Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8600 Prayer and worship of the believer  »  8652 importunity  »  8654 importunity, towards people

Boldness, urgency and persistence in appealing to others; seen in making requests of all kinds, presenting the gospel and giving Christian instruction; seen too in God's patient and persistent pleading with people.

Making requests of others

Genesis 19:3 Lot prevails on his angelic visitors to stay with him; Genesis 39:10 Potiphar's wife propositions Joseph; Numbers 22:37 Balak summons Balaam; Judges 14:16-17 Samson's wife presses for the answer to his riddle; Judges 16:6-16 Delilah nags Samson to know the secret of his strength; 2 Kings 2:16-17 Elisha is requested to authorise a search for Elijah; Esther 3:3-4 Royal officials plead with Mordecai; Esther 8:3 Esther pleads with the king; Proverbs 19:7 A poor man pleads in vain with fair-weather friends; Jeremiah 38:26 Jeremiah pleads with King Zedekiah; Luke 23:23 The crowds call for Jesus Christ to be crucified; Acts 12:16 Peter knocks on the door after his release from prison; Acts 25:3 The chief priests urge that Paul be taken to Jerusalem; 2 Corinthians 8:4 The Macedonian churches ask to share in the giving to God's people; Philippians 4:2 Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to agree.

Importunity in preaching the gospel

2 Corinthians 5:20

Persistence

Acts 5:42

Urgent appeal

Acts 2:40

Boldness

Acts 19:8 See also Acts 4:29,31; Acts 9:27; Acts 14:3; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:31; Philippians 1:14

Persuasion

2 Corinthians 5:11 See also Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8; Acts 26:28

Importunity in giving instruction

2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:1 See also Romans 15:15; Acts 13:43; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 4:12; Ephesians 4:1,17; 1 Thessalonians 4:10

God's persistent appeal

God's repeated call to individuals

1 Samuel 3:8; John 21:17

God's appeal to his wayward people

2 Chronicles 36:15; Jeremiah 7:13; Matthew 21:35-37 Finally, God sends his Son. See also Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 11:7; Jeremiah 25:3-4; Jeremiah 26:5; Jeremiah 29:19; Jeremiah 32:33; Jeremiah 35:14-15; Jeremiah 44:4

See also

1095  God, patience of
7751  persuasion
7754  preaching
8202  boldness
8318  patience
8424  evangelism
8459  perseverance
8489  urgency
8636  asking