Costliness, in a biblical context, often refers to the value or worth of an object, person, or action, particularly in terms of material wealth or spiritual significance. The Bible addresses the concept of costliness in various ways, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of wealth and value.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, costliness is frequently associated with the wealth and splendor of kings and the temple. For instance, King Solomon's reign is marked by extraordinary wealth and opulence. The construction of the Temple in Jerusalem is described with great detail, emphasizing the use of costly materials. In 1 Kings 6:21-22 , it is noted, "So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. So he overlaid the whole interior with gold."

The prophets, however, often warned against the dangers of relying on material wealth. Isaiah 2:7-8 states, "Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made." Here, costliness is linked to idolatry and misplaced trust.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the issue of wealth and its spiritual implications. In Matthew 6:19-21 , Jesus teaches, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This passage underscores the transient nature of earthly wealth and the eternal value of spiritual riches.

The parable of the Pearl of Great Price in Matthew 13:45-46 illustrates the supreme value of the Kingdom of Heaven: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it." Here, costliness is portrayed positively, as the merchant recognizes the incomparable worth of the kingdom.

Spiritual Costliness

The concept of costliness also extends to the spiritual realm, particularly in the context of sacrifice and redemption. The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:18-19 , "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." The costliness of Christ's sacrifice is emphasized as the ultimate price paid for humanity's redemption.

Practical Implications

The Bible encourages believers to evaluate the costliness of their actions and priorities. In Luke 14:28-30 , Jesus advises, "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’" This teaching highlights the importance of foresight and commitment in discipleship.

Overall, the biblical perspective on costliness challenges believers to discern true value, prioritize spiritual wealth, and recognize the profound worth of Christ's sacrifice.(n.) The quality of being costly; expensiveness; sumptuousness.COSTLINESS

kost'-li-nes (timiotes, "preciousness," "an abundance of costly things"): Found only in Revelation 18:19, "made rich by reason of her costliness."

5094. timiotes -- preciousness, worth
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: timiotes Phonetic Spelling:
(tim-ee-ot'-ace) Short Definition: preciousness, costliness Definition: preciousness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5094.htm - 7k3366. yeqar -- preciousness, price, honor
... honor, precious things, price. From yaqar; value, ie (concretely) wealth; abstractly,
costliness, dignity -- honour, precious (things), price. see HEBREW yaqar. ...
/hebrew/3366.htm - 6k

The Costliness of Prayer
... PART III. SOME ASPECTS OF THE WAY OF PRAYER XVI. THE COSTLINESS OF PRAYER.
"Lord, teach us to pray.""Luke 11:1. "And ye shall seek ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvi the costliness of prayer.htm

Tertullian Refers Again to the Question of the Origin of all These ...
... means of the sinful angels, who were the revealers withal of the material substances
themselves, joined with their rarity, excited their costliness, and hence ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter x tertullian refers again to.htm

On the Road
... He was dressed as became a noble of the time, and in apparel of unusual splendor
and costliness; plumed bonnet, slashed velvet doublet, tight silken hose ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter i on the road.htm

Uncorrupt Preservation of the Gospel Narratives.
... From about the eleventh century, paper made from cotton or linen came into common
use. The costliness of writing materials gave rise to a peculiar usage. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iii uncorrupt preservation of.htm

Matt. vi. 28, 29
... His words. Hereby He teaches us not only to take no thought, but not even
to be dazzled at the costliness of men's apparel. Why, such ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxii matt vi 28.htm

Letter ii.
... For delicacy of food was disregarded, and costliness of raiment was despised, all
manner of parade was put down, and all the zeal for the wisdom of this world ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter ii.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book vi.
... elegance of movement, an affected gait and lisping voice, pencilled eyebrows and
enamelled cheeks, elaborate braiding and dyeing of hair, costliness of dress ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 6.htm

The Jews Fight a Great Battle with Sabinus's Soldiers, and a Great ...
... sorely afflicted by both these circumstances, they set fire to the cloisters, which
were works to be admired, both on account of their magnitude and costliness ...
/.../chapter 3 the jews fight.htm

Hebrews ix. 24-26
... of the Lord, The temple of the Lord." ( Jeremiah 7:4.) For nowhere else in the earth
was such a temple constructed as this, either for costliness, or beauty ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xvii hebrews ix 24-26.htm

Cost of Discipleship must be Counted.
... The costliness of discipleship is illustrated in the two brief parables which follow.]
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xci cost of discipleship must.htm

Costliness (1 Occurrence)
...COSTLINESS. kost'-li-nes (timiotes, "preciousness," "an abundance of costly things"):
Found only in Revelation 18:19, "made rich by reason of her costliness.". ...
/c/costliness.htm - 7k

Costly (26 Occurrences)

/c/costly.htm - 14k

Grieving (12 Occurrences)
... upon their heads, and cried, weeping and grieving, saying, Woe, woe, the great city,
in which all that had ships in the sea were enriched through her costliness...
/g/grieving.htm - 10k

Wailing (44 Occurrences)
... heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein
were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! ...
/w/wailing.htm - 19k

Enriched (13 Occurrences)
... upon their heads, and cried, weeping and grieving, saying, Woe, woe, the great city,
in which all that had ships in the sea were enriched through her costliness...
/e/enriched.htm - 10k

Preciousness (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being precious; costliness;
dearness. Multi-Version Concordance Preciousness (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/preciousness.htm - 7k

Costless (1 Occurrence)

/c/costless.htm - 6k

Spikenard (4 Occurrences)
... It grows in the Himalayas. The extracted perfume is an oil, which was used by the
Romans for anointing the head. Its great costliness is mentioned by Pliny. ...
/s/spikenard.htm - 10k

Alas (62 Occurrences)
... heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein
were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! ...
/a/alas.htm - 25k

Grew (133 Occurrences)
... city! in which were made rich all having ships in the sea, out of her
costliness -- for in one hour was she made waste. (See RSV). ...
/g/grew.htm - 34k

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