The term "amend" in the context of the Bible generally refers to the act of making changes for the better, particularly in one's behavior, actions, or spiritual state. It is closely associated with the concepts of repentance, correction, and improvement in accordance with God's will.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Repentance and Moral Improvement: The idea of amending one's ways is often linked to repentance, a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the prophetic literature, the call to amend one's ways is a frequent exhortation from God through His prophets to the people of Israel. For example, in Jeremiah 7:3 , the Lord commands, "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you live in this place." Here, the call to amend is a call to return to righteous living and obedience to God's commandments.

2. Covenant Faithfulness: Amending one's ways is also tied to the concept of covenant faithfulness. The Israelites were often reminded to amend their ways to align with the covenant established between them and God. This amendment was not merely external but required a heartfelt return to God, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 26:13 : "Now therefore, correct your ways and deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, so that He may relent of the disaster He has pronounced against you."

3. New Testament Perspective: In the New Testament, the call to amend is encapsulated in the message of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, who both preached repentance as a necessary step toward entering the Kingdom of God. While the specific term "amend" is not frequently used, the concept is inherent in the call to repentance and transformation. For instance, in Matthew 3:2 , John the Baptist declares, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

4. Personal and Communal Transformation: The call to amend is not only personal but also communal. The Bible often addresses communities, urging them to collectively turn from their sinful ways and seek God's forgiveness and guidance. This communal aspect is evident in the messages to the churches in Revelation, where they are called to repent and amend their practices to align with Christ's teachings.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of amending one's ways underscores the necessity of aligning one's life with God's standards. It reflects the transformative power of God's grace, which enables believers to change and grow in holiness. The call to amend is a reminder of human fallibility and the constant need for divine guidance and correction.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to amend one's ways is a continual process of self-examination and spiritual growth. It involves recognizing areas of sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and making conscious efforts to live according to His will. This process is supported by prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the life of the church community.

In summary, the biblical concept of "amend" is deeply rooted in the call to repentance and transformation, urging individuals and communities to align their lives with the divine will as revealed in Scripture.1. (v. t.) To change or modify in any way for the better

2. (v. t.) by simply removing what is erroneous, corrupt, superfluous, faulty, and the like;

3. (v. t.) by supplying deficiencies;

4. (v. t.) by substituting something else in the place of what is removed; to rectify.

5. (v. i.) To grow better by rectifying something wrong in manners or morals; to improve.

341. anakainoo -- to make new
... to make new. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anakainoo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ak-ahee-no'-o) Short Definition: I renew, amend, change Definition: I renew ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/341.htm - 7k

2192. echo -- to have, hold
... direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition) --
be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2192.htm - 11k

2866. kompsoteron -- well-dressed
... better. Neuter comparative of a derivative of the base of komizo (meaning, properly,
well dressed, ie Nice); figuratively, convalescent -- + began to amend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2866.htm - 6k

3190. yatab -- to be good, well, glad, or pleasing
... root Definition to be good, well, glad, or pleasing NASB Word Usage adorned (1),
amend (3), better (3), better he made (1), bless (1), celebrating* (1), deals ...
/hebrew/3190.htm - 7k

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... aid, amend, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain,. A primitive root;
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

The Seventh Chapter: the Examination of Conscience and the ...
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Seventh Chapter: The Examination
of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend. The Voice of Christ ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the seventh chapter the examination.htm

Capital Punishment
... And this want of faith in a living God lies at the bottom of another objection.
We are to keep murderers alive in order to convert and instruct and amend them. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vi capital punishment.htm

Matt. xxiii. 1-3.
... To amend therefore His hearers; that which in the first place most contributes to
salvation, not to despise our teachers, neither to rise up against our priests ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxii matt xxiii 1-3.htm

Receiving and Rejecting.
... Now, as long as there is evil in the Church, as long as there are sinners who will
not amend, as long as there are tares growing up with the wheat,"so long ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xl receiving and rejecting.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... Yes, I think, and much more too. Therefore I say, repent, O London; repent, repent.
Thou hearest thy faults told thee, amend them, amend them. ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Psalm CXLI.
... 7. "The righteous One shall amend me in mercy, and convict me" (ver.5). Behold
the sinner confessing. ... Wherefore then doth He amend? "In mercy. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxli.htm

The Period of Controversy, 1614-1645.
... The first mention of any desire to modify or amend this book occurs in 1601, in
the records of the General Assembly, when a motion was made respecting an ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter v the period of.htm

Triumph of Faith.
... son liveth. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And ...
son lived. He asked at what hour he began to amend. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/xi triumph of faith.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... IN order to his Acceptance, it is required not only that he forsake his own Sins,
and amend his Life in other Instances; but likewise that He entirely forgive ...
/.../sermon v luke x the.htm

Chapter xix.
... parties especially judge rashly respecting things that are uncertain, and readily
find fault, who love rather to censure and to condemn than to amend and to ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xix 2.htm

Amend (7 Occurrences)
... improve. Multi-Version Concordance Amend (7 Occurrences). John 4:52 Then
enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And ...
/a/amend.htm - 9k

Reform (28 Occurrences)
... into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or
bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better; to amend; to correct ...
/r/reform.htm - 16k

Actions (62 Occurrences)
... saying, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device
against you: return you now everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and ...
/a/actions.htm - 24k

Doings (111 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:3 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, Amend your ways
and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. ...
/d/doings.htm - 36k

Amends (6 Occurrences)

/a/amends.htm - 8k

Justly (22 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:5 Nay, but if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye
thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbour; (See NIV). ...
/j/justly.htm - 12k

Throughly (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Jeremiah 7:5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye
throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; (KJV). ...
/t/throughly.htm - 9k

Relent (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 26:13 Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice
of Yahweh your God; and Yahweh will repent him of the evil that he has ...
/r/relent.htm - 11k

Enquired (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV). John 4:52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they
said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. (KJV). ...
/e/enquired.htm - 10k

Mend (7 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 4:52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they
said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ...
/m/mend.htm - 9k

Is repentance a change of mind or a turning from sin? | GotQuestions.org

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Amend: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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