The term "tossed" in the Bible often conveys the imagery of instability, uncertainty, and lack of direction, frequently associated with the sea's tumultuous nature. This imagery is used metaphorically to describe spiritual or emotional states of being unsettled or lacking faith.

Biblical References:

1. James 1:6 : "But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." In this passage, James warns believers about the dangers of doubt in their faith journey. The imagery of being "tossed by the wind" highlights the instability and lack of firm grounding that comes with wavering faith. It serves as an admonition to approach God with unwavering trust and confidence.

2. Ephesians 4:14 : "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming." Here, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity and doctrinal stability. The metaphor of being "tossed about by the waves" illustrates the vulnerability of immature believers who are easily swayed by false teachings and deceitful doctrines. Paul encourages growth in faith and knowledge to avoid such instability.

3. Isaiah 54:11 : "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires." Although the word "tossed" is not directly used in this verse, the imagery of a city "lashed by storms" conveys a similar sense of turmoil and distress. God's promise to restore and comfort the afflicted city reflects His compassion and the assurance of stability and peace for His people.

Theological Implications:

The concept of being "tossed" in the biblical context often serves as a caution against spiritual instability and the dangers of being swayed by external influences. It underscores the necessity of a firm foundation in faith, rooted in the truth of God's Word. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual maturity, which provides stability and resilience against the metaphorical storms of life.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the imagery of being "tossed" challenges Christians to examine their own faith and spiritual practices. It calls for a commitment to deepening one's understanding of Scripture and cultivating a steadfast relationship with God. By doing so, believers can withstand the challenges and uncertainties of life, remaining anchored in their faith and purpose.

Related Concepts:

· Faith and Doubt: The interplay between faith and doubt is central to understanding the metaphor of being "tossed." A strong, unwavering faith acts as an anchor, preventing believers from being easily swayed.
· Spiritual Maturity: Growth in spiritual maturity is essential to avoid being "tossed" by false teachings and deceitful doctrines. It involves a deepening knowledge of Scripture and a closer walk with God.
· Stability in Christ: The ultimate solution to being "tossed" is finding stability in Christ, who provides peace and assurance amidst life's uncertainties.(imp. & p. p.) of Toss.2831. kludonizomai -- to be tossed by waves
... to be tossed by waves. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kludonizomai Phonetic
Spelling: (kloo-do-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I am tossed by waves ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2831.htm - 6k

5492. cheimazo -- to expose to winter cold, to drive with storm
... cold, to drive with storm. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: cheimazo Phonetic
Spelling: (khi-mad'-zo) Short Definition: I am storm-tossed Definition: I am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5492.htm - 6k

4494. rhipizo -- to fan, generally to make a breeze
... blow. Word Origin from rhipis (a fan) Definition to fan, generally to make
a breeze NASB Word Usage tossed by the wind (1). toss. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4494.htm - 6k

574. haplos -- simply, sincerely
... 6 But he must [continuously, in process] ask in (4102 ) without any doubting, for
the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/574.htm - 7k

5086. nadaph -- to drive, drive asunder
... drive away, to and fro, thrust down, shaken, tossed to and fro. A primitive
root; to shove asunder, ie Disperse -- drive (away, to ...
/hebrew/5086.htm - 6k

5590. saar -- to storm, rage
... root Definition to storm, rage NASB Word Usage blown away (1), enraged (1), scattered
them with a storm wind (1), storm-tossed (1), stormed (1), stormier (1 ...
/hebrew/5590.htm - 6k

5076. nadud -- a tossing (of sleeplessness)
... tossing to and fro. Passive participle of nadad; properly, tossed; abstractly, a
rolling (on the bed) -- tossing to and fro. see HEBREW nadad. 5075, 5076. ...
/hebrew/5076.htm - 6k

8181. sear -- hair
... hairy, rough. Or sa.ar (Isaiah 7:20) {sah'-ar}; from sa'ar in the sense of dishevelling;
hair (as if tossed or bristling) -- hair(-y), X rough. see HEBREW sa'ar ...
/hebrew/8181.htm - 6k

