The term "you-ward" is an archaic English expression found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). It is used to convey the direction or focus of an action or intention towards "you" or "yourselves." In modern translations, this term is often rendered simply as "toward you" or "to you." The Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "you-ward," but the concept is present in various passages where God's actions, intentions, or messages are directed towards His people.

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. Divine Favor and Grace:
The concept of "you-ward" is often associated with God's grace and favor directed towards His people. In Ephesians 1:19 , Paul speaks of "the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe," emphasizing the divine power and grace that God extends to believers. This reflects the idea of God's intentional and directed favor towards His chosen ones.

2. God's Patience and Longsuffering:
In 2 Peter 3:9 , the apostle Peter writes, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Here, the patience of God is directed "you-ward," indicating His desire for all to come to repentance and salvation.

3. Apostolic Ministry and Care:
The apostolic ministry often reflects a "you-ward" focus, as the apostles directed their efforts and teachings towards the edification and growth of the early church. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 , Paul speaks of his conduct "in the world, and especially toward you," highlighting the intentional focus of his ministry on the Corinthian believers.

4. Intercessory Prayer:
The prayers of the apostles and early church leaders often had a "you-ward" direction, as they interceded on behalf of the believers. In Ephesians 3:14-16 , Paul writes, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being." This prayer reflects the apostle's deep concern and focus on the spiritual well-being of the recipients.

5. Covenantal Promises:
The promises of God throughout Scripture often have a "you-ward" aspect, as they are directed towards His covenant people. In Jeremiah 29:11 , God declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This promise is directed specifically towards the Israelites, reflecting God's intentional plans and purposes for them.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "you-ward" underscores the personal and relational nature of God's interactions with humanity. It highlights the directed and intentional focus of God's actions, promises, and grace towards His people. This reflects the biblical theme of a covenant relationship, where God actively engages with His people, guiding, blessing, and sustaining them according to His divine purposes. The "you-ward" focus in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's intimate involvement in the lives of believers and His unwavering commitment to their spiritual growth and salvation.5209. humas -- you
... of humeis, qv. you Accusative case of humeis; you (as the objective of a verb or
preposition) -- ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own). see GREEK humeis. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5209.htm - 5k

4314. pros -- advantageous for, at (denotes local proximity) ...
... between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain
to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4314.htm - 8k

2 Cor. xiii. 1
... such things punished not? Wherefore also he added,. Ver.3, 4. "Who to
you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though He was ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxix 2 cor xiii.htm

2 Cor. I. 12
... ["In the world. [489] "] So not in Corinth only, but also in every part of the world.
"And more abundantly to you-ward." What more abundantly to you-ward? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iii 2 cor i.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... Ver.23. "Whether any inquire about Titus; he is my partner and my fellow-worker
to youward.". What is, "Whether about Titus?" If,' says ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

Ephesians ii. 17-22
... partaker. Ver.2. "If so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that
grace of God, which was given me to you-ward.". He alludes ...
/.../homily vi ephesians ii 17-22.htm

2 Cor. xi. 1
... "Nay, in every thing we have made it manifest among all men to youward." For here
again he accuses the false Apostles as "walking in craftiness." (Chap. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 2 cor xi.htm

A Preface
... I being taken from you in presence, and so tied up that I cannot perform that duty,
that from God doth lie upon me to you-ward, for your farther edifying and ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a preface.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... yet considering that I am to you a debtor not only in common charity; but by reason
of special bonds which the Lord hath laid upon me to you-ward, I could do ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

But Why do I Complain that You have Disregarded the Insults ...
... [4253] Nor have they obtained this honour even at your hands, that you should repel
insults offered to them by the same laws by which you ward them off from ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/34 but why do i.htm

Human Characters Determined Only by Divine Decision.
... "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to
you ward; how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery"which in ...
/.../sermons on various important subjects/sermon xv human characters determined.htm

Sanctification.
... and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had
our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youward." This passage ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxviii sanctification.htm

You-ward (9 Occurrences)
You-ward. You've, You-ward. Yud-kay-vav-kay . Multi-Version
Concordance You-ward (9 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 1:12 ...
/y/you-ward.htm - 9k

Yud-kay-vav-kay (1 Occurrence)
Yud-kay-vav-kay. You-ward, Yud-kay-vav-kay. Zaanaim . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See JPS). You-ward, Yud-kay-vav-kay. Zaanaim . Reference Bible.
/y/yud-kay-vav-kay.htm - 6k

You've (3 Occurrences)
You've. Youths, You've. You-ward . Multi-Version Concordance You've (3
Occurrences). ... Youths, You've. You-ward . Reference Bible.
/y/you've.htm - 7k

Godly (50 Occurrences)
... in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of
God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward...
/g/godly.htm - 21k

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)
... that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of
God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (ASV). ...
/g/glorifying.htm - 12k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 1:8); "to thee-ward" (1 Samuel 19:4); "to us-ward" (Psalm 40:5
Ephesians 1:19 2 Peter 3:9 the King James Version); "to you-ward" (2 Corinthians ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Fellow-worker (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether 'any inquire' about Titus, 'he is' my partner and 'my'
fellow-worker to you-ward, or our brethren, 'they are' the messengers of the ...
/f/fellow-worker.htm - 7k

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)
... in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of
God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward...
/r/rejoicing.htm - 33k

Dispensation (8 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which
is given me to you-ward: (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Ephesians ...
/d/dispensation.htm - 11k

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