Subsisting, in a biblical context, refers to the state of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially in terms of basic needs such as food and shelter. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where reliance on God's provision is a recurring theme. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sustenance and the spiritual significance of depending on Him for daily needs.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, subsisting is frequently illustrated through the experiences of the Israelites. During their journey through the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven to sustain them. This miraculous provision is a profound example of God's care and the necessity of relying on Him for sustenance. Exodus 16:4 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day.'"

The concept of subsisting is also evident in the laws given to the Israelites, which include provisions for the poor and the needy. Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the community's responsibility to ensure that everyone has the means to subsist.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about subsisting through His emphasis on trusting God for daily needs. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses anxiety over material provisions, urging His followers to seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:31-33 records, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

The early Christian community also exemplified the principle of subsisting through mutual support and sharing of resources. Acts 2:44-45 describes, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This practice reflects the communal aspect of subsisting, where believers supported one another to ensure that no one lacked basic necessities.

Spiritual Implications

Subsisting is not merely a physical concern but also carries spiritual implications. The Bible teaches that true sustenance comes from God, who provides not only for physical needs but also for spiritual nourishment. Jesus, in John 6:35 , declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement highlights the ultimate source of sustenance, which is found in a relationship with Christ.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-13 , speaks of contentment in all circumstances, whether in abundance or need. He writes, "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This passage emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ in providing strength and contentment, regardless of material conditions.

In summary, the biblical concept of subsisting encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, urging believers to trust in God's provision and to support one another in community. Through faith in Christ, believers find true sustenance that transcends earthly needs.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Subsist.

Of the Harmony Subsisting Between the Three Evangelists in their ...
... Chapter LXXVII."Of the Harmony Subsisting Between the Three Evangelists in Their
Narratives of the Discourse Which He Delivered on the Mount of Olives, When ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxvii of the harmony subsisting.htm

Of the Harmony Subsisting Between Matthew and Mark in the Accounts ...
... Chapter LXII."Of the Harmony Subsisting Between Matthew and Mark in the Accounts
Which They Offer of the Time When He Was Asked Whether It Was Lawful to Put ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxii of the harmony subsisting.htm

Whether to be Created Belongs to Composite and Subsisting Things?
... THE MODE OF EMANATION OF THINGS FROM THE FIRST PRINCIPLE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
to be created belongs to composite and subsisting things? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether to be created belongs.htm

Of the Harmony in Respect of the Order of Narration Subsisting ...
... Chapter LXXVI."Of the Harmony in Respect of the Order of Narration Subsisting Between
Matthew and the Other Two Evangelists in the Accounts Given of the ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxxvi of the harmony in.htm

Of the Mockery which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort ...
... Chapter IX."Of the Mockery Which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort, and
of the Harmony Subsisting Among the Three Evangelists Who Report that Scene ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ix of the mockery which.htm

Whether the Union of the Incarnate Word Took Place in the Person?
... to the notion of the species, there would be no need to distinguish the nature from
the suppositum of the nature (which is the individual subsisting in this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the union of the 2.htm

Whether an Angel Knows Himself?
... Now, for the form to be the principle of the action, it makes no difference whether
it be inherent in something else, or self-subsisting; because heat would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel knows himself.htm

Whether a Name Can be Given to God?
... But concrete names do not belong to God, since He is simple, nor do abstract names
belong to Him, forasmuch as they do not signify any perfect subsisting thing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a name can be.htm

Whether this is True: "Christ as Man is a Hypostasis or Person"?
... Reply to Objection 1: It belongs to every man to be a person, inasmuch
as everything subsisting in human nature is a person. Now ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is true christ 4.htm

Whether the Exemplar Cause is Anything Besides God?
... Nom. v) that self-subsisting being is before self-subsisting life, and before
self-subsisting wisdom. On the contrary, The exemplar is the same as the idea. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the exemplar cause is.htm

Subsisting (1 Occurrence)
...Subsisting (1 Occurrence). Philippians 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did
not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; (DBY). ...
/s/subsisting.htm - 6k

Trinity
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A word not found in Scripture, but used to express the
doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. ...
/t/trinity.htm - 39k

Rapine (5 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an
object of rapine to be on an equality with God; (DBY). Nahum ...
/r/rapine.htm - 8k

Rapacious (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence;
as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird. ...
/r/rapacious.htm - 7k

Esteem (25 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Philippians 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem
it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; (DBY). ...
/e/esteem.htm - 17k

Calneh (2 Occurrences)
... and houses which enable the general conditions of life in ancient Babylonia to be
estimated, and suggest that they are similar to those subsisting even at the ...
/c/calneh.htm - 11k

Contribution (24 Occurrences)
... The phrase in the passage cited, literally rendered, would be "to exercise" or
"put fellowship into activity." The koinonia subsisting among believers because ...
/c/contribution.htm - 16k

Anthropomorphism
... It is of the essence of the religious consciousness to recognize the analogy subsisting
between God's relations to man, and man's relations to his fellow. ...
/a/anthropomorphism.htm - 20k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... The name is given to a form of Semitic speech, most nearly related to Hebrew and
Phoenician, but exhibiting marked peculiarities, and subsisting in different ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Subsistence (2 Occurrences)

/s/subsistence.htm - 7k

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Subsisting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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