The term "us-ward" is an archaic English expression found in the King James Version of the Bible, often replaced in modern translations with phrases like "toward us" or "for us." It is used to describe God's actions, intentions, or feelings directed towards humanity, particularly His people. This term encapsulates the relational aspect of God's dealings with His creation, emphasizing His benevolence, patience, and love.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Patience and Longsuffering:
The concept of "us-ward" is prominently featured in discussions of God's patience and longsuffering. In 2 Peter 3:9 , the apostle Peter writes, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Here, the term "us-ward" (in the KJV) highlights God's desire for all to reach repentance, underscoring His merciful nature and His willingness to delay judgment to allow more people to turn to Him.

2. God's Love and Grace:
The expression also reflects the profound love and grace God extends to humanity. Ephesians 2:4-5 states, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." The "us-ward" aspect here is God's initiative in salvation, demonstrating His love and grace towards us, despite our sinful state.

3. Divine Provision and Care:
God's provision and care for His people are also encapsulated in the "us-ward" concept. In Psalm 115:12 , it is written, "The LORD has remembered us; He will bless us." This verse reflects God's ongoing commitment to bless and provide for His people, ensuring their needs are met and their well-being is secured.

4. Covenantal Faithfulness:
The term can also be seen in the context of God's covenantal faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 7:9 , it is declared, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." The "us-ward" aspect here is God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that His love and commitment extend to His people across generations.

Theological Implications:

The use of "us-ward" in Scripture underscores the personal and relational nature of God's interaction with humanity. It highlights His active involvement in the lives of His people, characterized by patience, love, grace, provision, and faithfulness. This term serves as a reminder of the intimate relationship God desires with His creation and His ongoing work in the world to bring about His redemptive purposes. Through "us-ward" actions, believers are assured of God's constant presence and His unwavering commitment to their ultimate good and salvation.

Two Innumerable Series
... 'Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts
which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/two innumerable series.htm

In How Many Ways "Throughwhom" is Used; and in what Sense "With ...
... God" [832] through Christ. Is then the confession of the grace wrought by
Him to usward a detraction from His glory? Is it not truer ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter viii in how many.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience ...
... 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.19 For the earnest ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity consolation.htm

Why is it that Our Lord Has Tarried Till Now? Why Has not the ...
... The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 why is it that.htm

The Measure of Immeasurable Power
... what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to
the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ.'"Ephesians 1:19 ...
/.../the measure of immeasurable power.htm

Ephesians i. 15-20
... is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints, and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe ...
/.../homily iii ephesians i 15-20.htm

Perseverance Proved.
... 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, 20. Which ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlix perseverance proved.htm

Wisdom and Revelation.
... hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vii wisdom and revelation.htm

Difficulties and Objections
... The verse we are now considering tells us: "but His longsuffering to us-ward."
And whom are the "us-ward"?-the human race, or God's own people? ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eleven difficulties and objections.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

Us-ward (4 Occurrences)
Us-ward. Usury, Us-ward. Uta . Multi-Version Concordance Us-ward
(4 Occurrences). Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the ...
/u/us-ward.htm - 7k

Usury (17 Occurrences)

/u/usury.htm - 15k

Uta

/u/uta.htm - 6k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... So, "to God-ward" (Exodus 18:19 2 Corinthians 3:4 1 Thessalonians 1:8); "to
thee-ward" (1 Samuel 19:4); "to us-ward" (Psalm 40:5 Ephesians 1:19 2 Peter 3:9 ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Compared (29 Occurrences)
... Psalms 40:5 Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done,
And thy thoughts which are to us-ward; They cannot be set in order unto thee ...
/c/compared.htm - 14k

Slack (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/s/slack.htm - 12k

Slackness (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/s/slackness.htm - 7k

Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/l/longsuffering.htm - 16k

Mighty (514 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward
who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (KJV WBS NIV). ...
/m/mighty.htm - 36k

Willing (152 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but ...
/w/willing.htm - 35k

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