The concept of "finish" in the Bible encompasses the completion, fulfillment, or bringing to an end of a task, purpose, or divine plan. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting God's sovereignty, the fulfillment of His promises, and the perseverance required of His people.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of finishing is often associated with the completion of construction projects or the fulfillment of God's commands. For instance, the construction of the Tabernacle is described in terms of completion. Exodus 40:33 states, "Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work." This completion signifies obedience to God's detailed instructions and the readiness for His presence to dwell among His people.

Similarly, the building of Solomon's Temple is marked by a sense of completion. In 1 Kings 6:14, it is recorded, "So Solomon built the temple and finished it." The completion of the Temple was a significant event, symbolizing the establishment of a central place of worship for Israel and the fulfillment of God's promise to David.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of finishing takes on a profound spiritual dimension, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. One of the most significant uses of the term is found in John 19:30, where Jesus, upon the cross, declares, "It is finished." This statement signifies the completion of His redemptive work, fulfilling the prophecies and the requirements of the Law, and providing salvation for humanity.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of finishing the race or course set before him. In 2 Timothy 4:7, he writes, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Here, finishing is associated with perseverance in faith and the fulfillment of one's divine calling, despite trials and challenges.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of finishing underscores God's faithfulness in bringing His plans to completion. Philippians 1:6 assures believers, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This promise provides comfort and encouragement, affirming that God is actively working in the lives of believers to bring about His purposes.

Moreover, the call to finish the race of faith emphasizes the importance of endurance and steadfastness. Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts believers to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." This passage highlights the necessity of focusing on Christ, who not only began the work of faith but will also bring it to completion.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical theme of finishing encourages believers to remain faithful and diligent in their spiritual walk. It calls for a commitment to complete the tasks and callings God has placed on their lives, trusting in His strength and guidance. The assurance that God finishes what He starts provides motivation to persevere, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In summary, the biblical concept of "finish" encompasses the completion of God's work, the fulfillment of His promises, and the call for believers to persevere in faith, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring all things to their intended end.1. (v. t.) To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end to; to make an end of; to terminate.

2. (v. t.) To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.

3. (v. i.) To come to an end; to terminate.

4. (v. i.) To end; to die.

5. (n.) That which finishes, puts an end to/ or perfects.

6. (n.) The joiner work and other finer work required for the completion of a building, especially of the interior. See Inside finish, and Outside finish.

7. (n.) The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like.

8. (n.) See Finishing coat, under Finishing.

9. (n.) The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or style of finishing; as, a rough, dead, or glossy finish given to cloth, stone, metal, etc.

10. (n.) Completion; -- opposed to start, or beginning.

FINISH

fin'-ish (kalah; teleo, with other Hebrew and Greek words): The proper sense of "finish" is to end or complete; so for "finish," "finished," in the King James Version, there is sometimes met with in the Revised Version (British and American) the change to "complete" (Luke 14:28 2 Corinthians 8:6), "accomplish" (John 4:34; John 5:36; John 17:4), "made an end of doing" (2 Chronicles 4:11; compare 2 Chronicles 24:14), etc. In James 1:15, for "sin, when it is finished," the Revised Version (British and American) reads "sin when it is full-grown," corresponding to "conceived" of the previous clause. On the other hand, the Revised Version (British and American) has frequently "finished" for other words, as "ended" (Genesis 2:2 Deuteronomy 31:30), "accomplished" (John 19:28), "filled up," "fulfilled" (Revelation 15:1, 8), etc. The grandest Scriptural example of the word is the cry upon the cross, "It is finished" (Tetelestai, John 19:30).

W. L. Walker

1615. ekteleo -- to complete fully
... 1615 (from 1537 , "wholly ," intensifying 5055 , "to complete, finish") --
properly, finish , ie completely, to the (come). ... finish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1615.htm - 7k

1274. dianuo -- to accomplish fully
... to accomplish fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dianuo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-an-oo'-o) Short Definition: I finish, complete Definition: I finish ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1274.htm - 6k

5055. teleo -- to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: teleo Phonetic Spelling: (tel-eh'-o) Short
Definition: I end, accomplish, pay Definition: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5055.htm - 8k

5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... Spelling: (tel-io'-o) Short Definition: I complete, accomplish, make perfect Definition:
(a) as a course, a race, or the like: I complete, finish (b) as of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5048.htm - 9k

2005. epiteleo -- to complete, accomplish
... Origin from epi and teleo Definition to complete, accomplish NASB Word Usage
accomplished (1), complete (1), completion (1), erect (1), finish (1), finished ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2005.htm - 7k

1822. exartizo -- to complete, to equip fully
... fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exartizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ar-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I completely furnish, equip, finish Definition: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1822.htm - 7k

5053. teleutao -- to complete, to come to an end, hence to die
... come to an end, hence to die. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: teleutao Phonetic
Spelling: (tel-yoo-tah'-o) Short Definition: I end, finish, die Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5053.htm - 7k

4931. sunteleo -- to complete, accomplish
... 4931 (from 4862 , "closely " and 5055 , "to complete, finish") -- properly, (),
reaching the desired -point (result, ). ... finish, fulfill, make. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4931.htm - 7k

658. apoteleo -- to bring to an end, complete
... finish. From apo and teleo; to complete entirely, ie Consummate -- finish. see
GREEK apo. see GREEK teleo. (apotelestheisa) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/658.htm - 6k

5051. teleiotes -- a completer, finisher
... Cognate: 5051 (a masculine noun) -- properly, a consummator, bringing a
process to its finish (used only in Heb 12:2). See 5056 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5051.htm - 7k

