The term "enfolds" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of enfolding, which implies wrapping, embracing, or encompassing, is present throughout the Scriptures. This idea is often associated with God's protective and nurturing nature, His encompassing love, and the security found in His presence.

Divine Protection and Care

The imagery of God enfolding His people is vividly portrayed in the Bible, emphasizing His role as a protector and caregiver. In Psalm 91:4, the psalmist writes, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." This verse illustrates the protective and comforting nature of God, likening Him to a bird that enfolds its young under its wings, providing safety and warmth.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 33:27, Moses declares, "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Here, the enfolding arms of God are depicted as a place of refuge and strength, offering support and security to His people.

God's Encompassing Love

The concept of being enfolded by God's love is a recurring theme in Scripture. In Romans 8:38-39, the Apostle Paul assures believers of the inseparable nature of God's love: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This passage highlights the all-encompassing and unbreakable bond of God's love, which enfolds believers in every circumstance.

The Embrace of the Shepherd

The image of a shepherd enfolding his sheep is another powerful biblical metaphor. In John 10:14-15, Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep." The shepherd's role is to guide, protect, and care for the sheep, ensuring their safety and well-being. This shepherd-sheep relationship reflects the intimate and protective nature of Christ's care for His followers.

Enfolding in Community

The concept of enfolding extends to the Christian community, where believers are called to embrace and support one another. In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul exhorts the church, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." This passage encourages believers to enfold one another in love and unity, reflecting the character of Christ in their relationships.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of enfolding encompasses God's protective care, His encompassing love, the nurturing role of Christ as the Good Shepherd, and the call for believers to embrace one another in love and unity. Through these images, Scripture reveals the depth of God's commitment to His people and the security found in His presence.

The Allies of the Tempter.
... Of course character constitutes the man, and, however this may be affected by
circumstances, it enfolds the consciousness of an original personality acting ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse vi the allies of.htm

The God of all Comfort
... Or is it an honest and genuine comfort, as we understand comfort, that
enfolds life's trials and pains in an all embracing peace? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 3 the god of.htm

Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria
... The same harmony enfolds the works of Athenagoras, [695] and thus affords a synopsis
of Christian teaching under the Antonines; in which precision of ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/introductory note to clement of.htm

The Preacher and the Enemy
... The spring of endless years. "For sorrow is the sorrow of an hour,. And is eternal
love; The dusky bud enfolds the glorious flower,. For God's delight above.". ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter lvii the preacher and.htm

Out of the Depths
... Of Heaven's eternal years. "For sorrow is the sorrow of an hour,. And is eternal
love; The dusky bud enfolds the glorious flower. For God's delight above.". ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/out of the depths.htm

The Grasp that Brings Peace
... 'The face of the Lord is against them that do evil.' If it were not, He would not
be God. But still, God's love enfolds all men in its close and tender clasp. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the grasp that brings peace.htm

Of the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Thabor
... And the Wisdom of God enfolds our bare vision and the simplicity of our spirit in
a wayless, simple fruition of all good without distinction; and here there ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xii of the transfiguration.htm

How we May Become Hidden Sons of God, and Attain to the God-Seeing ...
... we transcend ourselves, and become in our ascent towards God, so simple that the
naked love in the height can lay hold of us, where love enfolds love, above ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ix how we may.htm

Of a Divine Meeting which Takes Place in the Hiddenness of Our ...
... And He enfolds and drenches through both in action and fruition the Father and the
Son, and all that lives in Both, with such great riches and such joy that as ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iv of a divine.htm

Trinity an Evening Hymn.
... Perfect Light! Thou Three in One, whose never-slumbering might. Enfolds the world
within its sheltering wings,. And holds in being all created things! ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/trinity an evening hymn.htm

Enfolds (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enfolds (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 25:7 And in this
mountain he will put an end to the shade covering the face ...
/e/enfolds.htm - 6k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... four. 8. (v.) That which is folded together, or which enfolds or envelops;
embrace. 9. (n.) An enclosure for sheep; a sheep pen. 10. ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Enforce (1 Occurrence)

/e/enforce.htm - 7k

Enfolding (1 Occurrence)

/e/enfolding.htm - 6k

Heaven (653 Occurrences)
... The love of God enfolds within itself God's purpose for the world, to be realized
in time; and this progressive realization is the kingdom of God. ...
/h/heaven.htm - 72k

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... The love of God enfolds within itself God's purpose for the world, to be realized
in time; and this progressive realization is the kingdom of God. ...
/k/kingdom.htm - 101k

God (45911 Occurrences)

/g/god.htm - 101k

What are angelic humans? Is the idea of angelic humans biblical? | GotQuestions.org

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