The term "waxeth" is an archaic English word found in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, derived from the Old English "weaxan," meaning "to grow" or "to increase." In the context of the Bible, "waxeth" is used to describe the process of growth, increase, or becoming. It is often used in a metaphorical sense to describe spiritual, moral, or physical changes.

Biblical Usage:

1. Spiritual Growth and Maturity:
The concept of waxing is frequently used to describe spiritual growth and maturity. In Ephesians 4:15 , the Apostle Paul encourages believers to "speak the truth in love," so that they may "grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ." Although the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "waxeth," the idea of growing in faith and spiritual maturity is central to the Christian life.

2. Moral and Ethical Decline:
Conversely, "waxeth" can also describe a decline in moral or ethical standards. In Matthew 24:12 , Jesus warns, "Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Here, the increase of wickedness leads to a decrease in love, illustrating a negative form of waxing.

3. Physical and Natural Growth:
The term is also used to describe natural growth processes. In Genesis 8:5 (KJV), it is written, "And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen." While the BSB translates this passage without the term "waxeth," the concept of the waters decreasing is akin to a reverse waxing, highlighting the natural ebb and flow of creation.

4. Temporal and Seasonal Changes:
The Bible often uses waxing to describe temporal changes, such as the waxing and waning of the moon or the changing of seasons. In Psalm 104:19 , it is stated, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its place of setting." Although "waxeth" is not used here, the cyclical nature of the moon's phases is implied.

Theological Implications:

The use of "waxeth" in Scripture underscores the dynamic nature of both the physical and spiritual realms. It serves as a reminder of the constant change inherent in creation and the spiritual journey. For believers, the concept of waxing is a call to continual growth in faith, love, and righteousness, while also serving as a warning against moral and spiritual decline.

Related Concepts:

· Sanctification: The process of becoming more like Christ, which involves spiritual growth and maturity.
· Apostasy: A falling away or decline in faith, often associated with moral and ethical waxing cold.
· Creation: The natural order and its cycles, reflecting God's design and sovereignty.

In summary, "waxeth" is a multifaceted term that captures the essence of growth and change within the biblical narrative, whether it be spiritual, moral, or natural.

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth. .
... Such are the proud vauntings of infidelity, when "iniquity abounds and the love
of many waxeth cold." So when Christ hung on the cross, and when he slept in ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iii the declensions of.htm

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Duty to New and Old Man.
... 22 That ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that
waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/nineteenth sunday after trinity duty.htm

The Truth in Jesus.
... him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning
your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the truth in jesus.htm

And what Members of the Holy Body, which is the Church...
... arrogance, "Woe unto the world because of offenses?" [2159] Dost thou not tremble,
lest thou be accounted among the many, whose "love waxeth cold, because that ...
/.../augustine/of holy virginity /section 40 and what members.htm

Prosperity and Adversity are from the Lord
... There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion
of his reward: when he saith, I have found rest, and now will I eat of my goods ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii prosperity and adversity are.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... Hence the love of many waxeth cold; and I have often thought, was it possible, that
this single consideration would be sufficient to raise our venerable ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in his Death.
... As his outward man decayeth, so his inward man increaseth, and waxeth stronger;
when the speech of his tongue faltereth, the sighs of his heart speak louder ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/2 meditations of the blessed.htm

(On the Mysteries. Ii. )
... powers made their lair in your members, ye may no longer wear that old garment;
I do not at all mean this visible one, but the old man, which waxeth corrupt in ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xx on the mysteries.htm

First Catechetical Lecture of Our Holy Father Cyril,
... Put off, by confession [467] , the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts
of deceit, that ye may put on the new man, which is renewed according to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/first catechetical lecture of our.htm

How that a Man's Affection is Marvelously Changed in Ghostly ...
... away. Nevertheless yet ever among he feeleth pain, but he thinketh that
it shall have an end, for it waxeth ever less and less. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 5.htm

Waxeth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Waxeth (5 Occurrences). Ephesians ... old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (KJV ASV). ...
/w/waxeth.htm - 7k

Waxen (12 Occurrences)

/w/waxen.htm - 10k

Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... shadow. (See JPS). Psalms 6:7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth
old because of all mine adversaries. (See JPS). Psalms ...
/v/vexation.htm - 18k

Waxing (1 Occurrence)

/w/waxing.htm - 6k

Wasteth (10 Occurrences)
... place. (YLT). Psalms 6:7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth
old because of all mine adversaries. (ASV DBY). Psalms ...
/w/wasteth.htm - 8k

Increases (24 Occurrences)
... captive. (WEB). Psalms 49:16 Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when
the wealth of his house is increased; (See RSV NIV). Psalms ...
/i/increases.htm - 12k

Decayeth (4 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/decayeth.htm - 7k

Dimmed (3 Occurrences)
... shadow. (See JPS). Psalms 6:7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth
old because of all mine adversaries. (See JPS). Ecclesiastes ...
/d/dimmed.htm - 7k

Wax (32 Occurrences)
... ASV). Job 17:9 Yet the righteous holdeth on his way, and he that hath clean
hands waxeth stronger and stronger. (Root in JPS ASV). ...
/w/wax.htm - 18k

Holds (67 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB RSV NIV). Job 17:9 Yet the righteous holdeth on his way, and he
that hath clean hands waxeth stronger and stronger. (See RSV). ...
/h/holds.htm - 26k

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