The concept of "finishing" in the Bible encompasses the completion of tasks, fulfillment of prophecies, and the perfection of God's work. It is a theme that underscores the faithfulness and sovereignty of God, as well as the responsibility of believers to persevere in their faith and duties.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of finishing is often associated with the completion of construction projects, such as the building of the tabernacle and the temple. In Exodus 40:33, Moses "finished the work" of setting up the tabernacle, signifying the completion of a divinely ordained task. Similarly, in 1 Kings 6:14, Solomon "finished building the house" of the Lord, marking the culmination of a significant period of labor and devotion.

The concept also appears in the context of God's creation. In Genesis 2:1-2, "the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array," and God "finished His work" on the seventh day, resting from all He had made. This completion underscores the perfection and order inherent in God's creative acts.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of finishing is prominently featured in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In John 19:30, as Jesus hung on the cross, He declared, "It is finished." This statement signifies the completion of His redemptive work, fulfilling the prophecies and the requirements of the Law for the salvation of humanity.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of finishing the race and completing the task 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." This reflects the perseverance and dedication required of believers to fulfill their God-given missions.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of finishing is tied to the faithfulness of God in bringing His plans to completion. Philippians 1:6 assures believers 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's purposes will be accomplished in the lives of His people.

Moreover, the call to finish well is a recurring exhortation for Christians. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and focus on Christ as the ultimate example of finishing the work God has given.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the biblical theme of finishing challenges believers to be diligent and faithful in their daily tasks, whether in ministry, work, or personal growth. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This mindset ensures that all endeavors are approached with a sense of purpose and dedication, aiming to honor God in all things.

The concept of finishing also encourages believers to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, recognizing that He will bring His plans to fruition. This trust fosters patience and hope, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties, knowing that God's work is perfect and complete.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Finish.

2. (n.) The act or process of completing or perfecting; the final work upon or ornamentation of a thing.

3. (a.) Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for use.

5054. teleute -- a finishing, end, ie death
... a finishing, end, ie death. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: teleute
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-yoo-tay') Short Definition: end of life, death ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5054.htm - 6k

4874. sunanamignumi -- to mix up together, hence to associate with
... 4874 (from 4862 , "identified "; 303 , ", finishing a process"; and 3396 , "mix") --
properly, mix-closely-together to , "associate intimately with" (Souter). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4874.htm - 7k

5053. teleutao -- to complete, to come to an end, hence to die
... complete. Cognate: 5053 (from 5054 , "a finishing") -- properly, bring to
consummation (the end-goal). 5053 () focuses on reaching the . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5053.htm - 7k

535. apartismos -- completion
... completion. From a derivative of aparti; completion -- finishing. see GREEK aparti.
(apartismon) -- 1 Occurrence. 534, 535. apartismos. 536 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/535.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

After Finishing the Foregoing, and those Analogous Matters which ...
... Chapter XXXIV. After finishing the foregoing, and those analogous matters
which we ourselves have added? After finishing the foregoing ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxiv after finishing the.htm

An Objection of the Pelagians. The Apostle Paul was not Free from ...
... For his having no sin, which they suppose was completed when he spoke these words,
pertained to the finishing of his course; just in the same way as his ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 an objection of the.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... Circumcision is the finishing off of vices; in the apostle: you were circumcised
with a circumcision not done by hands in the finishing off of the flesh of the ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Early Battles
... When on our feet again, I started off at once and got through without any hitch
or word of dissent, finishing up most successfully. Praise God for this! ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/iv early battles.htm

The Sixth Word from the Cross
... Both the suffering of our Lord and His work were finishing together; and
it is natural to suppose that He was referring to both. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xix the sixth word.htm

On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... to be continued in our next." If we have sufficient intellect, we can finish a
philosophical and exact deduction, and be certain that we are finishing it right ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiv on certain modern writers.htm

The Mystery
... For the Lord Jesus, in like manner, when he was finishing his preaching, which lasted
about as many days as the prophecy of the witnesses, was killed by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

Of Miracles which were Wrought that the World Might Believe in ...
... the traces of their careful work, he acted the part of a good man, and persuaded
his patient to allow those same hands the satisfaction of finishing his cure ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of miracles which were.htm

The Preface
... Practice, as are most fit to be afterwards inculcated and press'd upon them, for
their successful carrying on of this Holy Warfare, and finishing their Course ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/the preface.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... The fertility of the earth is its perfect finishing; growth of all kinds of plants,
the up-springing of tall trees, both productive and unfruitful, flowers ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

Finishing (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Finishing (17 Occurrences). ... Romans 9:28 for the Lord will
execute 'his' word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short. ...
/f/finishing.htm - 12k

Finish (35 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) See Finishing coat, under Finishing. 9. (n.) The result of completed
labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or style ...
/f/finish.htm - 20k

Finisher (1 Occurrence)
... used in the trades, as in hatting, weaving, etc., for the workman who gives a finishing
touch to the work, or any part of it, and brings it to perfection. ...
/f/finisher.htm - 8k

Dispatch (5 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) Any sending away; dismissal; riddance. 9. (n.) The finishing up of a business;
speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste. ...
/d/dispatch.htm - 9k

Cutting (178 Occurrences)
... through" (Acts 5:33, "they were cut to the heart"); dichotomeo, "to cut in two"
(Matthew 24:51); suntemno, "to cut together" (Romans 9:28), "finishing it and ...
/c/cutting.htm - 46k

Finisheth (13 Occurrences)

/f/finisheth.htm - 9k

Finished (157 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:31 And it cometh to pass at his finishing speaking all these words, that
the ground which 'is' under them cleaveth, (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/finished.htm - 36k

Outstretched (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:54 And it cometh to pass, at Solomon's finishing to pray unto Jehovah
all this prayer and supplication, he hath risen from before the altar of Jehovah ...
/o/outstretched.htm - 19k

Willingness (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:11 and now also finish doing 'it', that even as 'there is' the
readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have, (See NIV ...
/w/willingness.htm - 7k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The finishing of any face of a wall with material different from that of
which it is chiefly composed, or the coating or material so used. ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

What did Paul mean when he said he had finished the race? | GotQuestions.org

What did Paul mean when he said he had kept the faith? | GotQuestions.org

What did Paul mean when he said he had fought the good fight? | GotQuestions.org

Finishing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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