Definition and Usage:
The term "broaden" generally means to make wider or more extensive. In a biblical context, it can refer to the expansion of understanding, influence, or territory. The concept of broadening is often associated with growth, blessing, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Biblical References:

1. Territorial Expansion:
The idea of broadening is frequently seen in the context of God's promises to the patriarchs regarding the land. In Genesis 28:14, God promises Jacob, "Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south." This promise of expansion signifies God's blessing and the fulfillment of His covenant.

2. Spiritual Growth:
Broadening can also refer to the expansion of spiritual understanding and maturity. In Ephesians 3:17-18, Paul prays that believers "may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love." This prayer for comprehension suggests a broadening of spiritual insight and experience.

3. Influence and Impact:
The early church experienced a broadening of influence as the Gospel spread beyond Jewish communities to Gentile regions. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' command to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This directive indicates a broadening of the mission field and the reach of the Gospel.

4. Personal and Communal Growth:
In Proverbs 4:18, the path of the righteous is described as "the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday." This imagery of increasing light suggests a broadening of righteousness and understanding as one walks in God's ways.

Theological Implications:

· Covenantal Fulfillment:
The broadening of territory and influence is often tied to the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises. It reflects God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

· Spiritual Maturity:
Broadening in a spiritual sense involves growing in knowledge, wisdom, and love. It is a process of sanctification where believers are called to expand their understanding of God's will and character.

· Mission and Evangelism:
The broadening of the church's mission field underscores the universal scope of the Gospel. It highlights the call to reach all nations and peoples, reflecting God's desire for all to come to repentance.

Practical Application:

· Personal Growth:
Believers are encouraged to seek a broadening of their spiritual lives through prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church.

· Community Engagement:
Churches are called to broaden their outreach efforts, engaging with diverse communities and cultures to share the love and truth of Christ.

· Global Perspective:
Christians are reminded of the global nature of the church and the importance of supporting missions and evangelistic efforts worldwide.1. (v.) To grow broad; to become broader or wider.

2. (v. t.) To make broad or broader; to render more broad or comprehensive.

4115. platuno -- to make broad
... Word Origin from platus Definition to make broad NASB Word Usage broaden
(1), open wide (1), opened wide (1). make broad, enlarge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4115.htm - 6k7337. rachab -- to be or grow wide or large
... A primitive root; to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative) --
be an en-(make) large(-ing), make room, make (open) wide. 7336, 7337. ...
/hebrew/7337.htm - 6k

238. azan -- to give ear, listen
... A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen;
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), ie (by implication) to listen -- give ...
/hebrew/238.htm - 6k

The Basis for Community Service
... activities of the church would overshadow the "spiritual," had in mind a distinction
that must be met and understood if the church is to broaden its program ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter ii the basis for.htm

Adjusting the Local Church to the Community
... themselves to new demands, and in many cases prevent effective action on the part
of religious organizations that are ready in spirit to broaden their programs ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter vii adjusting the local.htm

Impressive Phrases
... brilliant, beautiful, elegant, and faithful. broaden, enlarge, extend, and
augment. business, profession, occupation, and vocation. C. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Eunomius Displays Much Folly and Fine Writing, but Very Little ...
... Our own interpreter of the principles of divinity followed this course in his Treatise;
for though he had plenty of ability to broaden out his argument, he ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 eunomius displays much.htm

School Life 365. O Thou Whose Feet have Climbed Life's Hill
... The call is thine: be thou the Way,. And give us men, to guide; Let wisdom broaden
with the day,. Let human faith abide. Who learn of thee, the truth shall find ...
/.../school life 365 o thou.htm

And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And ...
... marketplaces, and sitting in the highest places of the synagogues, and at feasts
in the highest parts of [34] the rooms: [2754] and they broaden their amulets ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xl and when jesus.htm

The Church in Theology and Literature.
... itself far beyond the boundaries of the comparatively small and uninfluential German
Reformed Church was to elevate the point of view and broaden the horizon ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxi the church in.htm

On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... well. What we dread about our neighbours, in short, is not the narrowness
of their horizon, but their superb tendency to broaden it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiv on certain modern writers.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... These particles of earth, however small they may be, as they fall and insinuate
themselves into all the pores of the seed, broaden its bulk and make it send ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

The Universality of Prayer
... The wants and woes of the entire race are to broaden and make tender our
sympathies, and inflame our petitions. No little man can pray. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/xii the universality of prayer.htm

Broaden (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To make broad or broader; to render more broad or comprehensive.
Multi-Version Concordance Broaden (1 Occurrence). Matthew ...
/b/broaden.htm - 6k

Broader (3 Occurrences)

/b/broader.htm - 7k

Broad (113 Occurrences)

/b/broad.htm - 40k

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