Solicitous
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The term "solicitous" refers to showing care, concern, or attention towards someone or something. In a biblical context, this concept is often associated with the attitudes and behaviors that reflect a deep concern for the well-being of others, as well as a diligent attention to one's spiritual duties and responsibilities.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Concern for Others: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of being solicitous towards others, particularly in the context of love and service. In Philippians 2:4 , the Apostle Paul instructs believers, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This verse highlights the Christian duty to be attentive and caring towards the needs of others, reflecting Christ's own selfless love.

2. Parental Care: The concept of being solicitous is also evident in the context of parental care and responsibility. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 , Paul uses the metaphor of a nursing mother to describe his care for the Thessalonian believers: "Instead, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well." This passage illustrates the tender and solicitous nature of spiritual leadership and parental care.

3. Spiritual Vigilance: Being solicitous also involves a vigilant attention to one's spiritual life. In 1 Peter 5:8 , believers are admonished to "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This call to vigilance underscores the need for Christians to be attentive and proactive in guarding their faith and spiritual well-being.

4. Jesus' Example: Jesus Christ exemplified solicitousness in His ministry. He showed deep compassion and concern for the multitudes, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and teaching the lost. In Matthew 9:36 , it is recorded, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus' solicitous nature is a model for believers to emulate in their interactions with others.

5. Anxiety and Trust in God: While being solicitous involves care and concern, the Bible also warns against excessive anxiety. In Matthew 6:25-34 , Jesus teaches about trusting in God's provision: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This passage encourages believers to balance their concern for daily needs with a trust in God's faithfulness.

Practical Application

In practical terms, being solicitous involves a balance between caring for others and maintaining a trustful reliance on God. Christians are called to be attentive to the needs of those around them, to provide support and encouragement, and to be diligent in their spiritual walk. At the same time, they are reminded to cast their anxieties on God, trusting in His sovereign care and provision.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Eager to obtain something desirable; concerned; anxious.
Library

Whether it is Lawful to be Solicitous About Temporal Matters?
... OF VICES OPPOSED TO PRUDENCE BY WAY OF RESEMBLANCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful to be solicitous about temporal matters? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 5.htm

Whether we Should be Solicitous About the Future?
... OF VICES OPPOSED TO PRUDENCE BY WAY OF RESEMBLANCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
we should be solicitous about the future? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should be solicitous.htm

Let those of us who are under the Rod, be Very Solicitous to ...
... 4. LET those of us who are under the Rod, be very solicitous to improve
it aright, that in the End it may indeed be well. HEAR, my ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/4 let those of us.htm

The Thirty-Ninth Chapter: a Man Should not be Unduly Solicitous ...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Thirty-Ninth Chapter: A Man Should Not
Be Unduly Solicitous About His Affairs. The Voice of Christ ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the thirty-ninth chapter a man.htm

Thy Bidding, Holy Brother Aurelius, it was Meet that I Should ...
... work, neither let him eat.'" For he could not be contrary to the Gospel, where the
Lord Himself saith, "Therefore I say unto you, be not solicitous for your ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 1 thy bidding holy.htm

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
... x) that "a solicitous man is a restless man." Now motion belongs chiefly
to the appetitive power: wherefore solicitude does also. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether solicitude belongs to prudence.htm

Nor do they Attend to This, that if Another Should Say...
... speaking in parables and in similitudes concerning spiritual food and clothing,
did warn that not on these accounts should His servants be solicitous; (as He ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 3 nor do they.htm

That He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and the Dead we are Taught ...
... we cite what the Prophets say on this point, we think it necessary to remind you
that this doctrine of the faith would have us daily solicitous concerning the ...
/.../33 that he shall come.htm

Wherefore Even they which Having Relinquished or Distributed their ...
... But then the Lord saith, "Be not solicitous for your life what ye shall eat, nor
for the body, what ye shall put on." Rightly: because He had said above, "Ye ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 33 wherefore even they.htm

Whether Religious Perfection is Diminished by Possessing Something ...
... solicitous for tomorrow." Therefore it would seem that the perfection of
Christian life is diminished by having something in common. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious perfection is diminished.htm

Thesaurus
Solicitous (2 Occurrences)
...Solicitous (2 Occurrences). Matthew 6:34 Therefore be not anxious for the morrow:
for the morrow will be solicitous for the things of itself. ...
/s/solicitous.htm - 7k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
8. (n.) To be anxious or solicitous for. 9. (n.) To suspect; to doubt. 10. ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... his life. Paul was unselfish as ever, solicitous that Zenas and Apollos
be comfortably provided for on their intended journey. He ...
/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Keep (4573 Occurrences)
... 19. (vi) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell. 20. (vi) To take care; to be
solicitous; to watch. 21. (vi) To be in session; as, school keeps to-day. 22. ...
/k/keep.htm - 9k

Unconcerned (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not concerned; not anxious or solicitous; easy in
mind; carelessly secure; indifferent; as, to be unconcerned at what has ...
/u/unconcerned.htm - 7k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Zealous; solicitous; vigilant; anxiously watchful.
2. (a.) Apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful. ...
/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Thoughtful (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Anxious; solicitous; concerned. Multi-Version Concordance Thoughtful
(4 Occurrences). Acts 27:3 The next day we put in at Sidon. ...
/t/thoughtful.htm - 8k

Desirous (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Feeling desire; eagerly wishing; solicitous; eager
to obtain; covetous. Multi-Version Concordance Desirous (31 Occurrences). ...
/d/desirous.htm - 15k

Careful (130 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of care; anxious; solicitous. 2.
(a.) Filling with care or solicitude; exposing to concern ...
/c/careful.htm - 44k

Concerned (45 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Concern. 2. (vt) Disturbed; troubled; solicitous; as, to be much
concerned for the safety of a friend. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/c/concerned.htm - 19k

Resources
Solicitous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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