The term "fain" is an archaic English word that appears in some translations of the Bible, including older versions like the King James Version. It generally means "gladly," "willingly," or "eagerly." In the context of Scripture, it often conveys a sense of desire or willingness to do something, sometimes out of necessity or desperation.

Biblical Usage:

While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the word "fain," the concept is present in various passages where individuals express a strong desire or willingness to act. The term is often associated with a longing or eagerness that arises from a deep need or conviction.

Examples in Scripture:

1. Prodigal Son (Luke 15:16, KJV): In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the term "fain" is used to describe the son's desperate situation. "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him." This illustrates the son's eagerness and desperation to satisfy his hunger, highlighting his dire circumstances and the depth of his repentance.

2. Paul's Desire (Philippians 1:23, KJV): The Apostle Paul expresses a similar sentiment of eagerness in his letter to the Philippians. "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better." Although the word "fain" is not used here, the concept of a strong, willing desire is evident in Paul's longing to be with Christ.

Theological Implications:

The use of "fain" in biblical contexts often underscores the human condition of longing and need. It reflects the innate desire for fulfillment, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This longing can lead individuals to seek God and His provision, recognizing their dependence on Him.

In the account of the Prodigal Son, the son's willingness to eat the food of pigs signifies his recognition of his own poverty and need for his father's mercy. This mirrors the spiritual journey of repentance and the realization of one's need for God's grace.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the concept of being "fain" serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing our own spiritual needs and desires. It encourages a posture of humility and eagerness to seek God's will and provision in our lives. Just as the Prodigal Son returned to his father, believers are called to turn to God with a willing heart, eager to receive His grace and guidance.

In summary, while the word "fain" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, its underlying concept remains relevant. It speaks to the human experience of longing and the willingness to seek fulfillment in God, emphasizing the importance of humility and repentance in the Christian walk.1. (a.) Well-pleased; glad; apt; wont; fond; inclined.

2. (a.) Satisfied; contented; also, constrained.

3. (adv.) With joy; gladly.

4. (v. t. & i.) To be glad ; to wish or desire.

FAIN

fan (advb.): Occurs twice in English Versions of the Bible, in the sense of "gladly":

(1) in Job 27:22 as the rendering of barach, "to flee with haste" (from anything), "He would fain flee out of his hand," literally, as in in of the King James Version, "in fleeing he would flee";

(2) in Luke 15:16, as the translation of epithumeo, "to fix the mind or desire on," "He would fain have filled his belly with the husks which the swine did eat." the Revised Version (British and American) adds two instances:

(1) Luke 13:31, "Herod would fain kill thee";

(2) Acts 26:28, "Thou wouldest fain make me a Christian."

See ALMOST.

1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... covet, desire, lust after. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, ie Long for
(rightfully or otherwise) -- covet, desire, would fain, lust (after). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1937.htm - 8k1272. barach -- to go through, flee
... chase away; drive away, fain, flee away, put to flight, make haste, reach,
run away, shoot. A primitive root; to bolt, ie Figuratively ...
/hebrew/1272.htm - 6k

Fain Would My Thoughts Fly up to Thee,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CLXIII Fain would my thoughts fly up to
Thee,. Thy peace, sweet LORD, to find; But when I offer, still the world. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/clxiii fain would my thoughts.htm

Ein Neues Lied Wir Heben An. By Help of God I Fain Would Tell.
... By help of God I fain would tell. ... 1. By help of God I fain would tell A new and wondrous
story, And sing a marvel that befell To his great praise and glory. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/v ein neues lied wir.htm

The First Light which Shined in My Infancy in Its Primitive and ...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 7 The first Light which shined in my Infancy in its primitive
and innocent clarity was totally eclipsed insomuch that I was fain to learn all ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/7 the first light which.htm

It is Related that when Pilate Would Fain have Released Him all ...
... 22. It is related that when Pilate would fain have released Him all the people cried
out, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" This also the Prophet Jeremiah foretells ...
/.../22 it is related that.htm

What Then did Wretched I So Love in Thee...
... The cruelty of the great would fain be feared; but who is to be feared but God
alone, out of whose power what can be wrested or withdrawn? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi what then did.htm

The Rich Inquirer
... makes the difference between the Pharisee who thanks God that he is not as other
men, and this youth who has kept all the commandments, yet would fain be other ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 17-22 the rich inquirer.htm

Reason of Desiring to Die.
... Chapter VII."Reason of desiring to die. The prince of this world would fain
carry me away, and corrupt my disposition towards God. ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter vii reason of desiring to.htm

Appendix D.
... If, here and there, something like minuteness has been attempted [645] , it has
only been by way of sample of what one would fain have done,"of what one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
... was not to be poured. How many would fain have the precious ointment for
the sake of its perfume to themselves! No, only he who ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/thirtieth day the unction from.htm

'Strong Crying and Tears'
... feeling as to companionship. He leaves the other disciples at the entrance,
for He would fain be alone in His prayer. Then, a moment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/strong crying and tears.htm

Fain (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Satisfied; contented; also, constrained. 3. (adv.) With joy; gladly. 4.
(vt & i.) To be glad ; to wish or desire. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAIN...
/f/fain.htm - 9k

Failure (5 Occurrences)

/f/failure.htm - 8k

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)
... words. (KJV). Acts 26:28 And Agrippa 'said' unto Paul, With but little persuasion
thou wouldest fain make me a Christian. (ASV). Romans ...
/w/wouldest.htm - 26k

Retain (24 Occurrences)
... to have," margin "Greek, `did not approve,' " for the King James Version "did not
like to retain" (echo); and in Philemon 1:13, substitutes "fain have kept ...
/r/retain.htm - 15k

Persuade (20 Occurrences)
... almost thou persuadest me...." but this is impossible, and so the Revised Version
(British and American) rendered peitheis by "thou wouldest fain." To keep ...
/p/persuade.htm - 15k

Persuasion (2 Occurrences)
... almost thou persuadest me...." but this is impossible, and so the Revised Version
(British and American) rendered peitheis by "thou wouldest fain." To keep ...
/p/persuasion.htm - 9k

Almost (27 Occurrences)
... words is concerned; but their explanation of the sentence is also erroneous; for
the Greek cannot mean "With but little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me a ...
/a/almost.htm - 20k

Sparing (17 Occurrences)
... might be sparing. (YLT). Job 27:22 Yea, it hurleth at him, and spareth not;
he would fain flee from its power. (See NAS). Proverbs 13 ...
/s/sparing.htm - 11k

Spareth (9 Occurrences)
... earth my gall. (YLT). Job 27:22 For God'shall hurl at him, and not spare:
He would fain flee out of his hand. (See JPS). Proverbs 13 ...
/s/spareth.htm - 8k

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