The term "sufficed" refers to the state of having enough or being adequately provided for. In the context of the Bible, it often relates to God's provision for His people, ensuring that their needs are met according to His divine wisdom and timing. The concept of sufficiency is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing reliance on God's provision rather than human effort or material wealth.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of sufficiency is frequently associated with God's provision for the Israelites. During their journey through the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven to sustain them. In Exodus 16:18 , it is written, "When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. They gathered as much as they needed to eat." This passage illustrates the principle that God's provision is perfectly sufficient for each individual's needs.

The theme of sufficiency is also evident in the laws concerning the Sabbath and the sabbatical year, where the Israelites were commanded to rest and trust in God's provision. Leviticus 25:21-22 states, "I will send My blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that it will yield a crop sufficient for three years. While you are sowing in the eighth year, you will be eating from the previous harvest, until the ninth year’s harvest comes in."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of sufficiency is often linked to spiritual provision and contentment. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the sufficiency found in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." Here, sufficiency is not merely about material needs but about the grace and strength provided by Christ in times of weakness.

Philippians 4:11-13 further underscores this theme: "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul's contentment, regardless of his circumstances, reflects a deep trust in the sufficiency of Christ's provision.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of sufficiency challenges believers to trust in God's provision and to find contentment in His will. It calls for a reliance on divine providence rather than human resources. This trust is rooted in the belief that God, as the Creator and Sustainer, knows and provides what is best for His people.

The sufficiency of God's provision is also a call to stewardship, encouraging believers to use their resources wisely and to share with others, reflecting God's generosity. In 2 Corinthians 9:8 , Paul writes, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical principle of sufficiency encourages Christians to live with gratitude and contentment, trusting in God's provision for their daily needs. It also inspires a spirit of generosity, as believers recognize that their sufficiency is not solely for their benefit but also for the blessing of others. This perspective fosters a community of faith that reflects the love and provision of God to the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Suffice.

Concerning Felicity, whom the Romans, who Venerate Many Gods, for ...
... Felicity, Whom the Romans, Who Venerate Many Gods, for a Long Time Did Not Worship
with Divine Honor, Though She Alone Would Have Sufficed Instead of All. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 concerning felicity whom the.htm

Blessed be He who Became Beyond Measure Low, that He Might Make us ...
... 7. He dwelt in the wide bosoms, of all the creatures;"too narrow to hold, the greatness
of the Firstborn."How then sufficed for it, that bosom of Mary ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv blessed be he.htm

Glory to all of Thee from all of Us!
... 2. It is a great marvel that the Son, dwelt wholly in a body;"abode therein wholly
and it sufficed for Him; dwelt therein though not bounded thereby."His ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi glory to all.htm

Wherefore Christ Undertook a Method of Setting us Free So Painful ...
... VIII Wherefore Christ undertook a method of setting us free so painful and laborious,
when a word from Him, or an act of His will, would alone have sufficed. ...
/.../chapter viii wherefore christ undertook.htm

Matt. xx. 29, 30
... Therefore He doth not so much as ask, "Do ye believe?" as He doth with many; for
their cry, and their coming unto Him, sufficed to make their faith manifest. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxvi matt xx 29.htm

John who was a Torch, Laid Bare and Rebuked the Wanton Ones: they ...
... 8. Let evil customs be cut off: let not the Church possess wealth; that she be sufficed
let her possess souls, and if thus she be sufficed let it be in ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxi john who was.htm

Whether Circumcision Bestowed Sanctifying Grace?
... Objection 2: Further, before the institution of circumcision faith alone
sufficed for justification; hence Gregory says (Moral. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether circumcision bestowed sanctifying grace.htm

Cont. With Jairus Cont.
... But lest we should suppose that effort was necessary, and His power but just sufficed
to overcome the resistance, none of these supreme miracles is wrought ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 21-43 cont with jairus.htm

Introduction
... The fact that the words were written when Luther was still Prior of Wittenberg,
and before there was any breach with Rome, should have sufficed to secure them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/introduction.htm

Chapter i.
... version in the stricter sense [8] had its origin in Babylonia; there, as in Palestine,
the services of the synagogue interpreter (mtvrgtn) sufficed for the ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i.htm

Sufficed (4 Occurrences)
...Sufficed (4 Occurrences). ... And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched
corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. (KJV ASV DBY). ...
/s/sufficed.htm - 7k

Suffice (22 Occurrences)
... 21:14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they
had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not ...
/s/suffice.htm - 13k

Reserved (28 Occurrences)
... vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers; and he reached her parched corn,
and she ate and was sufficed, and reserved some. (DBY). ...
/r/reserved.htm - 15k

Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... 21:14 And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they
had saved alive of the women of Jabeshgilead: and yet so they sufficed them not ...
/j/jabeshgilead.htm - 13k

Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... 14 And Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had
saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. ...
/j/jabesh-gilead.htm - 13k

Judaeus
... Minor phenomena aside, three principal movements characterized the time: the Pagan
reaction, or reversion to forms of religion that had sufficed the peoples of ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Gleaned (6 Occurrences)
... up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and
she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed...
/g/gleaned.htm - 8k

Mother-in-law (16 Occurrences)
... up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and
she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed...
/m/mother-in-law.htm - 11k

Philo
... Minor phenomena aside, three principal movements characterized the time: the Pagan
reaction, or reversion to forms of religion that had sufficed the peoples of ...
/p/philo.htm - 29k

Court (172 Occurrences)
... in length and 75 ft. in breadth had sufficed for the needs of the people in
their worship. Now an area of 300 ft. in length and 150 ft. ...
/c/court.htm - 47k

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