres of the optic nerve. ...
/.../lay sermons addresses and reviews/xiv on descartes discourse touching.htm

Thesaurus
Nerve (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying
tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various ...
/n/nerve.htm - 7k

Irritation (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of exciting, or the condition of being excited to action, by
stimulation; -- as, the condition of an organ of sense, when its nerve is affected ...
/i/irritation.htm - 7k

Nervous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous.
2. (a.) Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized ...
/n/nervous.htm - 7k

Reflection (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means
of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex. ...
/r/reflection.htm - 8k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as a result of the stimulating
action of light on the sensitive retina, an expansion of the optic nerve. ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Recurrent (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Returning from time to time; recurring; as, recurrent pains. 2. (a.) Running
back toward its origin; as, a recurrent nerve or artery. ...
/r/recurrent.htm - 6k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The union of parts which have been severed, so that they become anatomically
perfect; as, the regeneration of a nerve. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Rib (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
8. (n.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. ...
/r/rib.htm - 11k

Endeavour (7 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:24 "Strain every nerve to force your way in through the narrow gate," He
answered; "for multitudes, I tell you, will endeavour to find a way in and ...
/e/endeavour.htm - 8k

Delilah (7 Occurrences)
... The account indicates that for beauty, personal charm, mental ability, self-command,
nerve, she was quite a wonderful woman, a woman to be admired for some ...
/d/delilah.htm - 10k

Resources
Why do men have nipples? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about dealing with chronic pain? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Intelligent Design Theory? | GotQuestions.org

Nerve: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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