A well-wisher is someone who expresses good intentions or desires for the well-being and success of others. In the context of the Bible, the concept of a well-wisher aligns with the broader biblical themes of love, kindness, and community support. The Scriptures encourage believers to act as well-wishers, promoting peace and goodwill among individuals and communities.

Biblical Principles of Well-wishing

1. Love and Kindness: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of love and kindness as foundational to the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , the Apostle Paul describes love as patient and kind, not envious or boastful, and always protective, trusting, hopeful, and persevering. These attributes are essential for a well-wisher, who seeks the best for others without selfish motives.

2. Encouragement and Support: The New Testament encourages believers to support and uplift one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." A well-wisher actively participates in the encouragement and edification of others.

3. Peace and Reconciliation: Well-wishers are often peacemakers, striving to maintain harmony and resolve conflicts. Matthew 5:9 declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." This beatitude highlights the value placed on those who seek peace and reconciliation, embodying the spirit of a well-wisher.

4. Praying for Others: Intercessory prayer is a powerful expression of well-wishing. James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." Praying for others' needs and well-being is a profound way to express goodwill.

Examples of Well-wishers in the Bible

1. Jonathan and David: The friendship between Jonathan and David is a classic example of well-wishing. Despite Jonathan's father, King Saul, viewing David as a threat, Jonathan remained loyal to David, seeking his safety and success. 1 Samuel 18:3 notes, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself."

2. Ruth and Naomi: Ruth's loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi exemplifies well-wishing through selfless devotion. Ruth 1:16-17 records Ruth's commitment: "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."

3. Paul's Letters: The Apostle Paul often expressed well-wishing in his epistles, praying for the spiritual growth and well-being of the early Christian communities. In Philippians 1:3-5 , Paul writes, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."

The Role of Well-wishers in the Christian Community

Well-wishers play a vital role in fostering a supportive and loving Christian community. By embodying the principles of love, encouragement, peace, and prayer, they contribute to the spiritual and emotional well-being of others. The Bible calls believers to be well-wishers, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions and relationships.

Whether Almsgiving is a Matter of Precept?
... his well-doers, according to 1:Jn.3:18: "Let us not love in word, nor in tongue,
but in deed, and in truth." And in order to be a person's well-wisher and well ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether almsgiving is a matter.htm

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... [The owner of the ass was no doubt a disciple or well-wisher of Jesus, and
therefore readily consented to respond to the Master's need. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cv jesus triumphal entry into.htm

Let the Inner Ear of the virgin Also...
... that it may not easily again lay wait; and if there be any thing of this sort, she
teaches you, who is now by time fixed, by love a well-wisher, by natural ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 24 let the inner.htm

Whether we are Bound to Love the Demons Out of Charity?
... For it is an essential part of friendship that one should be a well-wisher towards
one's friend; and it is impossible for us, out of charity, to desire the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we are bound to.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... interpretation upon another's words. Love is a well-wisher, and it is rare
to speak ill of him we wish well to. Love is that which ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

The Preface
... cleaving to the law and to the testimony, would be the joy, and is the earnest desire
of one, impartial reader, who remains thy friend and well-wisher in the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the preface.htm

Recommendation.
... calculate: And with all I beg thy fervent and earnest intercessions for grace, and
more grace, to him who is thy poor, yet soul's well-wisher and servant, for ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/recommendation.htm

Extracts No. X.
... Your friend and well wisher. J. BUCKMINSTER. * * * *. LETTER IV. FROM THE REV. HOSEA
BALLOU TO THE REV. JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER. PORTSMOUTH, JAN.11, 1810. Rev. ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no x.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Well-wisher (1 Occurrence)
Well-wisher. Well-watered, Well-wisher. Well-wishers .
Multi-Version Concordance Well-wisher (1 Occurrence). Psalms ...
/w/well-wisher.htm - 6k

Well-watered (6 Occurrences)
Well-watered. Well-tried, Well-watered. Well-wisher . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NIV). Well-tried, Well-watered. Well-wisher . ...
/w/well-watered.htm - 8k

Well-wishers (1 Occurrence)
Well-wishers. Well-wisher, Well-wishers. Weltering . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Well-wisher, Well-wishers. Weltering . Reference Bible.
/w/well-wishers.htm - 6k

Friend (139 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and
affection that he seeks his society aud welfare; a well-wisher; an intimate ...
/f/friend.htm - 40k

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