In biblical terms, the concept of "defer" often relates to the act of postponing or delaying an action or decision. This can be seen in various contexts throughout Scripture, where individuals or groups choose to delay a response or action, often for reasons of wisdom, prudence, or divine timing.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of deferring is sometimes associated with wisdom and patience. For example, in Proverbs 19:11 , it is written, "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense." Here, the act of deferring anger or immediate reaction is seen as a sign of understanding and virtue. The ability to delay one's response, especially in the face of provocation, is portrayed as a commendable trait.

The concept of deferring is also evident in the narratives of the patriarchs and prophets. For instance, in the account of Joseph, his brothers initially plan to kill him but defer their decision, ultimately selling him into slavery instead (Genesis 37:18-28). This delay, though born out of malice, becomes part of God's providential plan for Joseph and the future of Israel.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, deferring is often linked to the idea of waiting on God's timing. The early Christians are frequently encouraged to be patient and to wait for the Lord's return. James 5:7-8 exhorts believers, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the concept of deferring in terms of judgment and vengeance. In Romans 12:19 , he writes, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" Here, believers are instructed to defer personal retribution, trusting in God's ultimate justice.

Theological Implications

Theologically, deferring can be seen as an act of faith and trust in God's sovereignty. By choosing to delay action or judgment, believers demonstrate reliance on God's wisdom and timing rather than their own understanding. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of waiting on the Lord, as seen in passages like Isaiah 40:31 : "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical principle of deferring encourages believers to exercise patience and discernment in their daily lives. Whether in personal relationships, decision-making, or spiritual growth, the ability to defer immediate gratification or reaction can lead to more thoughtful and godly outcomes. It is a call to trust in God's perfect timing and to seek His guidance in all things.1. (v. t.) To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay; as, to defer payment of a fee the execution of; to delay; to withhold.

2. (v. i.) To put off; to delay to act; to wait.

3. (v. t.) To render or offer.

4. (v. t.) To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer; -- with to.

5. (v. i.) To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to authority; -- with to.

DEFER

de-fur' ('achar (in Hiphil), 'arakh (in Hiphil), mashakh (in Niphal), "to postpone," more or less definitely; "delay": In Old Testament passages such as Isaiah 48:9 Ezekiel 12:25, 28 Daniel 9:19, the idea of indefinite postponement agrees with the Hebrew and with the context. In the only New Testament occurrence of the word anaballo, in the middle voice, Acts 24:22) a definite postponement is implied.

306. anaballo -- to put off
... to put off. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaballo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ab-al'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I postpone, defer Definition: I postpone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/306.htm - 6k

3199. melo -- to be an object of care
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to be an object of care NASB Word Usage care
(2), cares (1), concerned (4), defer (2), worry (1). take care. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3199.htm - 7k

4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... continue, defer, extend. A primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety
of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong ...
/hebrew/4900.htm - 6k

309. achar -- to remain behind, tarry
... continue, defer, delay, hinder, be late slack, stay there, tarry longer.
A primitive root; to loiter (ie Be behind); by implication ...
/hebrew/309.htm - 6k

748. arak -- to be long
... defer, tarry long. A primitive root; to be (causative, make) long (literally
or figuratively) -- defer, draw out, lengthen, (be, become ...
/hebrew/748.htm - 6k

1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell
... root Definition to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell NASB Word Usage claim honor (1),
defer* (1), honor (1), majestic (1), partial (1), respected (1), rough ...
/hebrew/1921.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... before (868), before the in front (1), before* (137), condition (1), confront*
(1), corresponding* (2), countenance (12), covering* (1), defer* (1), defiance ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

That Holy Communion is not Lightly to be Omitted
... 4. What profiteth it to put off for long time the confession of thy sins,
or to defer Holy Communion? Cleanse thyself forthwith, spit ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x that holy communion.htm

Once More we Will Distinguish of Christians
... The one can defer their enjoyment of Wisdom till the World to come, and dispense
with the increase and perfection of knowledge for a little time: the other are ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/9 once more we will.htm

Appendix.
... Considera ubi es, reuerere haec sancta, defer Deo, defer seruo eius Malachiae, parce
et tibi ipsi." Non destitit ille, furiis agitatus iniquis.[1203] Et ecce ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/appendix.htm

The Tenth Chapter: do not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
... Yes, it is very hurtful to defer Holy Communion long, for it usually brings
on a lazy spiritual sleep. How sad that some dissolute ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the tenth chapter do not.htm

Epistle xvii. To Sabinianus, Bishop.
... And, when he was so perversely inclined as to defer doing so, we took care to admonish
him in repeated letters, under pain of interdiction from communion, to ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xvii to sabinianus bishop.htm

Whether Baptism Should be Deferred?
... On the contrary, It is written (Ecclus.5:8): "Delay not to be converted to the Lord,
and defer it not from day to day." But the perfect conversion to God is of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism should be deferred.htm

Whether one is Bound to Confess at Once?
... his mind to be baptized; and so he would not sin mortally, if he were not baptized
at once: nor is there any fixed time beyond which, if he defer Baptism, he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one is bound to.htm

How a Soul is to Behave Herself to Obtain Light in Doubtful Cases ...
... In such cases it is good to defer the resolution as long as well may be, to the
end that she may have the more space to consider of it with her natural reason ...
/.../chapter vii how a soul.htm

John Chapter v. 19
... according to the faith with which we are imbued; and what we have not yet been able
to understand, that we lay aside doubting, and defer the understanding of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xviii john chapter v.htm

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian.
... and wisely"to "redeem the time, because the days are evil." In other words: Think
not happy days are in store for you and you may defer duty till better times ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twentieth sunday after trinity the.htm

Defer (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay; as, to defer payment
of a fee the execution of; to delay; to withhold. ...DEFER. ...
/d/defer.htm - 9k

Delay (47 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to prolong the time of or before. ...
The meaning here is "to prolong," "to defer." AL Breslich. ...
/d/delay.htm - 21k

Defenses (8 Occurrences)

/d/defenses.htm - 8k

Vowest (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Ecclesiastes 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it;
for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. ...
/v/vowest.htm - 7k

Name's (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Isaiah 48:9 For my name's sake will I defer
my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for you, that I not cut you off. ...
/n/name's.htm - 15k

Wait (223 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; -- said of a meal; as, to wait
dinner. 7. (n.) The act of waiting; a delay; a halt. 8. (vi) Ambush. ...
/w/wait.htm - 41k

Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:14 When they had come, they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you are honest,
and don't defer to anyone; for you aren't partial to anyone, but truly ...
/i/integrity.htm - 22k

Taxes (19 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:14 When they had come, they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you are honest,
and don't defer to anyone; for you aren't partial to anyone, but truly ...
/t/taxes.htm - 14k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To stay; to abide; to continue; to lodge. 5. (vt) To delay; to defer; to
put off. 6. (vt) To wait for; to stay or stop for. 7. (n.) Stay; stop; delay. ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

Deference (3 Occurrences)

/d/deference.htm - 7k

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