The term "partakes" in the biblical context often refers to the act of sharing or participating in something, particularly in a spiritual or communal sense. It is derived from the Greek word "metochos," which means a partner or sharer. This concept is significant in understanding the communal and covenantal aspects of the Christian faith.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "partakes" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is present in various forms. The Israelites partook in the Passover meal as a sign of their covenant with God (Exodus 12). This act of partaking was not merely a physical consumption but a spiritual participation in the deliverance and promises of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the idea of partaking is more explicitly developed, particularly in the writings of Paul and the author of Hebrews. It often refers to the sharing in the benefits and sufferings of Christ.

1. Partaking in the Divine Nature: In 2 Peter 1:4, believers are described as partakers of the divine nature. This indicates a profound spiritual transformation and participation in the life and holiness of God: "Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

2. Partaking in Christ's Sufferings: Believers are called to partake in the sufferings of Christ, as seen in 1 Peter 4:13: "But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory." This participation is seen as a means of spiritual growth and identification with Christ.

3. Partaking in the Lord's Supper: The act of communion is a significant example of partaking in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf." This sacrament symbolizes the believer's union with Christ and with one another.

4. Partaking in the Holy Spirit: Hebrews 6:4 speaks of those who have "partaken of the Holy Spirit." This indicates an experiential sharing in the work and presence of the Holy Spirit, which is a mark of the believer's life.

Theological Implications

The concept of partaking is central to understanding the communal and covenantal nature of the Christian faith. It emphasizes the believer's union with Christ, participation in His sufferings and glory, and the shared life within the body of Christ. This participation is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling and to support one another in the faith.

Practical Application

For Christians, partaking is not merely a passive experience but an active engagement in the life of faith. It involves regular participation in communal worship, the sacraments, and the mutual edification of the church body. It also calls for a life of holiness and service, reflecting the character of Christ in the world.3348. metecho -- to partake of, share in
... Word Origin from meta and echo Definition to partake of, share in NASB Word Usage
belongs (1), partake (3), partakes (1), partook (1), share (1), sharing (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3348.htm - 7k

And in this Hope Our Divinely-Favored Emperor Partakes Even in ...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter V. And in this hope
our divinely-favored emperor partakes even in this present life? ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter v and in this.htm

Whether Grace is in the Soul's Essence as Its Subject, or in one ...
... Just as it is through the virtue of faith that a man partakes of the divine knowledge
by means of the power of his intellect, and through the virtue of charity ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether grace is.htm

Whether Happiness Consists in the Consideration of Speculative ...
... we are to understand that which attains to the true notion of happiness; and by
imperfect happiness that which does not attain thereto, but partakes of some ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether happiness consists in the.htm

Whether There is in us a Natural Law?
... as in him that rules and measures; in another way, as in that which is ruled and
measured, since a thing is ruled and measured, in so far as it partakes of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is in us.htm

That the Logos is One, not Many. Of the Word, Faithful and True ...
... 4674] "Before Thee shall no living being be justified." He does not say, no man,
or no angel, but no living being, since even if any being partakes of life and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/4 that the logos is.htm

These Things were Unknown to Plato and Other Philosophers.
... But if it lives, it lives not as being life, but as the partaker of life; but that
which partakes of anything, is different from that of which it does partake. ...
/.../chapter vi these things were unknown.htm

Petilianus Said: "But that I May Thoroughly Investigate the ...
... any man, however unrighteous he may be, from a comparison with the infection arising
from the sins of wicked men, so that you say that baptism partakes of the ...
/.../chapter 33 77 petilianus.htm

Celsus, Again, Brings Together a Number of Statements, which He ...
... For not one of us asserts that "God partakes of form or colour." Nor does He even
partake of "motion," because He stands firm, and His nature is permanent, and ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiv celsus again brings.htm

Whether Prudence is a Special virtue?
... virtue, viz., prudence, which has the same matter in common with moral virtue; because,
just as the subject of moral virtue is something that partakes of reason ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prudence is a special.htm

Whether one virtue Can be Greater or Less than Another?
... Hence prudence which perfects the reason, surpasses in goodness the other moral
virtues which perfect the appetitive power, in so far as it partakes of reason. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one virtue can be 2.htm

Partakes (3 Occurrences)
...Partakes (3 Occurrences). Hebrews 5:13 For every one that partakes of milk is unskilled
in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe; (DBY NAS). ...
/p/partakes.htm - 7k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... It is the second proposition of a regular syllogism, as in the following: Every
act of injustice partakes of meanness; to take money from another by gaming is ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Partakers (23 Occurrences)

/p/partakers.htm - 13k

Unskilled (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Hebrews 5:13 For every one that partakes of milk is unskilled
in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe; (DBY YLT RSV). ...
/u/unskilled.htm - 7k

Greets (9 Occurrences)
... you; and so does Mark, my son. (WEB). 2 John 1:11 for he who greets him partakes
in his wicked works. (DBY RSV). 2 Kings 4:29 Then he ...
/g/greets.htm - 8k

Drinks (28 Occurrences)
... 6:7 For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful
herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing ...
/d/drinks.htm - 14k

Partake (19 Occurrences)
... 6:7 For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful
herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing ...
/p/partake.htm - 12k

Partaker (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who partakes; a sharer; a participator. 2.
(n.) An accomplice; an associate; a partner. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/partaker.htm - 9k

Produces (27 Occurrences)
... 6:7 For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful
herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing ...
/p/produces.htm - 13k

Partakest (1 Occurrence)

/p/partakest.htm - 6k

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