The term "sometime" is not frequently used in the Bible, but it can be understood as referring to an indefinite or unspecified time in the past or future. In the context of Scripture, it often conveys a sense of events or conditions that occurred at a previous time or will occur at an unspecified future time. The concept of "sometime" can be seen in various passages where the timing of events is not precisely defined, allowing for a broader understanding of God's eternal perspective and human experience.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Past Events and Conditions: The Bible often refers to past events or conditions that have changed over time. For example, in Ephesians 2:13 , Paul writes, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Here, "once" can be understood as "sometime in the past," indicating a previous state of separation from God that has been transformed through Christ.

2. Future Expectations: The Bible also uses language that suggests future events or conditions that are not precisely timed. In 1 Peter 3:18-20 , Peter speaks of Christ preaching to the spirits in prison, "who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." The phrase "long ago" can be interpreted as "sometime in the past," emphasizing the indefinite timing of these events.

3. Eternal Perspective: The concept of "sometime" aligns with the biblical theme of God's eternal nature, where time is not constrained by human understanding. In 2 Peter 3:8 , it is written, "Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." This passage highlights the divine perspective on time, where "sometime" can encompass both the immediate and the distant.

4. Transformation and Change: The Bible often speaks of transformation and change that occur over time. In Colossians 1:21 , Paul states, "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds." The use of "once" suggests a previous condition that has been altered through reconciliation with God, illustrating the transformative power of faith.

Theological Implications

The use of "sometime" in Scripture underscores the fluidity of time in God's plan. It reminds believers of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal significance of spiritual transformation. The Bible's references to past and future events without specific timing encourage Christians to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, recognizing that His plans unfold according to His divine will.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of "sometime" serves as a reminder to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that God's timing is perfect even when it is not immediately apparent. It encourages patience and faithfulness, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His time. The acknowledgment of past transformations and future hopes inspires Christians to remain steadfast in their faith journey, confident in the assurance of God's unchanging love and purpose.1. (adv.) At a past time indefinitely referred to; once; formerly.

2. (adv.) At a time undefined; once in a while; now and then; sometimes.

3. (adv.) At one time or other hereafter; as, I will do it sometime.

4. (a.) Having been formerly; former; late; whilom.

SOMETIME

sum'-tim: In modern English means "occasionally," and is so used in Sirach 37:14 for eniote. Otherwise the word means "at some past time," and is the translation of pote. the Revised Version (British and American) changes to "aforetime" in The Wisdom of Solomon 5:3; 1 Peter 3:20; to "once" in Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 5:8; to "in time past" in Colossians 1:21; while in Colossians 3:7 the English Revised Version has "aforetime," the American Standard Revised Version "once." the King James Version does not distinguish between "sometime" and "sometimes."

1221. depote -- sometime
... sometime. Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle Transliteration: depote
Phonetic Spelling: (day'-pot-eh) Short Definition: even at that time, whenever ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1221.htm - 6k

3819. palai -- long ago, of old
... Probably another form for palin (through the idea of retrocession); (adverbially)
formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3819.htm - 6k

Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime Archbishop of ...
... Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime Archbishop of Constantinople.
Translated by Charles Gordon Browne, MA,. Rector of Lympstone, Devon; and. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/select orations of saint gregory.htm

A Selection from the Letters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime
... A Selection from the Letters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Sometime. Archbishop of
Constantinople. Division I. Letters on the Apollinarian Controversy. ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/a selection from the letters.htm

How that a Man's Affection is Marvelously Changed in Ghostly ...
... Sometime in this travail him think that it is to look thereupon as on hell; for
him think that he despaireth to win to perfection of ghostly rest out of that ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 5.htm

"It is not God's Will that we Follow the Feeling of Pains in ...
... This Vision was shewed me, according to mine understanding, [for] that it is speedful
to some souls to feel on this wise: sometime to be in comfort, and ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xv it is not.htm

Whether the Knowledge of God is Variable?
... For as it is without variation in the divine knowledge that God knows one and the
same thing sometime to be, and sometime not to be, so it is without variation ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the knowledge of god 4.htm

How that after the Likeness of Moses, of Bezaleel, and of Aaron ...
... Sometime we profit only by grace, and then we be likened unto Moses, that for all
the climbing and the travail that he had into the mount might not come to see ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 6.htm

Deposition of Arius.
... 2. Now those who became apostates are these, Arius, Achilles, Aeithales, Carpones,
another Arius, and Sarmates, sometime Presbyters: Euzo??us, Lucius, Julius ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/deposition of arius.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... By the Rev. John Wesley, MA, sometime Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. ... Sometime
Fellow of Lincoln College.' What was a Fellow and a sometime Fellow? ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

Wesley's Hymns Reconsidered
... SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, sometime Scholar of Jesus College in the University of
Cambridge, once wrote some ingenious verses {Metrical Feet: Lesson for a Boy ...
/.../the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/wesleys hymns reconsidered.htm

The Life of Mr. Josias Welch.
... Mr. Josias Welch was a younger son to the famous Mr. John Welch sometime minister
of the gospel at Ayr, and Elizabeth Knox daughter to the great Mr. John Knox ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr josias.htm

Sometime (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) At a time undefined; once in a while; now and then; sometimes. 3. (adv.)
At one time or other hereafter; as, I will do it sometime. ...SOMETIME. ...
/s/sometime.htm - 9k

Sometimes (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Formerly; sometime. 2. (adv.) At times; at
intervals; now and then; occasionally. 3. (a.) Former; sometime. ...
/s/sometimes.htm - 8k

Reconciled (11 Occurrences)
... Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/r/reconciled.htm - 10k

Disbelieved (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:20 who sometime disbelieved, when once the long-suffering of God did wait,
in days of Noah -- an ark being preparing -- in which few, that is, eight ...
/d/disbelieved.htm - 8k

Preparing (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God
waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is ...
/p/preparing.htm - 13k

Chameleon (1 Occurrence)
... The desert monitor, Varanus griseus, one of the largest of lizards, sometime attaining
the length of 4 ft., is common in Palestine and may be the animal here ...
/c/chameleon.htm - 11k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Experienced; versed. 6. (a.) Former; sometime. 7. (n.) Those who lived in
former ages, as opposed to the moderns. 8. (n.) An aged man; a patriarch. ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

Acknowledgment (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:25 in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime
give them repentance to acknowledgment of the truth, (DBY). ...
/a/acknowledgment.htm - 8k

Something (417 Occurrences)

/s/something.htm - 7k

Setting (82 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). 2 Timothy 2:25 in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps
may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of the truth, (DBY). ...
/s/setting.htm - 32k

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