In the Bible, children are often used figuratively to convey various spiritual truths and principles. This figurative use of children can be seen in both the Old and New Testaments, where they symbolize innocence, dependence, humility, and the need for spiritual rebirth.

Innocence and Purity

Children are frequently associated with innocence and purity, qualities that believers are encouraged to emulate. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus emphasizes the importance of childlike qualities for entering the kingdom of heaven: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" . Here, children represent the purity and sincerity required to approach God.

Dependence and Trust

The dependence of children on their parents is used to illustrate the believer's reliance on God. Just as children trust their parents for provision and protection, Christians are called to trust in God's care and guidance. This is reflected in passages like Psalm 131:2, where the psalmist expresses a childlike trust in the Lord: "But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me" .

Humility and Teachability

Children are often seen as humble and teachable, qualities that are essential for spiritual growth. In Matthew 18:4, Jesus states, "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" . This verse highlights the importance of humility and the willingness to learn from God, as children learn from their parents.

Spiritual Rebirth

The concept of being "born again" is central to Christian theology and is often illustrated through the metaphor of spiritual childhood. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" . This rebirth signifies a new beginning, akin to the birth of a child, and underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ.

Heirs and Inheritance

In the epistles, believers are described as children of God, emphasizing their status as heirs to God's promises. Romans 8:16-17 states, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" . This figurative use of children underscores the believer's privileged position and the inheritance of eternal life.

Spiritual Growth and Maturity

While children symbolize innocence and dependence, they also represent the need for growth and maturity in the faith. The apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 13:11: "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me" . This passage encourages believers to mature in their understanding and practice of the faith.

In summary, the figurative use of children in the Bible serves as a powerful tool to convey essential spiritual truths, encouraging believers to embody qualities such as innocence, trust, humility, and growth in their relationship with God.1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, be not children in understanding: however, in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
Nave's Topical Index

1121. ben -- son
... 1), children and children's (1), children's (2), children's children (5), colt
(1 ... name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including ...
/hebrew/1121.htm - 8k

Another Foolish Erasure of Marcion's Exposed Certain Figurative ...
... XVIII."Another Foolish Erasure of Marcion's Exposed Certain Figurative Expressions
of ... What women, what children, what princes did the Conqueror throw into ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xviii another foolish erasure of.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... of this class of expositors, the maiming of the body is figurative language, and ...
They teach us that God's suffering children go immediately, upon death, to a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Figurative Style of Certain Messianic Prophecies in the Psalms ...
... "Thou art fairer than the children of men ... is an allegorical one, then the Creator's
Christ in the psalm too may have been girded with the figurative sword of ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiv figurative style of certain.htm

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... He will gather the lambs with His arm," [1066] "using the figurative appellation
of ... more distinctly to us what is signified by the appellation of children. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

The Name Children Does not Imply Instruction in Elementary ...
... been called a river of olive oil, Paul, using appropriate figurative language, and ...
Besides, for children at the breast, milk alone suffices; it serves both for ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the name children does.htm

Such is Our Doctrine of Punishment; and the Inculcation of this ...
... those who say, "Our fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are ...
for his own sin." As to the proper meaning of the figurative language about ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xl such is our.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... Then comes Leah and her children; lastly, Joseph and Rachel ... one engages in the worship
of God." Since the expression is plainly figurative, Procksch introduces ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... Third: It is by no means a figurative expression, for if this were true
there would be no comfort in it to God's children. Yet, as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/paul a pattern of prayer.htm

From the Same First Book.
... be a matter of necessity that there would neither be parents nor children. ... [See remarks
on inevitable discrepancies of language and figurative illustrations at ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/from the same first book.htm

Practical Observations.
... having become a curse for us." It is futile to say that all these passages are more
or less figurative. ... Has not His blood been on them, and on their children? ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 35.htm

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