Opportune
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The term "opportune" refers to something occurring at a favorable or advantageous time. In the context of the Bible, it often relates to moments when God's timing aligns with His divine purposes, providing opportunities for His will to be fulfilled. The concept of opportune moments is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating how God's perfect timing is integral to His plan for humanity.

Biblical Instances of Opportune Timing

1. Esther's Intervention: The account of Esther is a profound example of opportune timing. Esther, a Jewish queen in Persia, was placed in her royal position "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Her timely intervention saved her people from destruction, demonstrating how God orchestrates events to provide deliverance at the right moment.

2. Jesus' Temptation: In the New Testament, the concept of opportune timing is evident in the account of Jesus' temptation. After Jesus resisted the devil's temptations in the wilderness, it is noted, "When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13). This indicates that the adversary seeks moments of vulnerability, yet it also underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's strength.

3. Paul's Ministry: The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys were marked by opportune moments that advanced the Gospel. In Acts 16:9-10, Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which he interprets as God's call to preach the Gospel there. This pivotal moment opened the door for the spread of Christianity into Europe.

Theological Implications

The concept of opportune timing in the Bible underscores the sovereignty of God. It reveals that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing, even when it is not immediately apparent. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

Practical Application

For Christians, recognizing and seizing opportune moments is crucial for living out their faith. This involves being attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance and being prepared to act when opportunities arise. Ephesians 5:15-16 exhorts believers, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This passage encourages believers to live wisely and make the most of the time given to them.

In summary, the concept of opportune moments in the Bible highlights the importance of divine timing and the believer's responsibility to act in accordance with God's will. Through biblical examples and teachings, Christians are reminded to remain vigilant and responsive to the opportunities God provides for His glory and their growth in faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Convenient; ready; seasonable; timely; as an opportune meeting.

2. (v. t.) To suit.

Greek
2121. eukairos -- timely
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eukairos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo'-kahee-ros)
Short Definition: timely, suitable Definition: opportune, timely, suitable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2121.htm - 6k

5550. chronos -- time
... 5550 ("time in sequence, duration") especially expresses time -- in contrast to
2450 ("opportune time") which portrays time ("time as "). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5550.htm - 7k

2122. eukairos -- in season
... conveniently. Word Origin adverb from eukairos Definition in season NASB Word
Usage opportune time (1), season (1). conveniently, in season. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2122.htm - 6k

2092. hetoimos -- prepared
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition prepared NASB Word Usage accomplished
(1), opportune (1), ready (15). prepared, made ready. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2092.htm - 7k

2540. kairos -- time, season
... word Definition time, season NASB Word Usage age (1), epochs (2), occasion (1),
opportune time (1), opportunity (3), proper time (5), right time (1), season (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2540.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
579. anah -- to be opportune, to meet, encounter opportunely
... anah. 580 . to be opportune, to meet, encounter opportunely. Transliteration:
anah Phonetic Spelling: (aw-naw') Short Definition: befall. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/579.htm - 6k
Library

Whether Christ Suffered at a Suitable Time?
... as much as He deemed sufficient, then came His hour, not of necessity, but of will,
not of condition, but of power." Therefore Christ died at an opportune time ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ suffered at a.htm

The King James Version as English Literature
... From one point of view this early seventeenth century was an opportune time
for making such a classic. Theology was a popular subject. ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture iii the king james.htm

My Reasons for Refusing a Conference.
... religion, either for the purpose of being yourself maturely instructed in more correct
principles, or that they might have been able in an opportune manner to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/8 my reasons for refusing.htm

Of the Mortification of Our Natural Inclination to Liberty or ...
... and infirm, he may lawfully declare unto the superior such his infirmity, so he
do it (as the [97]Rule expresses it, patienter et opportune) with patience, and ...
/.../chapter xiv of the mortification.htm

Preface to the First Edition of the Gospel of the Pentateuch to ...
... shaking the very faith which I was trying to build up, was difficult to me, and
I think would have been impossible to me, but for the opportune appearance of ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/preface to the first edition.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... Such, then, is the most Divine perfecting work of the Muron But it may be opportune,
after these Divine ministrations, to set forth the sacerdotal Orders and ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... In addition to all these general advantages, the cruelty of Cambyses was the means
of furnishing them with a most opportune occasion for putting their plans ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

How Christians view Death.
... And we judge it right and opportune to tell here, for the sake of Crescens
and those who rave as he does, what is related by Xenophon. ...
/.../chapter xi how christians view death.htm

His First Continental Journey.
... He told them that their visit was opportune and remarkable, for that he had been
denounced as a delinquent before the Synod of Berlin, which had sent him a ...
/.../chapter vi his first continental.htm

Brother Hugh
... There are big imperial plans afoot, unions of East and West, which end in talk:
but Sennacherib Frederick is defeated by a divine and opportune pestilence. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

Thesaurus
Opportune (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Convenient; ready; seasonable; timely; as an
opportune meeting. ... Multi-Version Concordance Opportune (4 Occurrences). ...
/o/opportune.htm - 7k

Convenient (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) Seasonable; timely; opportune; as, a convenient occasion; a convenient season.
4. (vi) Near at hand; easy of access. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/c/convenient.htm - 11k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American)). (2) In 2 Kings 5:7 ('anah, "be opportune,"
the Revised Version margin "an occasion"). (3) In the King ...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Opponent's (1 Occurrence)

/o/opponent's.htm - 6k

Opportunely (1 Occurrence)

/o/opportunely.htm - 6k

Fitly (4 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) frequently alters, as in Leviticus
16:21 (`itti, "timely," "opportune," "ready"), where for "fit" it reads "in ...
/f/fitly.htm - 9k

Fit (47 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) frequently alters, as in Leviticus
16:21 (`itti, "timely," "opportune," "ready"), where for "fit" it reads "in ...
/f/fit.htm - 23k

Ready (451 Occurrences)
... ready writer or workman. 5. (superl.) Offering itself at once; at hand;
opportune; convenient; near; easy. 6. (superl.) On the point ...
/r/ready.htm - 36k

Purim (5 Occurrences)
... This only increased the hatred of Haman, who in his jealous fury soon began to seek
an opportune day to work his hate upon Mordecai and the whole Jewish people ...
/p/purim.htm - 16k

Pur (3 Occurrences)
... This only increased the hatred of Haman, who in his jealous fury soon began to seek
an opportune day to work his hate upon Mordecai and the whole Jewish people ...
/p/pur.htm - 15k

Resources
What is Zionism / Christian Zionism? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Herodias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What sort of condolences should a Christian give someone who is hurting after the death of a loved one? | GotQuestions.org

Opportune: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Opportune (4 Occurrences)

Mark 6:21
Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
(See NIV)

Mark 14:11
and they, when they heard it, rejoiced, and promised him to give money. And he sought how he could opportunely deliver him up.
(Root in DBY NAS)

Luke 4:13
When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

John 7:6
Jesus therefore said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Opportune

Related Terms

Opportune (4 Occurrences)

Opportunities (4 Occurrences)

Rejoiced (83 Occurrences)

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)

Opponents/Adversaries
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