In biblical terminology, the term "stays" can refer to supports or means of sustaining something, often used metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral support. The concept of "stays" is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the reliance on God and His provisions as the ultimate support for believers.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the idea of "stays" is often associated with God's provision and support for His people. For instance, in Isaiah 3:1, the prophet warns of the removal of Jerusalem's and Judah's supports: "For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support, the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water." Here, "supply and support" can be understood as the physical and spiritual sustenance that God provides, which are essential for the survival and well-being of His people.

The Psalms frequently reflect on God as a stay or support. In Psalm 18:18, David declares, "They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support." This verse highlights the Lord as a steadfast support in times of trouble, emphasizing the believer's reliance on divine strength rather than human means.

New Testament Context

While the specific term "stays" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept is prevalent. The New Testament emphasizes the role of Christ and the Holy Spirit as the ultimate supports for believers. In John 14:16, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, saying, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever." The Holy Spirit acts as a stay, providing guidance, comfort, and strength to believers.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the idea of spiritual support in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Here, Christ is portrayed as the source of strength and support, enabling believers to endure and overcome challenges.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of "stays" underscores the dependency of humanity on divine support. It reflects the belief that God is the ultimate provider and sustainer, both physically and spiritually. This reliance is a central tenet of faith, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision and guidance in all aspects of life.

In a broader sense, "stays" can also refer to the community of believers who support one another in faith. The early church exemplified this in Acts 2:42-47, where the believers devoted themselves to fellowship and mutual support, embodying the principle of being spiritual stays for one another.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the concept of "stays" serves as a reminder of the importance of relying on God and His provisions. It encourages a life of faith, trusting in God's promises and seeking His guidance in all circumstances. Additionally, it calls believers to be sources of support for one another, reflecting the love and unity that characterize the body of Christ.

In summary, "stays" in the biblical context represents the divine and communal support that sustains believers, emphasizing the necessity of reliance on God and the mutual encouragement within the Christian community.1127. gregoreo -- to be awake, to watch
... be awake, to watch NASB Word Usage alert (10), awake (1), keep (1), keep watch
(4), keep watching (1), keeping alert (1), stay on the alert (1), stays awake (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1127.htm - 7k3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell
... sits enthroned (1), sitting (48), sitting down (3), sitting still (1), situated
(1), spent (1), stand (1), stay (29), stayed (25), staying (6), stays (2), take ...
/hebrew/3427.htm - 7k

3027. yad -- hand
... 1), responsible* (1), rule (5), seized* (2), service (1), side (5), sides (1), signpost
(1), slackness* (1), some (1), spacious* (1), stays (2), strength (5 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

1481a. gur -- to sojourn
... 2), lives (1), reside (13), resided (1), resides (3), sojourn (11), sojourned (9),
sojourning (1), sojourns (13), stay (6), staying (4), stays (1), strangers (3 ...
/hebrew/1481a.htm - 5k

That no one Can Get the Better of Covetousness Unless He Stays in ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XXXI. That no one can get the better of covetousness unless
he stays in the Coenobium: and how one can remain there. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxi that no one.htm

Judge, Lawgiver, King
... Present, the seen lawgiver, judge, or king stays the eyes that should travel past
him to God Himself; removed, his absence makes a great emptiness, in whose ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/judge lawgiver king.htm

A Description of Accidie, and the Way in which it Creeps Over the ...
... It does not suffer him to stay in his cell, or to take any pains about reading,
and he often groans because he can do no good while he stays there, and ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii a description of.htm

The Routing of Giant Doubt
... It was made of stiff, iron stays, woven in with rough haircloth, both of which were
made, so Mr. Legality said, by one Mr. Over-Conscientious Scruple who lives ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eleven the routing of.htm

Putting God to Work
... prayer. The work of God stays or advances as prayer puts forth its strength. ... answers.
God stays and answers as long as Abraham stays and asks. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

David's Cry for Purity
... of Israel. And this man sins, black, grievous sin. Self-indulgent, he stays
at home while his army is in the field. His moral nature ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for purity.htm

Prayer and Importunity
... God finds faith in His praying child " the faith which stays and cries " and He
honours it by permitting its further exercise, to the end that it is ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

The Way of Transgressors.
... its force. Still she only pretended to loosen her stays to satisfy her
mother, while the lacings remained as tense as ever. It is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the way of transgressors.htm

The Vain Pretensions of False Gods.
... doors,. He ne'er can please me; nay, but only he. Who stays at home, a just
and righteous God,. To give salvation to His worshippers.". ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter v the vain pretensions of.htm

Following Hard after God
... as any other person may. In making Himself known to us He stays by the
familiar pattern of personality. He communicates with us ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/i following hard after god.htm

Stays (21 Occurrences)
...Stays (21 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she stays as she
is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit. (WEB NIV). ...
/s/stays.htm - 12k

Lions (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:36 On the plates of its stays, and on its panels, he engraved cherubim,
lions, and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around ...
/l/lions.htm - 26k

Steps (113 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was
round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and ...
/s/steps.htm - 34k

Attached (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:35 In the top of the base was there a round compass half a cubit high;
and on the top of the base its stays and its panels were of the same. ...
/a/attached.htm - 15k

Footstool (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold,
which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of ...
/f/footstool.htm - 14k

Rests (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was
round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and ...
/r/rests.htm - 13k

Panels (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:35 In the top of the base was there a round compass half a cubit high;
and on the top of the base its stays and its panels were of the same. ...
/p/panels.htm - 9k

Calf's (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was
round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and ...
/c/calf's.htm - 7k

Scar (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it
is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/s/scar.htm - 8k

Supports (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:35 In the top of the base was there a round compass half a cubit high;
and on the top of the base its stays and its panels were of the same. ...
/s/supports.htm - 14k

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