1644. garash -- to drive out, cast out
... drive (16), driven (6), driven it away (1), driving (1), drove (8), drove them away
(1), evict (1), expelled (1), surely drive (1), toss (1), tossed about (1 ...
/hebrew/1644.htm - 6k

To the Afflicted, Tossed with Tempests and not Comforted. Isa 44:5 ...
... SONG OF SOLOMON Hymn 63 To the afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted.
Isa 44:5-11. ... 7,7,7,7. To the afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 63 to the afflicted.htm

Recapitulation of the Various Arguments Adduced against Gnostic ...
... Heresies: Book III Chapter XXIV."Recapitulation of the various arguments adduced
against Gnostic impiety under all its aspects The heretics, tossed about by ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv recapitulation of the various.htm

He Perished under Divine Wrath. visions of the Emperor's Death ...
... Visions of the Emperor's Death seen by Various Individuals. Reply of the
Carpenter's Son; Julian tossed his Blood aloft to Christ. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter ii he perished under divine.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, "But the Boat was Now ...
... hasten. For that ship which carries the disciples, which was tossed in
the waves by a contrary wind, is not without its meaning. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxv on the words.htm

The World Compared to the Sea.
... And as in the sea there are islands, some of them habitable, and well-watered, and
fruitful, with havens and harbours in which the storm-tossed may find refuge ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiv the world compared to.htm

Psalm XLVI.
... For in them Christ was sleeping, therefore were they tossed: Christ awoke (as but
now we heard out of the Gospel), He commanded the winds, and they were still. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvi.htm

Stillness in Storm
... originally means 'to be elevated, to be raised as a meteor,' and comes by degrees
to mean to be raised in one special way"namely, as a boat is tossed by a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/stillness in storm.htm

Exhortations.
... The times call for thee, as pilots do for the winds, and as one tossed with tempest
seeks for the haven, so that both thou [and those under thy care] may ...
/.../chapter ii exhortations.htm

A Word to the Wavering Ones
... "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like
a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 12 a word to.htm

The Notes of a True Catholic. ...
... nor suffers to live. O wretched condition! With what surging tempestuous
cares are they tossed about! One while, the error being ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xx the notes of.htm

Tossed (19 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tossed (19 Occurrences). Matthew 14:24 But the ship was
now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. ...
/t/tossed.htm - 12k

Tempest-tossed (1 Occurrence)
Tempest-tossed. Tempest, Tempest-tossed. Tempestuous . Multi-Version
Concordance Tempest-tossed (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/t/tempest-tossed.htm - 6k

Storm-tossed (2 Occurrences)
Storm-tossed. Storms, Storm-tossed. Stormwind . Multi-Version
Concordance Storm-tossed (2 Occurrences). Acts 27:18 And ...
/s/storm-tossed.htm - 6k

Fro (54 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning ...
/f/fro.htm - 23k

Toss (13 Occurrences)
... head. 3. (vt) To cause to rise and fall; as, a ship tossed on the waves in a
storm. 4 ... fling. 8. (vi) To be tossed, as a fleet on the ocean. 9 ...
/t/toss.htm - 10k

Horror (51 Occurrences)
... cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies; thou shalt go out one way against
them, and shalt flee seven ways before them: and thou shalt be tossed to and ...
/h/horror.htm - 23k

Tempest (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest,
the next day they lightened the ship; (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/t/tempest.htm - 17k

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)
... will cause you to be struck before your enemies; you shall go out one way against
them, and shall flee seven ways before them: and you shall be tossed back and ...
/k/kingdoms.htm - 29k

Object (76 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 29:8 Therefore the wrath of Yahweh was on Judah and Jerusalem, and
he has delivered them to be tossed back and forth, to be an astonishment, and a ...
/o/object.htm - 31k

Blown (30 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness ...
/b/blown.htm - 16k

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