In the context of the Bible, the term "spares" often refers to the act of withholding punishment or harm, demonstrating mercy or restraint. This concept is deeply rooted in the character of God as depicted in the Scriptures, as well as in the moral and ethical teachings imparted to believers.

Divine Mercy and Forbearance

The Bible frequently illustrates God's mercy through His willingness to spare individuals or groups from deserved judgment. One of the most notable examples is found in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18:26, God responds to Abraham's intercession by saying, "If I find fifty righteous people within the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." This passage highlights God's readiness to withhold judgment for the sake of the righteous, underscoring His merciful nature.

Similarly, in the book of Jonah, God spares the city of Nineveh after its inhabitants repent from their wickedness. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." This narrative emphasizes God's compassion and His desire for repentance rather than destruction.

Human Responsibility to Spare

The Bible also instructs believers to emulate God's mercy by sparing others. Proverbs 13:24 advises, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." While this verse advocates for appropriate discipline, it also implies the importance of restraint and mercy in correction, suggesting that sparing can be an act of love when balanced with guidance.

In the New Testament, the principle of sparing is evident in the teachings of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This teaching encourages believers to spare others from retaliation and to extend grace, reflecting the character of God.

Sparing in Judgment

The concept of sparing is also present in the context of divine judgment. In Ezekiel 9:4-6, God commands a mark to be placed on the foreheads of those who grieve over the abominations committed in Jerusalem, sparing them from the impending judgment. This act of sparing signifies God's discernment and justice, distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of God's sparing nature in Romans 11:21, warning the Gentiles not to become arrogant, as God did not spare the natural branches (Israel) due to unbelief. This serves as a reminder of God's impartiality and the importance of faithfulness.

Conclusion

The theme of sparing in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine mercy, human responsibility, and the principles of justice and discernment. It reflects the character of God as compassionate and just, while also calling believers to embody these attributes in their interactions with others.2550. chamal -- to spare
... compassion (2), have compassion (1), have pity (4), have...pity (1), mercy (1),
ruthlessly* (1), show pity (1), spare (11), spared (5), spares (2), sparing (5 ...
/hebrew/2550.htm - 6k

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... But if he himself has not a good conscience, and is a respecter of persons for the
sake of filthy lucre, and receiving of bribes, and spares the open offender ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Yet He Added, "But Such Shall have Tribulation of the Flesh...
... But whereas he says that he spares them, who he saith will have tribulation of the
flesh, there suggests itself to me in the mean while no sounder ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /section 16 yet he added.htm

Semper Idem
... None loves them best"O vain and selfish sigh! Out of the bosom of His love
He spares". The Father spares the Son, for thee to die: ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxxvi semper idem.htm

Requiting God
... He spares not His own Son, the Son spares not Himself, the Father gives up His Son
for us all because He loves, the Son loves us, and gives Himself to us and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/requiting god.htm

Matt. xvi. 24
... For he who spares his child, ruins it; but he who spares it not, preserves." To
which effect also a certain wise man said, "If thou beat thy son with a rod, he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lv matt xvi 24.htm

But Let this Pass, for what Follows is of More Importance. I Thank ...
... bend to our examination of the books; for, to use an expression of his own, a great
work leaves no time for sleep; though indeed he himself spares nobody, and ...
/.../31 but let this pass.htm

The Vain Pretensions of False Gods.
... And property; transgresses plighted faith; Nor spares even cities, but
with cruel hand. Despoils and devastates them ruthlessly. ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter v the vain pretensions of.htm

Further Remarks Upon the Apostle's Language.
... immediately restrains and recalls itself, while it subjoins, "However, such shall
have pressure of the flesh;" while he says that he "spares them;" while he ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter iv further remarks upon the.htm

An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
... before. And if God spares our lives, no doubt many of those things which
I have before been urging, must in substance be repeated. ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse x an address to.htm

Precious Deaths
... Not thus is it with the King of kings; he spares the poor and needy, and saves the
souls of the needy, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/precious deaths.htm

Spares (4 Occurrences)
...Spares (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 13:24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but
one who loves him is careful to discipline him. ... No one spares his brother. ...
/s/spares.htm - 7k

Spareth (9 Occurrences)

/s/spareth.htm - 8k

Spared (45 Occurrences)

/s/spared.htm - 20k

Fuel (13 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 9:19 Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt up; and the
people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. ...
/f/fuel.htm - 12k

Tempered (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Proverbs 17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He
who is even tempered is a man of understanding. (WEB NIV). ...
/t/tempered.htm - 8k

Serves (14 Occurrences)
... Malachi 3:17 They shall be mine," says Yahweh of Armies, "my own possession in the
day that I make, and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who ...
/s/serves.htm - 10k

Spare (80 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 9:19 Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burnt
up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. ...
/s/spare.htm - 32k

Temper (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 17:27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even
tempered is a man of understanding. (Root in WEB YLT NIV). ...
/t/temper.htm - 13k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... David Spares Saul 11. Saul's Divided Energies 12. Consults a Necromancer 13.
Battle of Gilboa 14. Double Accounts 15. Saul's Posterity III. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Discipline (63 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Proverbs 13:24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but one
who loves him is careful to discipline him. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/discipline.htm - 25k

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