Unfolding
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The concept of "unfolding" in the Bible can be understood as the gradual revelation and manifestation of God's will, purposes, and truths throughout history. This theme is evident in the progressive nature of divine revelation, the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, and the development of spiritual understanding among believers.

Divine Revelation

The Bible itself is an unfolding revelation of God's character and purposes. Hebrews 1:1-2 states, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son." This passage highlights the progressive nature of revelation, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The unfolding of God's word is further emphasized in Psalm 119:130 : "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple." Here, the psalmist acknowledges that as God's word is revealed, it brings understanding and enlightenment.

Redemptive Plan

The unfolding of God's redemptive plan is a central theme in Scripture. From the promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15 to the fulfillment of that promise in the New Testament, God's plan for salvation unfolds through covenants, prophecies, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:9-10 speaks to this unfolding plan: "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ."

Spiritual Understanding

The unfolding of spiritual understanding is another aspect of this theme. Believers are encouraged to grow in their knowledge of God and His ways. Proverbs 4:18 illustrates this progression: "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday." This verse suggests that spiritual insight and maturity develop over time, as believers walk in obedience and faith.

Historical Unfolding

Throughout biblical history, God's purposes unfold in the lives of individuals and nations. The account of Israel, from the call of Abraham to the establishment of the kingdom and the exile, demonstrates God's unfolding plan for His chosen people. Similarly, the early church's growth in the Book of Acts reveals the unfolding of God's mission to spread the gospel to all nations.

Eschatological Unfolding

The Bible also speaks of the unfolding of future events, particularly in eschatological passages. The Book of Revelation, for example, presents a vision of the ultimate unfolding of God's plan for the end times. Revelation 1:1 introduces this theme: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass." This prophetic unfolding assures believers of God's sovereign control over history and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

In summary, the concept of unfolding in the Bible encompasses the progressive revelation of God's word, the development of His redemptive plan, the growth of spiritual understanding, the historical unfolding of His purposes, and the eschatological unfolding of future events. Each aspect underscores the dynamic and purposeful nature of God's interaction with His creation.
Greek
5046. teleios -- having reached its end, ie complete, by ext. ...
... See 5056 (). [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with
the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5046.htm - 8k

5056. telos -- an end, a toll
... [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's
telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5056.htm - 7k

5055. teleo -- to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
... See 5056 (). [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with
the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5055.htm - 8k

5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... See 5056 (). [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with
the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5048.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew
6608. pethach -- an opening, unfolding
... 6607, 6608. pethach. 6609 . an opening, unfolding. Transliteration: pethach
Phonetic Spelling: (pay'-thakh) Short Definition: unfolding. ...
/hebrew/6608.htm - 6k
Library

Whether all are Equally Bound to have Explicit Faith?
... I answer that, The unfolding of matters of faith is the result of Divine
revelation: for matters of faith surpass natural reason. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all are equally bound.htm

The Ideal of To-Day
... Let us consider somewhat at large the unfolding of this philosophy of life. ... Some
like effect on us has the unfolding revelation of the whole process of nature. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/ii the ideal of to-day.htm

The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... He looks at science with awe. It is the thing that is moving, unfolding. It is the
breaking of a fresh seal. It is the new chapter of the world's history. ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the contribution of science to.htm

The Higher Faith.
... It nowhere lays claim to be regarded as the Word, the Way, the Truth. The Bible
leads us to Jesus, the inexhaustible, the ever unfolding Revelation of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the higher faith.htm

Epi Tes Theias Phulakes.
... Look towards the eastern sky; Is the light of heaven unfolding? Comes the radiant
angel nigh,. ... Ere the morning light unfolding. Fills the darkness of the tomb? ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/epi tes theias phulakes.htm

I See! the Gates of Hades Shaken;
... Look towards the eastern sky; Is the light of heaven unfolding? Comes the shining
angel nigh,. ... Ere the morning light unfolding. Fills the darkness of the tomb? ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i see the gates of.htm

February 16. "We Will Give Ourselves Continually to Prayer" (Acts ...
... taking up the burdens of life and praying them out in a wordless prayer which we
ourselves often cannot understand, but which is simply the unfolding of His ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /february 16 we will give.htm

Examination of the Treatise
... approached the threshold of sacred letters, that the manifestation of the divine
perfection and the illustration of his glory consists in the unfolding of His ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm

The Early Years of Jesus
... The intellectual unfolding which belongs to this development is readily
recognized. Not so commonly acknowledged, but none the less ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the early years of.htm

The Dawn of Mind
... Did the Mind, in short, come down the ages like the Body, and does the mother's
faith in the intellectual unfolding of her babe include a remoter origin for ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter iv the dawn of.htm

Thesaurus
Unfolding (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unfolding (2 Occurrences). Psalms 119:130 The opening
of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/unfolding.htm - 7k

Old (3966 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADAM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (Evolutionary Interpretation):
NOTE: It ought to be superfluous to say that the unfolding or development ...
/o/old.htm - 101k

Testament (13 Occurrences)
... WH Griffith Thomas. ADAM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (Evolutionary Interpretation): NOTE:
It ought to be superfluous to say that the unfolding or development of the ...
/t/testament.htm - 101k

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... And where there is no abstract statement of this truth, it is evident that the writer
regards every event as but the unfolding of the purpose of God. ...
/f/foreknow.htm - 36k

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... And where there is no abstract statement of this truth, it is evident that the writer
regards every event as but the unfolding of the purpose of God. ...
/f/foreknowledge.htm - 37k

Adam (29 Occurrences)
... WH Griffith Thomas. ADAM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (Evolutionary Interpretation): NOTE:
It ought to be superfluous to say that the unfolding or development of the ...
/a/adam.htm - 63k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... that all earthly monarchy must bow before the inviolable order of the divine will,
and that no interference could be tolerated with that unfolding of the ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Unforbidden (1 Occurrence)

/u/unforbidden.htm - 6k

Unfoldeth (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfoldeth.htm - 6k

Logos
... thought. The word has a long history, and the evolution of the idea it embodies
is really the unfolding of man's conception of God. ...
/l/logos.htm - 38k

Resources
What is new covenant theology? | GotQuestions.org

What is Covenant Theology? | GotQuestions.org

What is biblical theology? | GotQuestions.org

Unfolding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unfolding (2 Occurrences)

Psalms 119:130
The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 5:12
Because a most special spirit, and knowledge and reason and the power of reading dreams and unfolding dark sayings and answering hard questions, were seen to be in him, even in Daniel (named Belteshazzar by the king): now let Daniel be sent for, and he will make clear the sense of the writing.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Unfolding

Related Terms

Unfolding (2 Occurrences)

Unforgiving (2 Occurrences)

Preached (75 Occurrences)

Unfoldeth
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