In the biblical context, the concept of being "unsuccessful" is often associated with the absence of divine favor, disobedience to God's commandments, or a lack of faith. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the spiritual and moral dimensions of success and failure.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, success is frequently linked to obedience to God's laws and commands. For instance, in Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Verses 15-20 describe the consequences of turning away from God's commandments: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you... The LORD will send curses, confusion, and rebuke in everything you do, until you are destroyed and quickly perish because of the wickedness of your actions in forsaking Me" (Deuteronomy 28:15, 20). Here, being unsuccessful is directly tied to a failure to adhere to God's will.

The account of King Saul serves as a poignant example of unsuccessful leadership due to disobedience. Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites led to his rejection as king. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, the prophet Samuel declares, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" .

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of success is often redefined in spiritual terms. Jesus teaches that worldly success is not the ultimate goal; rather, spiritual faithfulness and the pursuit of God's kingdom are paramount. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . Here, success is measured by one's relationship with God and alignment with His purposes.

The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 illustrates the futility of earthly success without spiritual richness. The rich man, who hoarded wealth without regard for his soul, is called a fool by God: "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?' This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:20-21).

Spiritual Implications

The Bible emphasizes that true success is found in faithfulness to God and His commandments. In Joshua 1:8, God promises Joshua success if he meditates on the Law and obeys it: "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do" . This verse underscores the principle that spiritual success is rooted in a life dedicated to God's word and His will.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the trials and challenges faced by believers, yet he considers them opportunities for spiritual growth and perseverance. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" . This perspective suggests that what may appear as failure or lack of success in worldly terms can be a means of achieving spiritual maturity and hope.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently points to a deeper understanding of success and failure, one that transcends material or temporal achievements. The Scriptures call believers to evaluate their lives through the lens of faithfulness to God, obedience to His commandments, and the pursuit of His kingdom.(a.) Not successful; not producing the desired event; not fortunate; meeting with, or resulting in, failure; unlucky; unhappy.2209. zemia -- damage
... Cognate: 2209 -- damage (detriment); a mercantile term for ""; a "bad deal"
(unsuccessful business transaction) which results in a (, forfeiture). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2209.htm - 6k

3155. maten -- in vain, to no purpose
... Accusative case of a derivative of the base of massaomai (through the idea of tentative
manipulation, ie Unsuccessful search, or else of punishment); folly, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3155.htm - 6k

His Unsuccessful Attempt to be Consistent with his Own Statements ...
... Book I. Section 40. His unsuccessful attempt to be consistent with his own
statements after Basil has confuted him. For notice how ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 40 his unsuccessful attempt.htm

But Now John was Afraid for Himself, Since his Treachery had ...
... Section 20. But now John was afraid for himself, since his treachery had
proved unsuccessful.? 20. But now John was afraid for ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 20 but now john.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... obloquy and misfortune. It was unkind and unjust to taunt me with having
been unsuccessful in distributing the Scriptures. Allow me ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 48.htm

On the Life and Poetic Genius of Edward Young.
... intimate; whom he taught to speak good Latin in the space of six weeks; and who
lent him money to reimburse him for the expenses of an unsuccessful attempt to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/on the life and poetic.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... history. From one point of view the Church of England seemed to be signally
successful; from another, signally unsuccessful. Intellectually ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

The Life of Captain John Paton.
... the kingdom. After which the captain returned home, when he saw how fruitless
and unsuccessful this expedition had been. About this ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of captain john.htm

The Life of Flavius Josephus
... perfidiousness of the? Section 20. But now John was afraid for himself, since
his treachery had proved unsuccessful.? Section 21. But now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the life of flavius josephus/

Preface.
... Even the attempt to do it, though unsuccessful, would not be without its reward;
since it could not be fairly made without a most salutary moral and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ware/hints on extemporaneous preaching/preface.htm

Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel
... First offerings in the ministry Is unsuccessful in business Removes to Bentham His
views on the Christian ministry Visit of Hannah Field Is recorded a minister ...
/.../memoir and diary of john yeardley minister of the gospel/title page.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... the gospel in that direction, like many others of a similar character which had
been made to benefit the Catholic population, were unsuccessful, the prospects ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Unsuccessful (2 Occurrences)
... unlucky; unhappy. Multi-Version Concordance Unsuccessful (2 Occurrences).
Philippians 1:22 But since to live means a longer stay ...
/u/unsuccessful.htm - 7k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... In the time of David Damascus was an Aramean city, which assisted the neighboring
Aramean states in their unsuccessful wars against David (2 Samuel 8:5 f ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Unsuccoured (1 Occurrence)

/u/unsuccoured.htm - 6k

Under (4325 Occurrences)
... phrases; as, to bring under, to reduce to subjection; to subdue; to keep under,
to keep in subjection; to control; to go under, to be unsuccessful; to fail. ...
/u/under.htm - 8k

Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not fortunate; unsuccessful; not prosperous; unlucky; attended with misfortune;
unhappy; as, an unfortunate adventure; an unfortunate man; an ...
/u/unfortunate.htm - 7k

Unsubjected (1 Occurrence)

/u/unsubjected.htm - 6k

Ginath (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GINATH. gi'-nath (ginath): Father of Tibni, the
unsuccessful rival of Omri (1 Kings 16:21, 22). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/g/ginath.htm - 7k

Implies (4 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:22 But since to live means a longer stay on earth, that implies more
labour for me--and not unsuccessful labour; and which I am to choose I ...
/i/implies.htm - 7k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... Rezin, king of Damascus, into which they tried to force Ahaz, even going the length
of besieging him in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:5). The siege was unsuccessful. ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... Rezin, king of Damascus, into which they tried to force Ahaz, even going the length
of besieging him in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:5). The siege was unsuccessful. ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

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