3319. yetsa -- to bring out, finish
... 3318, 3319. yetsa. 3320 . to bring out, finish. Transliteration: yetsa Phonetic
Spelling: (yets-aw') Short Definition: completed. ... finish. ...
/hebrew/3319.htm - 6k

2628. chasal -- to finish off, consume
... 2627, 2628. chasal. 2629 . to finish off, consume. Transliteration: chasal
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-sal') Short Definition: consume. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2628.htm - 5k

1214. batsa -- to cut off, break off, gain by violence
... gain by violence NASB Word Usage accomplished (1), break (1), break ranks (1),
completed (1), cut me off (1), cut off (1), cuts me off (1), finish (1), gains ...
/hebrew/1214.htm - 6k

3635. kelal -- to complete
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to kalal Definition to complete NASB Word Usage
finish (2), finished (4), finishing (1). finish, make set up. ...
/hebrew/3635.htm - 6k

7999. shalam -- to be complete or sound
... make amends, make an end, finish, full, give again, make good, repay again
A primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate ...
/hebrew/7999.htm - 6k

8000. shelem -- to be complete
... deliver, finish. (Aramaic) corresponding to shalam; to complete, to restore -- deliver,
finish. see HEBREW shalam. 7999b, 8000. shelem. 8001 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8000.htm - 6k

3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished ...
... 1), died (1), end (4), ended (3), ending (1), exhausted (2), exterminated (1), fail
(10), failed (1), fails (2), faints (1), feed (1), finish (6), finished (67 ...
/hebrew/3615.htm - 7k

3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold
... finish, forbid, keep back, refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed,.
A primitive root; to restrict, by act (hold back or in ...
/hebrew/3607.htm - 6k

6213. asah -- do, make
... of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly ...
/hebrew/6213.htm - 6k

8552. tamam -- to be complete or finished
... 2), completed (1), completely (3), consume (1), consumed (4), count (1), destroyed
(6), end (1), ended (3), fail (1), finally (1), finish (1), finished (7 ...
/hebrew/8552.htm - 6k

A High Finish. May 28.
... A High Finish. May 28. A high artistic finish is important for more reasons
than for the mere pleasure it gives. There is something ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /a high finish may 28.htm

That He Shall not be Allowed to Begin the Building of an Oratory ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XVII. That he shall not be allowed to begin
the building of an oratory, who has not the means wherewith to finish it. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvii that he shall.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... CHAPTER 8. How Vespasian Upon Hearing Of Some Commotions In Gall, Made
Haste To Finish The Jewish War. A Description Of. Jericho ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

How those are to be Admonished who do not Even Begin Good Things ...
... XXXIV. How those are to be admonished who do not even begin good things,
and those who do not finish them when begun. (Admonition ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiv how those are.htm

The Work is Taken up after a violent Interruption, which Has ...
... up my mind to build up in writing the tower of the Gospel; and I have therefore
sate down to count the cost, [4810] if I have sufficient to finish it, lest I ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 the work is taken.htm

"For Hereunto were Ye Called; Because Christ Also Suffered for You ...
... Henry Maxwell was trying to finish his Sunday morning sermon. ... He did not finish
his sentence but he went downstairs and opened the front door. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter one for hereunto were.htm

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... THE TEMPLE. 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this
house; his hands shall also finish it.'"Zechariah 4:9. I ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

of the Woman driven into the Wilderness.
... Witnesses. The times of the beast and of the prophecy of the witnesses being
also equal, finish together at the end of the sixth trumpet. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism i of the.htm

The Cardinal Point of the Synchronisms; Or, the Synchronism
... For since the 1260 days of the witnesses' mourning in sackcloth finish at the end
of the sixth trumpet, or the beginning of the seventh, there also must the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/i the cardinal point of.htm

The Faithful Missionary.
... "Yes," he said, "I was making a plea for India, and I didn't quite finish my speech,
did I?" After being told that he did not, he said, "Take me back and let ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/the faithful missionary.htm

Finish (35 Occurrences)
... See Inside finish, and Outside finish. ... 10. (n.) Completion; -- opposed to start,
or beginning. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FINISH. ...
/f/finish.htm - 20k

End (3706 Occurrences)
... a Brussels carpet. 7. (vt) To bring to an end or conclusion; to finish;
to close; to terminate; as, to end a speech. 8. (vt) To ...
/e/end.htm - 17k

Dispatch (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute
quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform. ...
/d/dispatch.htm - 9k

Course (87 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:7); "as John fulfilled (the Revised Version (British and American)
"was fulfilling") his course" (Acts 13:25); "that I might finish (the Revised ...
/c/course.htm - 38k

Issued (40 Occurrences)
... governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus
to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? ...
/i/issued.htm - 18k

Fine (184 Occurrences)
... See Fine, n., 3 (b). 21. (vt) To finish; to cease; or to cause to cease. Int. ... FINE.
fin (adj., from Latin finire, "to finish"): Indicates superior quality. ...
/f/fine.htm - 47k

Rebuild (36 Occurrences)
... governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus
to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? ...
/r/rebuild.htm - 16k

Decree (82 Occurrences)
... governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and said thus
to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? ...
/d/decree.htm - 34k

Spoiler (11 Occurrences)
... and they dealt not treacherously with thee, When thou dost finish, O spoiler, thou
art spoiled, When thou dost finish dealing treacherously, They deal ...
/s/spoiler.htm - 11k

Structure (19 Occurrences)
... beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto
them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? ...
/s/structure.htm - 12k

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