In the context of the Bible, the term "ligaments" is not explicitly mentioned in the text. However, the concept of ligaments can be understood through the broader biblical themes of unity, connection, and the body of Christ. Ligaments, in a physiological sense, are bands of tough, elastic connective tissue that hold bones together at the joints, providing stability and support to the body. This physical function can be metaphorically related to the spiritual and communal aspects of the Christian faith as described in the Scriptures.

Biblical Metaphor and Spiritual Significance

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often uses the metaphor of the human body to describe the Church, the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:16 , Paul writes, "From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Here, the "supporting ligament" is a metaphor for the roles and functions within the Church that contribute to its unity and growth. Just as ligaments are essential for the physical body's cohesion and function, so are the spiritual gifts and roles within the Church essential for its spiritual health and unity.

In Colossians 2:19 , Paul further elaborates on this concept: "He has lost connection to the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow." This passage emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to Christ, the Head of the Church, and highlights the role of ligaments as a symbol of the connections that maintain the integrity and growth of the Church body.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

The metaphor of ligaments also underscores the importance of unity and diversity within the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses the diversity of spiritual gifts and the necessity of each member's contribution to the body. Just as ligaments connect different parts of the body, the diverse gifts and roles within the Church connect believers, enabling them to function effectively as one body. This unity in diversity is essential for the Church's mission and witness in the world.

Practical Implications for Believers

Understanding the metaphorical significance of ligaments in the biblical context encourages believers to recognize their role in maintaining the unity and health of the Church. Each believer is called to use their gifts and talents to support and build up the body of Christ, fostering an environment of love and cooperation. This understanding also calls for a commitment to spiritual growth and maturity, as the body of Christ is continually being built up and strengthened through the work of its members.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention ligaments, the metaphorical use of the body and its parts, including ligaments, provides profound insights into the nature of the Church and the role of believers within it. Through these metaphors, Scripture teaches the importance of unity, diversity, and mutual support in the body of Christ.4886. sundesmos -- that which binds together, ie a bond
... Word Origin from sundeo Definition that which binds together, ie a bond NASB Word
Usage bond (1), bond of unity (1), bondage (1), ligaments (1). bond. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4886.htm - 7k

Concerning Sensation.
... But touch is spread over the whole body with the exception of bones, nerves,
nails, horns, hairs, ligaments, and other such structures. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xviii concerning sensation.htm

He Further Shows the Operations of God to be Expressed by Human ...
... hand," and "arm," in speaking of God, does not by the phrase portray the structure
of the limb out of bones and sinews and flesh and ligaments, but signifies ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 he further shows.htm

The Tenth Book Discusses the Unattainable and Incomprehensible
... framework of bones, whether the hollows of the bones are filled with marrow, whether
its joints are united by the tension of sinews and ligaments, whether the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the tenth book.htm

Letter xvi. Against Eunomius the Heretic.
... breathing? Has it a skeleton? Is its body connected by sinews and ligaments?
Are its sinews surrounded with muscles and glands? ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xvi against eunomius the.htm

section iv.
... [O Adam, what hast thou done?] I thank God I have not those strait ligaments, or
narrow obligations to the World, as to dote on life, or be convulst and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section iv.htm

section ii.
... that men sometimes, upon the hour of their departure, do speak and reason above
themselves; for then the soul, beginning to be freed from the ligaments of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section ii 2.htm

The Hebdomadarii; System of the Arithmeticians; Pressed into the ...
... Six other coupling ligaments grow out of the brain, which, traversing round the
head, and having their termination in (the head) itself, hold bodies together ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter li the hebdomadarii system of.htm

Life a Tale
... It cannot be (we may unconsciously reason), that we to whom this earth is bound
with ligaments so intimate and strong; whose breathing and motion-whose contact ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/life a tale.htm

Perseverance
... is taken, ab unione cum Christo, from believers' union with Christ.' They are knit
to Christ as the members to the head, by the nerves and ligaments of faith ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

Colossians iii. 7-May
... it is of no service; and in an house, if there be no tie beams, it is the same;
and in a body, though the bones be large, if there be no ligaments, they are of ...
/.../homily viii colossians iii 7-may.htm

Ligaments (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ligaments (1 Occurrence). Colossians 2:19 and not
holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being ...
/l/ligaments.htm - 6k

Knit (11 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/k/knit.htm - 10k

Joints (7 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/j/joints.htm - 9k

Ligament (1 Occurrence)

/l/ligament.htm - 7k

Grows (46 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/g/grows.htm - 19k

Growth (77 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/g/growth.htm - 29k

Firmly (47 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/f/firmly.htm - 19k

Entire (119 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/e/entire.htm - 36k

Supplied (22 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/s/supplied.htm - 13k

Sinews (7 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being
supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's ...
/s/sinews.htm - 8k

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