The term "subsists" refers to the state of existing or continuing in being. In theological contexts, it often pertains to the nature of God's existence and His sustaining power over creation. The concept of subsistence is integral to understanding the nature of God, His creation, and His providence as revealed in the Bible.

Divine Subsistence

God's subsistence is foundational to His nature as the eternal, self-existent Being. In Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," indicating His self-sustaining existence. This declaration underscores that God's being is not contingent upon anything outside Himself. He is the source of all life and existence, as affirmed in Acts 17:28, "For in Him we live and move and have our being."

Colossians 1:17 further elaborates on this concept, stating, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights Christ's role in the divine subsistence, emphasizing that all creation is sustained by His power. The preeminence of Christ in creation and His sustaining power are central to understanding the nature of divine subsistence.

Creation and Sustenance

The Bible presents God as the Creator who not only brings the universe into existence but also continually sustains it. Hebrews 1:3 describes the Son as "upholding all things by His powerful word," illustrating the ongoing nature of God's sustaining work. This continuous act of sustenance is a testament to God's omnipotence and His intimate involvement with His creation.

Psalm 104 provides a vivid depiction of God's providential care over creation, detailing how He provides for the needs of all living things. Verses 27-30 express this beautifully: "All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth."

Human Existence and Dependence

Human beings, as part of God's creation, are entirely dependent on Him for their existence and sustenance. This dependence is a recurring theme in Scripture, reminding humanity of their reliance on God's provision and grace. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches about God's care for His creation, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision for their needs.

The Apostle Paul, in his address to the Athenians, emphasizes this dependence in Acts 17:25, stating that God "Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." This acknowledgment of human dependence on God for life and sustenance is a call to recognize His sovereignty and to live in gratitude and obedience to Him.

Spiritual Subsistence

Beyond physical sustenance, the Bible also speaks to the spiritual subsistence provided by God. Jesus, in John 6:35, declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This metaphorical language points to the spiritual nourishment and eternal life that Christ offers to those who believe in Him.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers is another aspect of spiritual subsistence. The Spirit sustains and empowers Christians to live according to God's will, as seen in Galatians 5:25, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit." This spiritual sustenance is essential for the believer's growth and perseverance in faith.

In summary, the concept of subsistence in the Bible encompasses God's self-existent nature, His sustaining power over creation, and the dependence of all life on His providence. It also extends to the spiritual realm, where God provides eternal sustenance through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

In God, Substance is Spoken Improperly, Essence Properly.
... For body subsists, and so is substance; but those things are in the body, which
subsists and is their subject, and they are not substances, but are in a ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 5 in god substance is.htm

Of Internal Acts
... counteracted if the soul, on perceiving the aberration, by a pure act of return
to God, instantly replaces itself again in Him; and this act subsists as long ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxii of internal acts.htm

On John viii. 12.
... For if the light subsists for ever, it is evident that the reflection also
subsists for ever. And that this light subsists, is known ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/v on john viii 12.htm

Whether the Human Soul is Something Subsistent?
... For that which subsists is said to be "this particular thing." Now "this particular
thing" is said not of the soul, but of that which is composed of soul and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the human soul is.htm

Whether the Fire of Hell is of the Same Species as Ours?
... But whether that fire subsists in its proper matter, or if it subsists
in a strange matter, what that matter may be, we know not. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the fire of hell 2.htm

Unity and Peace.
... The second thing which we observe respecting this unity, is that it subsists between
things not similar or alike, but things dissimilar or unlike. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xi unity and peace.htm

God's Inheritance and Ours
... As the old psalm has it, 'It is He that hath made us, and we are His'; still, such
a relationship as this, based upon the connection that subsists between the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/gods inheritance and ours.htm

But Since Our System of Religion is Wont to Observe a Distinction ...
... But if it subsists, being as it is something with intellect and without body, then
certainly it lives, whereas if it be divorced from life, then as certainly ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter i but since our.htm

The Trinity
... The Godhead subsists in Christ. ... (3.) It confutes the Arians, who deny the Holy
Ghost to be God. The eternal Godhead subsists in the Holy Ghost. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/12 the trinity.htm

The Owner and his Slaves
... I do not need, I suppose, to spend a moment in showing you that this relationship,
which is laid down in our text, subsists between Jesus Christ and men, and ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the owner and his slaves.htm

Subsists (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Subsists (2 Occurrences). John 1:17 For the law was given
by Moses: grace and truth subsists through Jesus Christ. (DBY). ...
/s/subsists.htm - 6k

Introduced (7 Occurrences)
... RSV). 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that annulled was introduced with glory, much
rather that which abides subsists in glory. (DBY). Galatians ...
/i/introduced.htm - 8k

Annulled (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that annulled was introduced with glory,
much rather that which abides subsists in glory. (DBY). ...
/a/annulled.htm - 10k

Abides (37 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that annulled was introduced with glory,
much rather that which abides subsists in glory. (DBY). ...
/a/abides.htm - 16k

Agreement (341 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) State of agreeing; harmony of opinion, statement, action, or character;
concurrence; concord; conformity; as, a good agreement subsists among the ...
/a/agreement.htm - 36k

Subsisting (1 Occurrence)

/s/subsisting.htm - 6k

Substance (99 Occurrences)

/s/substance.htm - 39k

Evolution
... When a living organism is constituted, and as long as it subsists in life, it
breaks up and reconstitutes forms of matter into new forms. ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Rather (176 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY). 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that annulled was introduced with glory,
much rather that which abides subsists in glory. (DBY). ...
/r/rather.htm - 36k

Hosea (6 Occurrences)
... The sense is evident: the marriage still subsists; God does not give His people
up, but they are for the present divorced "from bed and board"; it is a ...
/h/hosea.htm - 43k

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