The term "deserveth" is an archaic form of the word "deserves," which appears in older translations of the Bible. It is used to denote what is due or merited by an individual based on their actions or character. In the context of Scripture, the concept of deserving is often tied to divine justice, righteousness, and the moral order established by God.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, the idea of what one "deserveth" is frequently linked to the principles of justice and retribution. The Scriptures emphasize that God is a just judge who rewards righteousness and punishes wickedness. This is evident in passages that discuss the consequences of sin and the rewards of obedience.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament often reflects the principle of retributive justice, where individuals receive what they deserve based on their actions. For example, in Deuteronomy 25:2, the law prescribes that a guilty person should receive a punishment that fits their crime: "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of lashes his crime deserves."

The Psalms and Proverbs also echo this theme, highlighting that the wicked will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. Proverbs 24:12 states, "If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not He who weighs the heart consider it? Does not He who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?"

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of deserving is often related to the final judgment and the eternal destinies of individuals. Jesus speaks of the righteous and the wicked receiving their due rewards in passages such as Matthew 25:46, where He describes the separation of the sheep and the goats: "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

The Apostle Paul also addresses the idea of deserving in his epistles. In Romans 6:23, he contrasts the wages of sin with the gift of God: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here, the "wages" or what one "deserveth" for sin is death, underscoring the seriousness of sin and the justice of God.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of what one "deserveth" underscores the holiness and justice of God. It highlights the reality that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and thus, what humanity truly deserves is separation from God. However, the message of the Gospel is that through Jesus Christ, believers receive grace and mercy instead of what they deserve. This is a central tenet of Christian faith, emphasizing salvation as a gift rather than a reward for human merit.

Practical Application

Understanding the biblical concept of deserving can lead believers to a deeper appreciation of God's grace and mercy. It encourages humility, recognizing that all good things come from God and are not earned by human effort. It also inspires a life of gratitude and obedience, as believers seek to live in a manner worthy of the calling they have received (Ephesians 4:1).

In summary, the term "deserveth" in the biblical context serves as a reminder of God's justice and the profound grace offered through Jesus Christ. It calls believers to live righteously, acknowledging that while they may not deserve God's love, they are recipients of His boundless grace.

Of the Exaltation of a Free Spirit, which Humble Prayer More ...
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XXVI Of the exaltation of a free spirit,
which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxvi of the exaltation.htm

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind ...
... As we are less than the least of God's mercies, and all our goodness deserveth none
of them, so is the least sin greater than the greatest of all his judgments ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii and we all.htm

His Name --Wonderful!
... morning, keep to the old version, and simply read it thus, "His name shall be called
Wonderful." And first I shall notice that Jesus Christ deserveth to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namewonderful.htm

The Barley Field on Fire
... We give to God pence, when he deserveth pounds; nay, deserveth our heart's blood
to be coined in the service of his church and of his truth. Oh! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the barley field on fire.htm

Luke xxiii. 42, 43
... And therefore, this past of the Evangelical History deserveth our particular
Consideration: that We may judge truly what is to be concluded from it: and avoid ...
/.../sermon xvi luke xxiii 42.htm

"Each Brotherly Compassion that Man Hath on his Fellow Christians ...
... And if we see soothly that our sin deserveth it, yet His love excuseth us, and of
His great courtesy He doeth away all our blame, and beholdeth us with ruth ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xxviii each brotherly compassion.htm

"I Beheld the Property of Mercy, and I Beheld the Property of ...
... And grace worketh: raising, rewarding, endlessly overpassing that which our longing
and our travail deserveth, spreading abroad and shewing the high plenteous ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlviii i beheld the.htm

Imitation of Christ
... profit consist. CHAPTER XXVI Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble
prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading. CHAPTER ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

What Doth Every Sin Deserve?
... Question 84: What doth every sin deserve? A84: Every sin deserveth God's wrath
and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster shorter catechism/question 84 0 0 what doth every.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity. How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions? ...
... Who loveth Jesus but in part,. he works himself much pain and strife,. And gains
what he deserveth well,. Here conflict, and hereafter hell. Press on! ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/ninth sunday after trinity how.htm

Deserveth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deserveth (3 Occurrences). ... Know therefore that God exacteth
of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/d/deserveth.htm - 7k

Deserves (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said
to Nathan: 'As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this deserveth to die ...
/d/deserves.htm - 13k

Deserving (19 Occurrences)

/d/deserving.htm - 12k

Forgotten (69 Occurrences)
... manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity
deserveth. (See NIV). Job 19:14 My relatives have gone away. ...
/f/forgotten.htm - 28k

Forgets (8 Occurrences)
... that sound wisdom is manifold! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less
than thine iniquity deserveth. (See NAS). Job 24:20 The ...
/f/forgets.htm - 8k

Exacteth (3 Occurrences)
... to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine
iniquity deserveth. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Psalms 89:22 An ...
/e/exacteth.htm - 7k

Manifold (23 Occurrences)
... For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of
thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (ASV JPS RSV). ...
/m/manifold.htm - 15k

Double (49 Occurrences)
... Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (KJV
DBY WBS). Job 41:13 Who can discover the face of his garment? ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)
... wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth
of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (ASV RSV). ...
/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus