Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "attain" in the Bible often relates to the pursuit and achievement of spiritual goals, wisdom, and maturity in faith. It involves a process of striving, seeking, and ultimately reaching a desired state or condition that aligns with God's will and purpose for believers.Biblical Usage and Context 1. Spiritual Maturity and Perfection: The Apostle Paul frequently uses the idea of attaining in the context of spiritual growth and maturity. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, attaining is linked with the pursuit of spiritual perfection and the ultimate prize of eternal life with Christ. 2. Wisdom and Understanding: Attaining wisdom is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The pursuit of wisdom is seen as a noble and necessary endeavor for living a life that honors God. Attaining wisdom involves both the acquisition of knowledge and the application of that knowledge in a way that reflects God's character. 3. Righteousness and Holiness: Attaining righteousness is a key aspect of the believer's journey. In Romans 9:30-31, Paul contrasts the Gentiles, who attained righteousness by faith, with Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness but did not attain it because they sought it not by faith but as if it were by works. This highlights the importance of faith in attaining the righteousness that God desires. 4. Eternal Life: The ultimate attainment for believers is eternal life, which is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." Attaining eternal life is not based on human effort but on a relationship with God through Christ. Theological Implications The concept of attaining in the Bible underscores the dynamic nature of the Christian life. It involves active participation in the process of sanctification, where believers are called to grow in holiness and Christlikeness. This process is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to pursue and attain the spiritual goals set before them. Attaining is not merely about human effort; it is deeply rooted in God's grace and the believer's response to that grace. The tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is evident in the call to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" (Philippians 2:12-13). Practical Application Believers are encouraged to pursue spiritual goals with diligence and perseverance, trusting in God's provision and guidance. The pursuit of spiritual maturity, wisdom, righteousness, and ultimately eternal life requires a commitment to prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church. By seeking to attain these spiritual goals, believers align themselves with God's purposes and experience the fullness of life that He offers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.2. (v. t.) To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. 3. (v. t.) To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. 4. (v. t.) To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at. 5. (v. t.) To overtake. 6. (v. t.) To reach in excellence or degree; to equal. 7. (v. i.) To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach. 8. (v. i.) To come or arrive, by an effort of mind. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATTAINa-tan': The rendering of qanah = "buy," "get" (Proverbs 1:5); nasagh= "reach," "a meal-offering. according as he is able" (Ezekiel 46:7 margin), "not attained unto the days" (Genesis 47:9); yakhol or yakhowl ="be able," "overcome," "attain to innocency" (Hosea 8:5); bo' = "come," "follow" (2 Samuel 23:19, 23 1 Chronicles 11:21, 25); katantao="arrive at" (Acts 27:12 the King James Version; Philippians 3:11); katalambano ="take eagerly," "seize," "apprehend," "attained to righteousness" (Romans 9:30); phthano ="have arrived at" (Romans 9:31 the King James Version; Philippians 3:16); lambano -"take," "get a hold of," "catch," the Revised Version (British and American) "already obtained" (Philippians 3:12); parakoloutheo = "follow," "trace out," "conform to" (1 Timothy 4:6). Here the Revised Version (British and American) corrects the King James Version. Greek 2658. katantao -- to come down to, reach ... Word Origin from kata and antao (to come opposite, meet face to face) Definition to come down to, reach NASB Word Usage arrived (4), attain (3), came (3), come ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2658.htm - 7k 2013. epitugchano -- to light upon, ie to obtain 2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit 5348. phthano -- to come before (another), anticipate, arrive 5177. tugchano -- to hit, hit upon, meet, happen 2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize 3877. parakoloutheo -- to follow closely, to investigate 5143. trecho -- to run 2901. krataioo -- to strengthen 3152. mataios -- vain, useless Strong's Hebrew 8551. tamak -- to grasp, support, attain... 8550, 8551. tamak. 8552 . to grasp, support, attain. Transliteration: tamak Phonetic Spelling: (taw-mak') Short Definition: uphold. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/8551.htm - 6k 4672. matsa -- to attain to, find 5239. nalah -- perhaps to obtain, attain 4291. meta -- to reach, attain 935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go 7069. qanah -- to get, acquire 5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake 3201. yakol -- to be able, have power 6213a. asah -- do, make Library Whether Man Can Attain Happiness by his Natural Powers? How to Attain. July 21. Of the Way to Attain Divine Union Whether the Human Intellect Can Attain to the vision of God in his ... But, that we Might Attain an Ampler and More Authoritative ... The Fifty-First Chapter: when we Cannot Attain to the Highest, we ... A Question How we Can Attain to Forgetfulness of the Cares of this ... How we Can Attain Perfection in Each of These Sorts of ... Why Men do not Attain Quickly to the Perfect Love of God. Of Four ... That it is Impossible to Attain to the Father but by his Son Jesus ... Thesaurus Attain (30 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest. ...ATTAIN. ... /a/attain.htm - 17k Included (17 Occurrences) Renowned (15 Occurrences) Reach (63 Occurrences) Honorable (42 Occurrences) Attaining (3 Occurrences) Rise (417 Occurrences) Bodyguard (23 Occurrences) Catch (46 Occurrences) Hit (11 Occurrences) Resources What is Pure Land Buddhism / Amidism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Holiness movement / church? | GotQuestions.org Who was Charles Finney? | GotQuestions.org Attain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Attain (30 Occurrences)Luke 20:35 Acts 26:7 Acts 27:12 Romans 9:30 1 Corinthians 2:14 1 Corinthians 9:24 Galatians 3:3 Ephesians 3:19 Ephesians 4:13 Philippians 3:11 Colossians 2:2 Hebrews 11:40 James 4:2 Genesis 47:9 Leviticus 5:11 2 Samuel 23:19 2 Samuel 23:23 1 Chronicles 11:21 1 Chronicles 11:25 Job 5:12 Job 11:7 Psalms 139:6 Proverbs 1:5 Proverbs 2:19 Proverbs 11:16 Proverbs 11:19 Proverbs 29:23 Isaiah 51:11 Ezekiel 46:7 Hosea 8:5 Subtopics Related Terms |
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