The term "permitteth" is an archaic form of the verb "permit," which means to allow or give consent to something. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God's allowance of certain events, actions, or conditions within His sovereign will. The concept of God permitting certain things, even those that may seem contrary to His nature, is a significant theme in understanding the relationship between divine sovereignty and human free will.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Free Will

The Bible presents God as sovereign, meaning He has ultimate authority and control over all creation. However, within this sovereignty, God permits human beings to exercise free will. This allowance is evident in the narrative of the Garden of Eden, where God permits Adam and Eve to choose whether to obey His command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). Their choice to disobey, while permitted by God, led to the fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world.

God's Permissive Will

The concept of God's permissive will is crucial in understanding why certain events occur. While God does not cause evil, He may permit it for a greater purpose or to bring about a greater good. This is seen in the account of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Although their actions were evil, God permitted it to bring about the salvation of many during a time of famine (Genesis 50:20).

Testing and Trials

God's permission is also evident in the testing and trials of His people. In the Book of Job, God permits Satan to test Job's faithfulness, allowing Job to endure significant suffering. Despite the trials, Job's faith remains steadfast, and he ultimately gains a deeper understanding of God's nature and sovereignty (Job 1:12, 2:6).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the concept of permission is seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus speaks of the allowance of divorce due to the hardness of human hearts, though it was not God's original intention for marriage (Matthew 19:8). The Apostle Paul also discusses the idea of permission in matters of conscience, advising believers to act according to their faith and understanding, while being considerate of others (Romans 14:14-23).

God's Patience and Longsuffering

God's permission is often linked to His patience and longsuffering. He permits time for repentance and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. As stated in 2 Peter 3:9 , "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Conclusion

The concept of "permitteth" in the Bible underscores the complexity of God's interaction with the world. It highlights His sovereignty, the reality of human free will, and His ultimate purpose of redemption and restoration. Through understanding what God permits, believers gain insight into His character and His overarching plan for creation.

Thus Then what is Written, "The Mouth that Lieth...
... of the Lord, Who hath filled the whole earth; at the same time mentioning lips and
voice and tongue in that place; yet all these the sense permitteth not to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 31 thus then what.htm

Psalm LXII.
... Do not therefore wonder, God permitteth, and in judgment permitteth: He
permitteth, and in measure, number, weight, He permitteth. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxii.htm

John Chapter xvii. 24-26.
... there is but one Spirit, by including whom we come to the knowledge of the Trinity,
let piety believe, even though our infirmity meanwhile permitteth us not to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxi john chapter xvii.htm

This Picus Mirandula Spake in an Oration Made Before a Most ...
... Any man may perceive that he permitteth his fancy to wander a little wantonly after
the manner of a poet but most deep and serious things are secretly hidden ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/78 this picus mirandula spake.htm

That You are a Man Should Fill You with Joys
... it. It excludeth nothing, and containeth all things, being a power that
permitteth all objects to be, and is able to enjoy them. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/24 that you are a.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 8, 9
... For therefore, "we are delivered,"' he says, in other words, we bear about His dying
that the power of His life may be made manifest, who permitteth not mortal ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ix 2 cor iv.htm

A Lecture for Little-Faith
... it leaneth on its Beloved; casteth all the burden of its cares, sorrows, and griefs
upon that blessed shoulder, and permitteth all its sins to he swallowed up ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a lecture for little-faith.htm

The Chaff Driven Away
... He watcheth everything round about them. If pestilence stalk through the land, he
permitteth not one of its shafts to hit, unless he seeth it is for good. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the chaff driven away.htm

Psalm CXLI.
... not another's wife; who is content with his own, or even without his own, in such
wise as is lawful, and as Apostolical discipline permitteth, with consent of ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxli.htm

2 Cor. xii. 1
... not that He doth chastise or punish, but for the time alloweth and permitteth them.
[984]. [3.] Ver.8. "Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 2 cor xii.htm

Permitteth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Permitteth (1 Occurrence). Job 9:18 He permitteth me not
to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things. (YLT). ...
/p/permitteth.htm - 6k

Refresh (18 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 9:18 He permitteth me not to refresh my spirit,
But filleth me with bitter things. (YLT). Song of Songs 2 ...
/r/refresh.htm - 13k

Permittest (1 Occurrence)

/p/permittest.htm - 6k

Permitting (2 Occurrences)

/p/permitting.htm - 7k

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