The term "availed" is derived from the verb "avail," which means to be of use or benefit, to help, or to serve a purpose. In the context of the Bible, "availed" often refers to the effectiveness or efficacy of prayer, faith, or righteous actions in achieving a desired outcome or in fulfilling God's will.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Prayer and Righteousness: One of the most notable uses of the concept of availing in the Bible is found in the context of prayer and righteousness. James 5:16 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse emphasizes the effectiveness of the prayers of those who live in accordance with God's will. The righteousness of the individual is key to the prayer's power, suggesting that a life aligned with God's commandments enhances the efficacy of one's petitions to God.

2. Faith and Works: The idea of availing is also closely linked to the relationship between faith and works. In James 2:14-26, the discussion revolves around the notion that faith without works is dead. The implication is that faith, when accompanied by righteous actions, avails much in the sight of God. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that genuine faith manifests in actions that reflect God's love and commandments.

3. Intercession and Advocacy: The concept of availing is also present in the role of intercession and advocacy. In the Old Testament, figures like Moses and Abraham interceded on behalf of others, and their prayers availed much in altering the course of events or in obtaining mercy from God (Exodus 32:11-14; Genesis 18:22-33). These instances highlight the power of intercessory prayer and the role of a mediator in availing God's grace and intervention.

4. Christ's Sacrifice: The ultimate example of availing is found in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. His atoning death and resurrection availed for the salvation of humanity, providing a means for reconciliation with God. Hebrews 9:12 states, "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." Christ's sacrifice is the definitive act that availed for the redemption of mankind, demonstrating the profound efficacy of His work on the cross.

Theological Implications

The concept of availing in the Bible underscores the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, characterized by righteousness, faith, and obedience. It highlights the power of prayer and the necessity of aligning one's life with God's will to experience the full efficacy of divine intervention. Moreover, it points to the centrality of Christ's redemptive work as the ultimate act that avails for the salvation of believers, emphasizing the sufficiency and supremacy of His sacrifice.

In summary, "availed" in the biblical context refers to the effectiveness of actions, particularly those rooted in faith and righteousness, in achieving God's purposes and receiving His blessings. It serves as a reminder of the power of prayer, the necessity of righteous living, and the unparalleled efficacy of Christ's atoning work.(imp. & p. p.) of Avail.

Argument: that Even if God be Said to have Nothing Availed the ...
... Chapter XXXIII."Argument: That Even If God Be Said to Have Nothing Availed the Jews,
Certainly the Writers of the Jewish Annals are the Most Sufficient ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxxiii argument that even if.htm

How the Holy Man, Egbert, Would have Gone into Germany to Preach ...
... How the holy man, Egbert, would have gone into Germany to preach, but could not;
and how Wictbert went, but because he availed nothing, returned into Ireland ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ix how the holy.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... And I have the more readily availed myself of it, as I have been reluctantly forced
to the conclusion that even the Midrashim preserved to us have ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

John i. 49, 50
... For the answer was not that of one rejecting his mother, but of One who would show
that her having borne Him would have nothing availed her, had she not been ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxi john i 49.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... How would The Crucified have availed so greatly, had He not been God that took upon
Him Man, even if He had through the Prophet foretold no such things to come ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

The Wisdom of God in the Means Used to Propagating the Gospel.
... The rod of Moses, when stretched out by divine order, availed to bring all those
plaques on Egypt, by which God made himself known and feared. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ii the wisdom of.htm

Cicero's Opinion of the Roman Republic.
... For neither would the citizens have availed without the morality of the community,
nor would the morality of the commons without outstanding men have availed ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 ciceros opinion of the.htm

"Give Heed unto Me," the Church Says unto You; Give Heed unto Me ...
... against Me. Where, to show that they availed nothing by slaying Him Who
was about to rise again, He adds and says; "What? will not ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /7 give heed unto me.htm

Jehovah
... They are like a man I have heard of, with a heavy load on his back, who was given
a lift by a friend, and who thankfully availed himself of it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 6 jehovah.htm

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
... Boniface availed himself of the help of the secular power, to guard his churches
and cloisters from the devastations of the barbarous heathen, to secure the ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/boniface apostle of the germans.htm

Availed (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Avail. Multi-Version Concordance
Availed (2 Occurrences). Matthew 27:24 And Pilate, seeing ...
/a/availed.htm - 7k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but we patiently endure all things
rather than hinder in the least degree the progress of the Good News of the ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Guiltless (29 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:24 And Pilate, seeing that it availed nothing, but that rather a tumult
was arising, having taken water, washed his hands before the crowd, saying ...
/g/guiltless.htm - 15k

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)
... Shunammite (2 Kings 4:8-37) who provided in her house special accommodation for
Elisha, which suited his simple tastes, and of which he availed himself as ...
/g/gehazi.htm - 19k

Endure (90 Occurrences)
... Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but we patiently endure all things
rather than hinder in the least degree the progress of the Good News of the ...
/e/endure.htm - 33k

Exile (101 Occurrences)
... When Cyrus granted permission to the Jews to return to their own land (Ezra 1:5;
7:13), only a comparatively small number at first availed themselves of the ...
/e/exile.htm - 43k

Purim (5 Occurrences)
... As the narrative shows, the wisdom of Mordecai, Esther's heroism, and fasting and
prayer availed to foil the dastardly scheme of Haman, who had already built ...
/p/purim.htm - 16k

Progress (9 Occurrences)
... Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but we patiently endure all things
rather than hinder in the least degree the progress of the Good News of the ...
/p/progress.htm - 10k

Pur (3 Occurrences)
... As the narrative shows, the wisdom of Mordecai, Esther's heroism, and fasting and
prayer availed to foil the dastardly scheme of Haman, who had already built ...
/p/pur.htm - 15k

Patiently (25 Occurrences)
... Yet we have not availed ourselves of the right, but we patiently endure all things
rather than hinder in the least degree the progress of the Good News of the ...
/p/patiently.htm - 14k

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