Definition and Meaning:
The term "aspire" generally means to have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. In a biblical context, aspiring often involves seeking to attain spiritual goals, virtues, or positions that align with God's will and purpose.

Biblical Context:
Aspiration in the Bible is closely linked to the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, and the fulfillment of one's divine calling. It is not merely about personal ambition but is often directed towards spiritual growth and service to God and others.

Scriptural References:

1. Aspiration for Leadership and Service:
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, addresses the concept of aspiring to leadership within the church. In 1 Timothy 3:1 , Paul states, "This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task." Here, the aspiration is not for personal gain but for the noble responsibility of shepherding God's people.

2. Aspiration for Spiritual Gifts:
Believers are encouraged to aspire to spiritual gifts that build up the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:1 , Paul exhorts, "Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." This aspiration is directed towards edifying the body of Christ and serving others.

3. Aspiration for a Godly Life:
The Bible encourages believers to aspire to live a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. In Philippians 3:14 , Paul expresses his own aspiration: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." This reflects a deep desire to fulfill God's purpose and attain eternal rewards.

Theological Implications:
Aspiration, when aligned with God's will, is a positive and commendable pursuit. It involves setting one's heart and mind on things above (Colossians 3:2) and striving to grow in faith, love, and service. It is important that such aspirations are rooted in humility and a desire to glorify God rather than seeking personal glory or status.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their aspirations and ensure they are in line with biblical principles. This involves prayerfully seeking God's guidance, studying Scripture, and being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Aspiring to serve in the church, develop spiritual gifts, and live a godly life are all commendable goals that contribute to personal spiritual growth and the edification of the Christian community.

Warnings Against Misguided Aspiration:
The Bible also warns against selfish ambition and the pursuit of worldly desires. James 3:16 cautions, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." Believers are called to aspire to what is good and beneficial for the kingdom of God, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and self-centeredness.1. (v. t.) To eagerly to seek to attain something high or great; to pant; to long; -- followed by to or after, and rarely by at; as, to aspire to a crown; to aspire after immorality.

2. (v. t.) To rise; to ascend; to tower; to soar.

3. (v. t.) To aspire to; to long for; to try to reach; to mount to.

4. (n.) Aspiration.

3713. orego -- to stretch out, to reach after, to yearn for
... Spelling: (or-eg'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I stretch forth, long for Definition:
I stretch forth, mid: I hanker after, long for, am eager for, aspire to. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3713.htm - 7k

Commonly those Only are Said to Aspire to Perfection that ...
... THERETO. CHAPTER II. Commonly those only are said to aspire to perfection
that consecrate themselves to God.? Sec. 1. Commonly ...
/.../chapter ii commonly those only.htm

How the Desire to Praise God Makes us Aspire to Heaven.
... IN COMPLACENCY AND BENEVOLENCE. CHAPTER X. HOW THE DESIRE TO PRAISE GOD
MAKES US ASPIRE TO HEAVEN. The amorous soul, perceiving ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how the desire.htm

How Love is Practised in Hope.
... esperer et aspirer) there is but this difference, that we hope for those things
which we expect to get by another's assistance, and we aspire unto those things ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvi how love is.htm

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... divisions of this chapter,"I. The principal use of the cross is, that it in various
ways accustoms us to despise the present, and excites us to aspire to the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of meditating on.htm

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... divisions of this chapter,"I. The principal use of the cross is, that it in various
ways accustoms us to despise the present, and excites us to aspire to the ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iv of meditating on.htm

Conditions Required to Affective Prayer: of which the First Is...
... Sec. 9. How the neglect of actual prayer may be a mortal sin. Sec. 10. Our religious
profession and rule oblige us to aspire to uninterrupted prayer. Sec. Sec. ...
/.../chapter iv conditions required to.htm

Three Necessary "Rations"
... If we desire to be or do for selfish advantage, for glory and praise; if we aspire
to be leaders, as so many religious people do, only that they may have ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-three three necessary rations.htm

Degrees of Happiness in Heaven.
... For, how poor and ignorant soever we may now be, we may reasonably aspire to a very
high degree of glory, and to the exquisite delights which come from a more ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xiv degrees of happiness.htm

That Every Divine Illumination, Whilst Going Forth Lovingly to the ...
... the True, "which lighteth [154] every man coming into the world," "through [155]
Whom we have access to the Father," Source of Light, let us aspire, as far as ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput i that every divine.htm

Concerning Power, Justice, Preservation, Redemption, in which Also ...
... after good, they have received from the Power boundless in goodness; since It commits
to them the power to be, and to be such, and to aspire always to be, and ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput viii concerning power justice.htm

Aspire (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To eagerly to seek to attain something high or great; to pant; to long; --
followed by to or after, and rarely by at; as, to aspire to a crown; to ...
/a/aspire.htm - 7k

Man-pleaser (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Man-pleaser (1 Occurrence). Galatians 1:10 For is it man's
favour or God's that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? ...
/m/man-pleaser.htm - 6k

Bondservant (34 Occurrences)
... Christ's bondservant. (WEB ASV). Galatians 1:10 For is it man's favour or
God's that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If ...
/b/bondservant.htm - 16k

Bond-servant (14 Occurrences)
... of God, (See NAS). Galatians 1:10 For is it man's favour or God's that I
aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still ...
/b/bond-servant.htm - 10k

Affect (3 Occurrences)
... habitually. 5. (vt) To dispose or incline. 6. (vt) To aim at; to aspire;
to covet. 7. (vt) To tend to by affinity or disposition. ...
/a/affect.htm - 11k

Aspharasus

/a/aspharasus.htm - 6k

Aspired (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Aspire. Multi-Version Concordance
Aspired (2 Occurrences). Romans 15:20 yes, making it my ...
/a/aspired.htm - 7k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... Absalom was now probably the oldest surviving son of David, and as he was of royal
descent by his mother as well as by his father, he began to aspire to the ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Favour (171 Occurrences)
... your willing mind; (YLT). Galatians 1:10 For is it man's favour or God's
that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were ...
/f/favour.htm - 37k

Christ's (64 Occurrences)
... different gospel, (DBY). Galatians 1:10 For is it man's favour or God's
that I aspire to? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were ...
/c/christ's.htm - 24k

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