Wear-and-tear refers to the gradual deterioration or damage that occurs to objects, materials, or even living beings due to regular use or exposure to the elements over time. In a biblical context, this concept can be applied metaphorically to the human condition, spiritual life, and the physical world, reflecting the transient nature of earthly existence and the effects of sin and time.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

The Bible often uses imagery related to wear-and-tear to illustrate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitable decay of the material world. In Ecclesiastes 1:4, Solomon observes, "Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever." This verse highlights the contrast between the enduring nature of God's creation and the temporary existence of human life, which is subject to wear-and-tear.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the theme of physical and spiritual weariness. In 2 Corinthians 4:16, he writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day." Here, Paul acknowledges the physical wear-and-tear experienced by the human body but emphasizes the renewal and strengthening of the spirit through faith in Christ.

Spiritual Implications

Wear-and-tear can also be understood in terms of spiritual fatigue or the challenges faced by believers in their walk with God. The trials and tribulations of life can lead to spiritual weariness, as seen in Galatians 6:9: "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This verse encourages perseverance and faithfulness, reminding believers that spiritual wear-and-tear can be overcome through reliance on God's strength and promises.

The concept of wear-and-tear also serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual renewal and maintenance. Just as physical objects require care to prevent deterioration, so too do believers need regular spiritual nourishment through prayer, scripture, and fellowship with other Christians. Psalm 51:10 expresses this desire for renewal: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Eternal Perspective

While wear-and-tear is an inevitable part of earthly life, the Bible offers hope through the promise of eternal life and the restoration of all things. Revelation 21:4 provides a vision of a future where wear-and-tear will be no more: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This assurance of a new creation free from decay and suffering offers comfort and encouragement to believers enduring the wear-and-tear of the present world.

In summary, the concept of wear-and-tear in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the temporal nature of life, the challenges of spiritual endurance, and the hope of eternal renewal through faith in Jesus Christ.

Of the Same Argument.
... certainly, in all these bodily things thus employed in this work, whether animate
or inanimate, whatever took place of movement, of wear and tear, of reparation ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 of the same argument.htm

Sundry Passages of St. Paul which Attest Our Doctrine Rescued from ...
... could mean that corruption of the flesh which it undergoes from the moment of death,
in its appointed state of perpetual decay; but the wear and tear which for ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xl sundry passages of st.htm

Thrift. August 13.
... is thrift; saving of force; to get as much work as possible done with the least
expenditure of power, the least jar and obstruction, the least wear and tear. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /thrift august 13.htm

Secret of Thrift. June 7.
... of domestic economy saves income; knowledge of sanitary laws saves health and life:
knowledge of the laws of the intellect saves wear and tear of brain, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /secret of thrift june 7.htm

Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
... And do we not find that our Lord's words are true? Who are the people who get
through most work in their lives, with the least wear and tear? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iii out of the deep.htm

Chapter xiii.
... thesaurizare...??rugo et tinea domolitur. [362] Not the specific rust of metals;
wider sense of wear and tear. [363] Condere...tinea et ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xiii 2.htm

Continues to Evangelize. Dr. Cook's Prescription. Incident at ...
... up the saints in their most holy faith; but I had to be away from home a great deal,
and my exposure in all kinds of weather, and the wear and tear of constant ...
/.../chapter xvi continues to evangelize.htm

The New Covenant
... But is it really possible, amid the wear and tear of daily life, to walk in the
experience of these blessings? Are they really meant for all God's children? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter iv the new covenant.htm

Introduction
... known as the "canny" and the "dour," our worker early developed that robust vigour
of mind and body which has so long stood the wear and tear of severely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/introduction.htm

The Distracted Mind
... Who are the people who get through most work in their lives, with the least wear
and tear, not merely to their bodily health, but to their tempers and their ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxix the distracted mind.htm

Wear-and-tear (2 Occurrences)
Wear-and-tear. Wear, Wear-and-tear. Weareth . Multi-Version
Concordance Wear-and-tear (2 Occurrences). Matthew 6:19 ...
/w/wear-and-tear.htm - 7k

Destroy (379 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the
moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ...
/d/destroy.htm - 37k

Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the
moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (WEY BBE). ...
/w/wealth.htm - 40k

Weareth (4 Occurrences)

/w/weareth.htm - 7k

Destroys (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:20 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor
wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ...
/d/destroys.htm - 12k

Amass (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 6:20 But amass wealth for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor
wear-and-tear destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (WEY). ...
/a/amass.htm - 6k

Store (134 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the
moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ...
/s/store.htm - 39k

Stores (53 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up stores of wealth for yourselves on earth, where the
moth and wear-and-tear destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (WEY). ...
/s/stores.htm - 22k

Wear (56 Occurrences)

/w/wear.htm - 25k

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