In the context of the Bible, the concept of "waits" or "waiting" is deeply intertwined with themes of faith, patience, and trust in God's timing. The act of waiting is often portrayed as a spiritual discipline that reflects a believer's reliance on God's promises and sovereignty.

Old Testament Context

The Hebrew word most commonly translated as "wait" is "qavah," which conveys a sense of hope and expectation. One of the most well-known verses that encapsulate this idea is found in Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint" . Here, waiting is associated with renewal and divine empowerment, suggesting that those who patiently trust in God will be sustained and invigorated.

In the Psalms, waiting is frequently linked with trust and deliverance. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" . This verse underscores the importance of courage and strength in the waiting process, implying that waiting is not passive but an active stance of faith.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "apekdechomai" is often used to describe waiting, particularly in the context of eagerly anticipating Christ's return. Romans 8:23-25 speaks to this anticipation: "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" . This passage highlights the eschatological aspect of waiting, where believers look forward to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

Waiting in the biblical sense is not merely a passive state but an active expression of faith. It involves trusting in God's timing and His ultimate plan for humanity. The act of waiting is often accompanied by prayer, reflection, and a deepening of one's relationship with God. It is a time of preparation and growth, where believers are called to remain steadfast and hopeful.

The Bible presents waiting as a test of faith, where the believer's trust in God's promises is refined and strengthened. James 5:7-8 advises, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near" . This analogy of the farmer illustrates the necessity of patience and the assurance of eventual fulfillment.

Practical Application

For believers, waiting is an integral part of the Christian journey. It requires a posture of humility and submission to God's will. In times of waiting, Christians are encouraged to seek God's presence, immerse themselves in Scripture, and remain active in their faith communities. The discipline of waiting can lead to spiritual maturity, as it cultivates virtues such as patience, perseverance, and hope.

In summary, the biblical concept of waiting is rich with spiritual significance, calling believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain faithful amidst uncertainty. Through waiting, Christians are invited to deepen their reliance on God and to anticipate the fulfillment of His promises with hope and expectation.1551. ekdechomai -- to take or receive, by impl. to await, expect
... impl. to await, expect NASB Word Usage expect (1), looking (1), wait (1),
waiting (3), waits (1). expect, look for, wait for. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1551.htm - 7k

553. apekdechomai -- to await eagerly
... to await eagerly NASB Word Usage awaiting eagerly (1), eagerly await (1), eagerly
wait (1), wait eagerly (1), waiting (2), waiting eagerly (1), waits eagerly (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/553.htm - 8k

1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... diakoneo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ak-on-eh'-o) Short Definition: I wait at table,
serve Definition: I wait at table (particularly of a slave who waits on guests ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

3175. yachil -- waiting
... waiting. Transliteration: yachil Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-kheel') Short Definition:
waits. Word Origin from yachal Definition waiting NASB Word Usage waits (1). ...
/hebrew/3175.htm - 6k

6960a. qavah -- to wait for
... root Definition to wait for NASB Word Usage eagerly waits (1), expect (1), expected
(3), hope (3), hoped (1), hopefully wait (1), hoping (1), look (1), look ...
/hebrew/6960a.htm - 5k

2442. chakah -- to wait, await
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to wait, await NASB Word Usage long (2), longs
(1), wait (7), waited (1), waiting (1), waits (3). long, tarry, wait. ...
/hebrew/2442.htm - 6k

8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... 1), reserved (1), secured (1), sentries (1), spare (1), spies (1), take care (1),
take heed (5), take note (1), take...heed (1), waiting (1), waits (1), watch ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

"Christ Also Waits. "
... The Past Failure "Christ also Waits.". ... "The restless millions wait the light, Whose
coming maketh all things new. Christ also waits; but men are slow and late. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/christ also waits.htm

God Waits for Man. August 12.
... God waits for Man. August 12. Patiently, nobly, magnanimously, God waits;
waits for the man who is a fool, to find out his own folly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /god waits for man august.htm

My Soul with Patience Waits
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Communion: Introits 314. My soul with patience waits.
SM ... DOXOLOGY. My soul with patience waits. For thee, the living Lord: ...
/.../holy communion introits 314 my.htm

In that Flesh in which the Saints have Suffered So Many ...
... that flesh in which the saints have suffered so many afflictions, they shall receive
the fruits of their labours; especially since all creation waits for this ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxii in that flesh in.htm

Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
... Patiently, nobly, magnanimously, God waits"waits for the man who is a fool, to find
out his folly; waits for the heart which has tried to find pleasure in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iii out of the deep.htm

Entrance into Rest.
... And so God waits, and Christ waits, and the Holy Spirit waits, to give victory every
day; not freedom from temptation; no, not that; but in union with Christ a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iv entrance into rest.htm

God's Waiting and Man's
... grace. It is not a mere passive standing by, till the fit conditions are
seen in us; but He 'is exalted' while He waits, ie. lifted ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/gods waiting and mans.htm

The Objection from the Unchangeableness of God is Answered from ...
... of vengeance, but rather the working out of forgiveness, for these are His words:
"If thou shalt turn and lament, thou shalt be saved." [2942] He waits for our ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the objection from.htm

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
... He waits,"Infinity waits and draws while waiting,"Excellence waits, and waiting
transforms into excellence,"blessings wait, and attract while waiting ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ix covenanting sanctioned by.htm

The Waiting Christ.
... Come Lord Jesus.". But while He waits and the hour has not yet come we
must wait as He waits on the throne. To the Thessalonians ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the waiting christ.htm

Waits (21 Occurrences)
...Waits (21 Occurrences). ... I tell you in solemn truth, that He will tie an apron round
Him, and will bid them recline at table while He comes and waits on them. ...
/w/waits.htm - 11k

Expect (20 Occurrences)
... 3:15), is not as intense as ekdechomai (Hebrews 10:13), meaning to wait for that
of the realization of which one is assured ("as the husbandman waits for the ...
/e/expect.htm - 13k

Expectation (25 Occurrences)
... 3:15), is not as intense as ekdechomai (Hebrews 10:13), meaning to wait for that
of the realization of which one is assured ("as the husbandman waits for the ...
/e/expectation.htm - 15k

Position (189 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:27 For which is the greater--he who sits at table, or he who waits on him? ...
But my position among you is that of one who waits on others. (WEY). ...
/p/position.htm - 37k

Wake (34 Occurrences)

/w/wake.htm - 17k

1335 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 1335 (1 Occurrence). Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he who waits,
and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. (See NAS NIV) ...
/num/1335.htm - 6k

Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY). James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, until the Coming of the
Lord. Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! ...
/v/valuable.htm - 11k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... So Israel waits upon God's justice or cries out: "The justice due to me (literally,
"my justice") is passed away from my God" (Isaiah 40:27). ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Late (24 Occurrences)
... Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over
it, until it receives the early and late rain. (WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV). ...
/l/late.htm - 14k

What does it mean to wait on the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? | GotQuestions.org

Waits: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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