The term "sufficeth" is an archaic form of the verb "suffice," which means to be enough or adequate. In the context of the Bible, it often conveys the idea of contentment, adequacy, or the sufficiency of God's provision and grace. The concept of sufficiency is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing reliance on God's provision and the adequacy of His grace in the life of believers.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Sufficiency: The Bible frequently highlights the sufficiency of God's grace and provision for His people. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , the Apostle Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" This passage underscores the idea that God's grace is adequate to meet all needs, especially in times of weakness or trial.

2. Contentment and Trust: The concept of sufficiency is closely linked to contentment and trust in God's provision. In Philippians 4:11-13 , Paul writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Here, Paul expresses a profound sense of contentment rooted in the sufficiency of Christ's strength.

3. Material Sufficiency: The Bible also addresses the sufficiency of material needs. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8 , Paul advises, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." This passage encourages believers to find sufficiency in basic provisions and to avoid the pursuit of excessive wealth.

4. Spiritual Sufficiency: The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is a central tenet of Christian theology. Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." This verse affirms the completeness and adequacy of Christ's atoning work for the salvation and sanctification of believers.

5. Sufficiency in Prayer: The Bible encourages believers to rely on God's sufficiency through prayer. In Matthew 6:11 , part of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." This request reflects a trust in God's daily provision and sufficiency for life's needs.

Theological Implications

The concept of sufficeth, or sufficiency, in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It calls believers to a life of faith and dependence on God, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of all that is needed for life and godliness. It challenges the pursuit of self-sufficiency and materialism, urging a focus on spiritual riches and the sufficiency found in a relationship with Christ. The sufficiency of God's grace, provision, and salvation is a cornerstone of Christian faith, offering assurance and peace to believers in every circumstance.

The Father Seen in Christ.
... X. THE FATHER SEEN IN CHRIST. "Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the
Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/x the father seen in.htm

John xiv. 8, 9
... st. john. Homily LXXIV. John xiv. 8, 9. John xiv.8, 9 "Philip saith unto
Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxiv john xiv 8.htm

John Chapter xiv. 7-10.
... Him, and have seen Him." But Philip, one of the apostles, not understanding what
he had just heard, said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us." And ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxx john chapter xiv.htm

Psalm XLVI.
... For this thought Philip also, when he said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and
it sufficeth us." When he said, "It sufficeth us," he sought the end of ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvi.htm

All are Sometimes Understood in one Person.
... But the "ascension to the Father" meant, so to appear as He is equal to the Father,
that the limit of the sight which sufficeth us might be attained there. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 9 all are sometimes understood.htm

Turn Us, O God of Hosts, Show us Thy Countenance...
... It sufficeth for that it was made for; but it sufficeth not to stay things running
their course from their appointed starting-place to the end appointed. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter x turn us o.htm

The Original Translator's Preface.
... made a great hardness in the author's own book, in that tongue wherein otherwise
he is both plentiful and easy, insomuch that it sufficeth not to read him once ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/the original translators preface.htm

The True vision of God
... THE TRUE VISION OF GOD. 'Philip saith unto Jesus, Lord, shew us the Father, and
it sufficeth us.9. Jesus saith unto Him, Have I been so long time with you, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the true vision of god.htm

Augustine 354-430 -- the Recovery of Sight by the Blind
... For when Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father and it sufficeth us": he
understood, indeed, that if the Father were shown him, it might well suffice him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/augustine 354-430 the recovery.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... For when Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us;" [2877]
he understood indeed that if the Father were shown him, it might well ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

Sufficeth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sufficeth (3 Occurrences). John 14:8 Philip saith unto
him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/s/sufficeth.htm - 7k

Sufficiency (18 Occurrences)

/s/sufficiency.htm - 12k

Purchaser (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:28 And if his hand have not found what sufficeth for him to restore
it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of the purchaser ...
/p/purchaser.htm - 7k

Acquired (32 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Leviticus 25:26 And if the man have no one having right of redemption,
and his hand have acquired and found what sufficeth for its redemption, (DBY). ...
/a/acquired.htm - 16k

Suffices (2 Occurrences)

/s/suffices.htm - 7k

Philip (37 Occurrences)
... During the address of Jesus to His disciples after the Last Supper, Philip made
the request, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (John 14:8). 2 ...
/p/philip.htm - 32k

Shew (226 Occurrences)
... might take him. (KJV YLT). John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us
the Father, and it sufficeth us. (KJV DBY YLT). John 14:9 ...
/s/shew.htm - 39k

Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:26 And if the man have no one having right of redemption, and his hand
have acquired and found what sufficeth for its redemption, (DBY YLT NAS). ...
/r/redemption.htm - 48k

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