Admonitions
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Admonitions in the Bible refer to the act of offering counsel, warning, or correction, often with the intent of guiding someone back to a righteous path. The concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a life aligned with God's commandments and wisdom. Admonitions are seen as expressions of love and concern, aiming to foster spiritual growth and moral integrity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, admonitions are frequently associated with the wisdom literature, where the wise are encouraged to heed instruction and correction. Proverbs 3:11-12 states, "My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not loathe His reproof; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights." This passage highlights the divine purpose behind admonitions, portraying them as acts of love and care from God, akin to a father's guidance to his child.

The prophets also played a significant role in delivering admonitions to the people of Israel. They were often tasked with calling the nation back to faithfulness and warning them of the consequences of their disobedience. For instance, in Ezekiel 3:18-19 , God instructs the prophet, "If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die for his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, admonitions are integral to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself admonished His followers to live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 18:15 , Jesus provides guidance on how to address a brother who sins: "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This instruction underscores the importance of addressing sin within the community with the goal of restoration.

The Apostle Paul frequently employed admonitions in his epistles to the early churches. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 , Paul writes, "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." Here, Paul emphasizes the communal responsibility of believers to guide one another in love and patience.

Paul's letters also reveal that admonitions are not only corrective but also preventive. In Colossians 3:16 , he exhorts the church, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." This passage highlights the role of Scripture and worship in shaping a community that is vigilant and proactive in maintaining spiritual health.

The Role of Admonitions in Christian Life

Admonitions are a vital aspect of Christian discipleship and community life. They serve as a means of mutual edification, helping believers to grow in holiness and avoid the pitfalls of sin. Hebrews 3:13 advises, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This daily practice of exhortation and admonition is intended to keep the heart sensitive to God's voice and responsive to His will.

In summary, admonitions in the Bible are a divine tool for correction, instruction, and encouragement. They are rooted in love and aimed at guiding believers toward a deeper relationship with God and a more faithful walk in His ways.
Strong's Hebrew
5715. eduth -- testimony
... Word Origin from ud Definition testimony NASB Word Usage admonitions (1), ordinance
(1), testimonies (13), testimony (43), warnings (1). testimony, witness. ...
/hebrew/5715.htm - 6k
Library

Final Admonitions.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. Final Admonitions. "And he said to me, These
words are faithful and true. And the Lord, the God of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/final admonitions.htm

Christ's Reprehension of the Pharisees Seeking a Sign his Censure ...
... Than Inward Holiness. Scripture Abounds with Admonitions of a Similar
Purport. Proofs of His Mission from the Creator. I prefer ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii christs reprehension of the.htm

Concerning his Father, a Freeman of Thagaste, the Assister of his ...
... Chapter III."Concerning His Father, a Freeman of Thagaste, the Assister of His Son's
Studies, and on the Admonitions of His Mother on the Preservation of ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii concerning his father a.htm

Imitation of Christ
... Title Page. THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. ... THE SECOND
BOOK. ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE. CHAPTER I Of the inward life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
... of my years, always engaged [2076] in fastings, and the extremity of poverty itself,
and the lowest circumstances; always by healthful admonitions applying the ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/a poem on the passion.htm

Whether it was Useful for Laws to be Framed by Men?
... that man be made good thereby, as stated above ([2024]Q[92], A[1]). But men are
more to be induced to be good willingly by means of admonitions, than against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was useful for.htm

After what Manner Upon the Death of Claudius, Nero Succeeded in ...
... Felix also bore an ill-will to Jonathan, the high priest, because he frequently
gave him admonitions about governing the Jewish affairs better than he did ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 after what manner.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
... Ruler? Now this is the sin which the Holy Ghost reproves, that man so greatly
and so often resists His divine will and admonitions. ...
/.../xvi sermon for the fourth.htm

Perseverance
... [1] The first objection of Arminians is, If a believer shall persevere in grace,
to what purpose are admonitions in Scripture, such as Let him take heed lest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

On the Power of the Church in Administering Justice, or on ...
... Admonitions are accommodated, First, to the persons who have sinned, in which must
be observed the difference of age, sex and condition, with all prudence and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lvii on the power.htm

Thesaurus
Admonitions (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Admonitions (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 9:34 neither
have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers ...
/a/admonitions.htm - 6k

Admonition (8 Occurrences)

/a/admonition.htm - 8k

Disregard (8 Occurrences)
... To pay no heed to; to omit to take notice of; to neglect to observe; to slight as
unworthy of regard or notice; as, to disregard the admonitions of conscience. ...
/d/disregard.htm - 9k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... It contains practically a recapitulation of the law already given by God at Mount
Sinai, together with many admonitions and injunctions as to the course of ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Adna (2 Occurrences)

/a/adna.htm - 7k

Surety (21 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 20:16 seems to contain an exclamation of contemptuous rebuke for the man
who goes security. Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 27:13 contain like admonitions. ...
/s/surety.htm - 18k

Holiness (76 Occurrences)
... It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness,
prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1 ...
/h/holiness.htm - 42k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... 16:17; in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul's language has the same meaning, and we see how
truly he had laid to heart the Saviour's earnest admonitions-"weak brethren ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... 16:17; in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul's language has the same meaning, and we see how
truly he had laid to heart the Saviour's earnest admonitions-"weak brethren ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Amulet
... We have reference to the custom of wearing amulets in Proverbs 6:21 where the reader
is urged to "bind them (ie the admonitions of father and mother). ...
/a/amulet.htm - 17k

Resources
What are the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs? | GotQuestions.org

I am a parent; how can I let go of my adult children? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ego? | GotQuestions.org

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