Definition and Concept:
Amends, in a biblical context, refers to the act of making restitution or compensation for a wrong or injury. It involves acknowledging one's wrongdoing, seeking forgiveness, and taking steps to rectify the harm caused. This concept is deeply rooted in the principles of justice, repentance, and reconciliation as outlined in the Scriptures.

Biblical Basis:
The idea of making amends is woven throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of restoring relationships and maintaining justice. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses provides specific guidelines for restitution. For instance, in the book of Leviticus, it is stated: "He must make restitution for what he has failed to do in regard to the holy things, adding a fifth of the value to it and giving it all to the priest" (Leviticus 5:16). This underscores the necessity of compensating for wrongs, particularly in matters concerning the sacred.

In the New Testament, the concept of amends is closely linked to repentance and forgiveness. Jesus' teachings highlight the importance of reconciliation with others. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs: "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). This passage emphasizes the priority of mending relationships over religious rituals.

Examples in Scripture:
One of the most notable examples of making amends is found in the account of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Upon encountering Jesus, Zacchaeus declares: "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold" (Luke 19:8). His willingness to restore what he had wrongfully taken exemplifies genuine repentance and the desire to make things right.

Another example is found in the account of Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a Christian under the apostle Paul's ministry. In the letter to Philemon, Paul appeals for Onesimus, urging Philemon to receive him not as a slave but as a beloved brother. Paul even offers to make amends on Onesimus's behalf, saying, "If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me" (Philemon 1:18).

Theological Significance:
Making amends is an essential aspect of Christian ethics, reflecting the character of God, who is just and merciful. It is a tangible expression of repentance, demonstrating a transformed heart and a commitment to live according to God's standards. The process of making amends fosters healing and reconciliation, both with God and with others, and is a testament to the power of grace and forgiveness.

Practical Application:
Believers are called to examine their lives and relationships, seeking to make amends where necessary. This involves confessing sins, seeking forgiveness, and taking practical steps to restore what has been lost or damaged. The act of making amends is not only a duty but also a privilege, as it allows Christians to reflect the love and justice of Christ in their interactions with others.(n. sing. & pl.) Compensation for a loss or injury; recompense; reparation.7999. shalam -- to be complete or sound
... 7998, 7999. shalam. 7999a . to be complete or sound. Transliteration: shalam
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lam') Short Definition: amends. ...
/hebrew/7999.htm - 6k

7521. ratsah -- to be pleased with, accept favorably
... enjoyed (1), favor (2), favorable (1), favored (2), favors (1), find pleasure (1),
fulfills (1), make (1), make himself acceptable (1), make amends (1), making ...
/hebrew/7521.htm - 6k

Internal Exercises Weaken the Body, yet Oft Prolong Life. ...
... quenching those spirits and draining those humours which are superfluous and afford
matter of temptations; yet, on the other side, it makes amends, even to ...
/.../chapter vi internal exercises weaken.htm

Of Vocal Prayer. ...
... by daily set exercises of internal prayer to procure an habitual constant state
of recollectedness, by such exercises repairing and making amends for the ...
/.../chapter ii of vocal prayer .htm

How it is That, if Our Brother Has any Grudge against Us, the ...
... does not accept our offerings if our brother has anything against us, ie, He does
not allow prayers to be offered by us to Him until by speedy amends we remove ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi how it is.htm

Whether a Religious Sins More Grievously than a Secular by the ...
... iv in Ps.36): "The wicked man, if he sin, repents not, and fails to make
amends for his sin. But the just man knows how to make ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a religious sins more.htm

Each Side Claims to Possess the True Gospel Antiquity the ...
... So that, whilst he amends, he only confirms both positions: both that our Gospel
is the prior one, for he amends that which he has previously fallen in with ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iv each side claims to.htm

Of Sacrifice, and of an Offering Worthy of God, and of the Form of ...
... of expressing it in word to one who knows what we wish; if anything good shall happen
to him, let him give thanks; if any evil, let him make amends, [1276] and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of sacrifice and of.htm

The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ...
... an afterwards,)"and being conscious of having done at least one grave injury to
an innocent person, I have taken the best and quickest way to make full amends ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xv the cardinal was seated.htm

Canaan
... Pie upon my clumsy gallantries! I must make amends. I would not have her hate me.". ...
It lay with him, one of the race of offenders, to make amends. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xii canaan.htm

Baptism unto Repentance
... We must write the letter, or speak the word; we must make honourable reparation
and amends; we must not be behind the sinners under the old law, who were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/vi baptism unto repentance.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... Were he from this moment to perform the most perfect obedience to every command
of God, this would make no amends for a single sin, for any one act of past ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 21 upon our lords.htm

Amends (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. sing. & pl.) Compensation for a loss or injury;
recompense; reparation. Multi-Version Concordance Amends (6 Occurrences). ...
/a/amends.htm - 8k

Redress (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To dress again. 3. (vt) To set right, as a wrong; to repair, as
an injury; to make amends for; to remedy; to relieve from. ...
/r/redress.htm - 8k

Compensate (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To be equivalent in value or effect to; to counterbalance; to make
up for; to make amends for. 3. (vi) To make amends; to ...
/c/compensate.htm - 8k

Atone (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To make amends; as to atone for a mistake. 2. (vi) To stand as an equivalent;
to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime. ...
/a/atone.htm - 9k

Amend (7 Occurrences)

/a/amend.htm - 9k

Goodwill (5 Occurrences)
... evil, it shall come unto him. (See NIV). Proverbs 14:9 Amends pleadeth for
fools; but among the upright there is good will. (See NIV). ...
/g/goodwill.htm - 7k

Thereto (26 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:16 And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy
thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest ...
/t/thereto.htm - 14k

Repair (26 Occurrences)
... fortune. 6. (vt) To make amends for, as for an injury, by an equivalent;
to indemnify for; as, to repair a loss or damage. 7. (n ...
/r/repair.htm - 17k

Restore (122 Occurrences)
... who are variance. 4. (vt) To give in place of, or as satisfaction for.
5. (vt) To make good; to make amends for. 6. (vt) To bring ...
/r/restore.htm - 39k

Redeem (56 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To pay the penalty of; to make amends for; to serve as an equivalent or
offset for; to atone for; to compensate; as, to redeem an error. ...
/r/redeem.htm - 25k

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