The term "threadbare" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of worn-out or tattered clothing is present in various passages, symbolizing poverty, humility, or spiritual neglect. In a biblical context, clothing often serves as a metaphor for one's spiritual state or social condition.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, clothing is frequently used to signify one's status or condition. For example, in the book of Job, Job laments his condition by describing his physical and social state. Although the term "threadbare" is not used, Job's suffering and the deterioration of his status are evident: "He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head" (Job 19:9). This stripping away can be seen as a metaphorical rendering of one's garments to a threadbare state, reflecting loss and humility.

The prophet Isaiah also uses clothing imagery to convey spiritual truths. In Isaiah 64:6, the prophet declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." Here, the imagery of worn-out garments symbolizes the inadequacy of human righteousness compared to God's holiness.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of clothing continues to carry spiritual significance. In the parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus speaks of a man who is not dressed in wedding clothes, symbolizing the necessity of being spiritually prepared (Matthew 22:11-14). While not explicitly threadbare, the lack of appropriate attire signifies spiritual neglect and unpreparedness.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses clothing metaphors to describe the Christian life. In Colossians 3:9-10, he writes, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." The imagery of taking off and putting on clothing suggests a transformation from a spiritually impoverished state to one of renewal and righteousness.

Symbolism and Application

Threadbare clothing in the Bible can symbolize various spiritual and moral conditions. It may represent poverty, both physical and spiritual, as seen in the lives of the prophets and the early Christians who often lived in humble circumstances. It can also signify humility and the recognition of one's need for God's grace, as illustrated by the repentant sinner who acknowledges their spiritual poverty.

Moreover, the concept of threadbare garments can serve as a warning against spiritual complacency. Just as worn-out clothing needs mending or replacement, so too does a neglected spiritual life require renewal and restoration through faith and obedience to God.

In summary, while the specific term "threadbare" is not used in the Bible, the imagery of worn and tattered clothing serves as a powerful metaphor for various spiritual truths, emphasizing the need for humility, repentance, and renewal in the Christian life.1. (a.) Worn to the naked thread; having the nap worn off; threadbare clothes.

2. (a.) Fig.: Worn out; as, a threadbare subject; stale topics and threadbare quotations.

7146. qarachath -- baldness of head
... From qarach; a bald spot (on the back of the head); figuratively, a threadbare
spot (on the back side of the cloth) -- bald head, bare within. ...
/hebrew/7146.htm - 6k

The Fifth Beatitude
... That is a very threadbare thought, brother, but the way to invest commonplace with
startling power is to bring it into immediate connection with our own life ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the fifth beatitude.htm

Salvation: Grace: Faith
... Here are three of the key-words of the New Testament"'grace,' 'saved,' 'faith.'
Once these terms were strange and new; now they are old and threadbare. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/salvation grace faith.htm

A New Years Message
... briefly. I. The journey. That is a threadbare metaphor for life. But
threadbare as it is, its significance is inexhaustible. But ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a new years message.htm

John Mark
... This is very 'threadbare' morality, very very familiar and old- fashioned teaching;
but I am accustomed to believe that no teaching is threadbare until it is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/john mark.htm

Man Summoned by God's Glory and Energy
... Threadbare and consequently vague as the expression is in the minds of a great many
people who have heard it with their ears ever since they were little ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/man summoned by gods glory.htm

The Gift and the Giver
... 'Oh!' you say, 'commonplace, threadbare pulpit rhetoric.' Yes! Do you live
as if it were true? It will never be too threadbare to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gift and the giver.htm

Two Kinds of Riches
... was never more needed in Manchester than to-day, that we should preach and preach
and preach, over and over again, this old-fashioned threadbare truth, which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/two kinds of riches.htm

The Bread of the Presence
... 'Ah,' you say, 'that is a threadbare commonplace.' Yes, it is, dear friends; it
is a commonplace just because it is needful at every turn, if we are to make ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of the presence.htm

The Light and the Lamps
... Brethren, it is threadbare truth, that the condition of Christian vitality and radiance
is close and unbroken contact with Jesus Christ, the Source of all light ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the light and the lamps.htm

The Waves of Time
... casting down.' It is the same thought of life, and its successive epochs of opportunity
never returning, which finds expression in the threadbare lines about ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the waves of time.htm

Threadbare (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Worn to the naked thread; having the nap worn
off; threadbare clothes. ... Multi-Version Concordance Threadbare (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/threadbare.htm - 7k

Threads (13 Occurrences)

/t/threads.htm - 10k

Thread (32 Occurrences)

/t/thread.htm - 16k

Nap (1 Occurrence)
... not changed its appearance, and the sore have not spread, it is unclean: thou shalt
burn it with fire: it is a fretting sore on what is threadbare or where the ...
/n/nap.htm - 7k

Fretting (6 Occurrences)
... not changed its appearance, and the sore have not spread, it is unclean: thou shalt
burn it with fire: it is a fretting sore on what is threadbare or where the ...
/f/fretting.htm - 10k

Bare (250 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Threadbare; much worn. 7. (a.) Mere; alone; unaccompanied by anything
else; as, a bare majority. 8. (n.) Surface; body; substance. ...
/b/bare.htm - 35k

Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... not changed its appearance, and the sore have not spread, it is unclean: thou shalt
burn it with fire: it is a fretting sore on what is threadbare or where the ...
/a/appearance.htm - 41k

Sore (156 Occurrences)
... not changed its appearance, and the sore have not spread, it is unclean: thou shalt
burn it with fire: it is a fretting sore on what is threadbare or where the ...
/s/sore.htm - 40k

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