The term "subsist" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept is integral to understanding the nature of God's creation, His sustaining power, and the existence of all things through Him. In theological terms, to subsist means to have existence or to be maintained in existence. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's relationship with the world.

Divine Sustenance and Creation

The Bible presents God as the ultimate source and sustainer of all life. In Colossians 1:16-17 , it is written, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights the belief that all creation subsists through Christ, who is both the agent and purpose of creation. The phrase "in Him all things hold together" underscores the continuous sustaining power of Christ, ensuring that all creation remains in existence.

God's Sustaining Power

The concept of subsistence is further illustrated in Hebrews 1:3 , which states, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." Here, the sustaining power of Christ is emphasized, as He upholds the universe by His word. This ongoing act of sustenance is a testament to the divine power and authority of Christ, ensuring that all creation continues to exist and function according to God's will.

Human Existence and Dependence on God

Human beings, like all creation, subsist through the sustaining power of God. Acts 17:28 declares, "For in Him we live and move and have our being." This verse reflects the dependence of humanity on God for existence and life. It acknowledges that human life is not autonomous but is continually supported by God's providential care.

Theological Implications

The concept of subsistence has significant theological implications. It affirms the sovereignty of God over all creation, emphasizing that nothing exists independently of His will and power. This understanding fosters a sense of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that all life and existence are gifts from the Creator.

Christ as the Source of Spiritual Life

In addition to physical sustenance, the Bible also speaks of spiritual subsistence through Christ. John 15:4-5 illustrates this with the metaphor of the vine and branches: "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ for spiritual vitality and fruitfulness, underscoring the belief that spiritual life and growth subsist through a relationship with Him.

In summary, while the term "subsist" may not appear explicitly in the biblical text, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting God's sustaining power over creation and the dependence of all life on His providence.1. (v. i.) To be maintained with food and clothing; to be supported; to live off of.

2. (v. i.) To be; to have existence; to inhere.

3. (v. i.) To continue; to retain a certain state.

4. (v. t.) To support with provisions; to feed; to maintain; as, to subsist one's family.

4415. melach -- to eat salt
... have maintenance. (Aramaic) corresponding to malach; to eat salt, ie (generally)
subsist -- + have maintenance. see HEBREW malach. 4414b, 4415. melach. 4416 ...
/hebrew/4415.htm - 6k

All Creatures Subsist from the Plenitude of Divine Goodness.
... Book XIII. Chapter II."All Creatures Subsist from the Plenitude of Divine
Goodness. 2. For of the plenitude of Thy goodness Thy ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii all creatures subsist from.htm

For of the Fulness of Thy Goodness, Doth Thy Creature Subsist...
... Book XIII Chapter II For of the fulness of Thy goodness, doth Thy creature
subsist? For of the fulness of Thy goodness, doth Thy ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii for of the.htm

Ignorant Then How this Thy Image Should Subsist, I Should have ...
... Book VI Chapter IV Ignorant then how this Thy image should subsist, I
should have knocked and proposed the? Ignorant then how ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iv ignorant then how.htm

Why God Suffers Objects of Idolatry to Subsist.
... Homily XI. Chapter VI."Why God Suffers Objects of Idolatry to Subsist.
"But some say, Unless He wished these things to be, they ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vi why god suffers objects.htm

Whether "Person" is the Same as Hypostasis, Subsistence, and ...
... De Duab. Nat.) that genera and species only subsist; whereas individuals
are not only subsistent, but also substand. But subsistences ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether person is the same.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... When I say, This is essentially a social religion, I mean not only that it cannot
subsist so well, but that it cannot subsist at all, without society ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 24 upon our lords.htm

Whether the Intelligible Species are Derived by the Soul from ...
... For Plato, as we have said [675](A[1]), held that the forms of sensible things subsist
by themselves without matter; for instance, the form of a man which he ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intelligible species are.htm

Whether There are Several Persons in God?
... Therefore, although they subsist, nevertheless they are not several subsistent
realities"-that is, several persons. But the absolute ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are several persons.htm

Discourse IV.
... follow; and He will be His own Father, and the Son begetting and begotten by Himself;
or Word, Wisdom, Son, is a name only, and He does not subsist who owns ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/discourse iv.htm

Preface
... religion. Though right tempers cannot subsist without right opinions, yet
right opinions may subsist without right tempers. There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/preface.htm

Subsist (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To continue; to retain a certain state. 4. (vt) To support with provisions;
to feed; to maintain; as, to subsist one's family. ...Subsist (10 Occurrences). ...
/s/subsist.htm - 9k

Live (3203 Occurrences)
... of happiness. 6. (vi) To feed; to subsist; to be nourished or supported; --
with on; as, horses live on grass and grain. 7. (vi) To ...
/l/live.htm - 8k

Consist (7 Occurrences)
... To stand firm; to be in a fixed or permanent state, as a body composed of parts
in union or connection; to hold together; to be; to exist; to subsist; to be ...
/c/consist.htm - 80k

Vulture (16 Occurrences)
... VULTURE. vul'-tur (da'ah; Septuagint gups, and iktinos; Latin Vulturidae): Any member
of a family of large birds that subsist wholly or in part on carrion. ...
/v/vulture.htm - 14k

Obtain (63 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established;
to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom ...
/o/obtain.htm - 24k

Falsehoods (4 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Psalms 101:7 He that practiseth deceit shall not dwell within my house; he
that speaketh falsehoods shall not subsist in my sight. (DBY). ...
/f/falsehoods.htm - 7k

Eve (5 Occurrences)
... should rule over him; nor from his feet, lest he should tyrannize over her; but
from his side, to denote that species of equality which is to subsist in the ...
/e/eve.htm - 16k

Discrepancies
... Such disagreements might subsist between the, statements of different writers
or between the several statements of a single writer. ...
/d/discrepancies.htm - 20k

Practiseth (4 Occurrences)
... Psalms 101:7 He that practiseth deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that
speaketh falsehoods shall not subsist in my sight. (DBY). ...
/p/practiseth.htm - 7k

Subsistence (2 Occurrences)

/s/subsistence.htm - 7k

Subsist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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