The term "needful" in the context of the Bible often refers to that which is necessary or essential for spiritual growth, life, and godliness. It is a concept that underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 10:41-42 : In the account of Mary and Martha, Jesus addresses Martha's anxiety and distraction with many tasks, saying, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her." Here, "needful" refers to the necessity of focusing on spiritual nourishment and the teachings of Jesus, as exemplified by Mary sitting at His feet.

2. Philippians 4:19 : The Apostle Paul writes, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." While the term "needful" is not directly used, the verse emphasizes God's provision for what is truly necessary for believers, aligning with the concept of needfulness in spiritual and material aspects.

3. 2 Peter 1:3 : "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." This passage highlights that through divine power, believers are equipped with all that is needful for living a godly life, emphasizing the sufficiency of God's provision.

Theological Implications:

The concept of what is "needful" often challenges believers to discern between temporal desires and eternal necessities. It calls for a focus on spiritual priorities, encouraging Christians to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This perspective aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who often pointed to the importance of spiritual over material wealth.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, understanding what is needful involves a commitment to prayer, study of the Scriptures, and a life of obedience to God's commands. It requires believers to evaluate their lives and priorities, ensuring that their focus remains on what is eternally significant. This may involve making difficult choices, such as setting aside time for worship and fellowship, even when worldly demands seem pressing.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, the concept of needfulness has been a guiding principle for many Christian communities and individuals. Monastic movements, for example, often emphasized simplicity and the renunciation of worldly possessions to focus on what is truly needful for spiritual growth. Similarly, reformers and revivalists have called the church back to a focus on the essentials of faith and practice.

Conclusion:

The biblical understanding of what is needful serves as a reminder of the sufficiency of Christ and the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters. It challenges believers to live with an eternal perspective, trusting in God's provision for all that is necessary for life and godliness.1. (a.) Full of need; in need or want; needy; distressing.

2. (a.) Necessary for supply or relief; requisite.

1189b. deon -- that which is needful
... 1189a, 1189b. deon. 1190 . that which is needful. Transliteration: deon Short
Definition: necessary. Word Origin a form of deo Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189b.htm - 5k

2006. epitedeios -- convenient, necessary
... things which are needful. From epitedes (enough); serviceable, ie (by implication)
requisite -- things which are needful. (epitedeia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2006.htm - 6k

316. anagkaios -- necessary
... necessary, needful. From anagke; necessary; by implication, close (of kin) -- near,
necessary, necessity, needful. see GREEK anagke. (anankaia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/316.htm - 7k

1163. dei -- it is necessary
... 4), needed (1), ought (17), ought to (1), should (9). needful, ought, should.
3d person singular active present of deo; also deon ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1163.htm - 7k

1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence
... the same as epiousa; tomorrow's; but more probably from epi and a derivative of
the present participle feminine of eimi; for subsistence, ie Needful -- daily. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1967.htm - 7k

318. anagke -- necessity
... ana and the base of agkale; constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication,
distress -- distress, must needs, (of) necessity(-sary), needeth, needful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/318.htm - 7k

2819. chashchuwth -- things needed
... 2818, 2819. chashchuwth. 2819a . things needed. Transliteration: chashchuwth
Phonetic Spelling: (khash-khooth') Short Definition: needful. be needful ...
/hebrew/2819.htm - 5k

One Thing is Needful;
... ONE THING IS NEEDFUL; or, SERIOUS MEDITATIONS UPON THE FOUR LAST THINGS: DEATH,
JUDGMENT, HEAVEN, AND HELL. ... GEO. OFFOR. ONE THING IS NEEDFUL,. OR. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

The one Thing Needful
... The One Thing Needful. A Sermon (No.1015). ... CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan
Tabernacle, Newington. "But one thing is needful.""Luke 10:42. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the one thing needful.htm

"It is Needful to See and to Know that we are Sinners: Wherefore ...
... ANENT CERTAIN POINTS IN THE FOREGOING FOURTEEN REVELATIONS CHAPTER XLVI "It is needful
to see and to know that we are sinners: wherefore we deserve pain and ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlvi it is needful.htm

2D Day. Needful Grace.
... 2D DAY. Needful Grace. "He is Faithful that Promised." "As thy days, so
shall thy strength be.""Deuteronomy 33:25. Needful Grace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the faithful promiser/2d day needful grace.htm

Ep. Lxxxviii. It was Needful that the Royal Image Should Adorn the ...
... Ep. LXXXVIII. It was needful that the Royal Image should adorn the Royal City.?
It was needful that the Royal Image should adorn the Royal City. ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep lxxxviii it was needful.htm

Whereas it is Needful that they who were Detained from the Holy ...
... Canon I. Whereas it is needful that they who were detained from the holy
Synod and remained? Whereas it is needful that they who ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon i whereas it is.htm

Give us Today Our Needful Bread
... CHAPTER XVII GIVE US TODAY OUR NEEDFUL BREAD. GIVE US TODAY OUR NEEDFUL BREAD
Give us today our Needful Bread, or as Luke has it, Give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xvii give us today.htm

What Pelagius Thinks is Needful for Ease of Performance is Really ...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 30 [XXIX.]"What
Pelagius Thinks is Needful for Ease of Performance is Really Necessary for ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 30 xxix what pelagius thinks.htm

God's Agency is Needful Even in Man's Doings.
... Book II. Chapter 20."God's Agency is Needful Even in Man's Doings. For
as it is said, "It is man's part to prepare his heart, and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 20 gods agency is needful.htm

Nor Should I Think it Needful to Discuss Whether God Pursues a ...
... Chapter III. Nor should I think it needful to discuss whether God pursues
a worthy course in? Nor should I think it needful to ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter iii nor should i.htm

Needful (17 Occurrences)
...Needful (17 Occurrences). Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen
that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV ASV WBS RSV). ...
/n/needful.htm - 11k

Convenient (11 Occurrences)
... the King James Version is replaced, in Proverbs 30:8 the Revised Version (British
and American), by "needful" (Hebrew choq), "feed me with the food that is ...
/c/convenient.htm - 11k

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... It is needful to insist on this fact, for the noble word "priest" has been
misappropriated and misapplied, so that its intrinsic import has been impaired. ...
/p/priesthood.htm - 40k

Needeth (7 Occurrences)

/n/needeth.htm - 8k

Prayer (406 Occurrences)
... It was left for Jesus the Son to give us the privilege of calling God "Our Father."
Of the adjective epiousion, "daily" or "needful," neither the origin nor ...
/p/prayer.htm - 80k

Needs (85 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good
unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers; (See NIV). ...
/n/needs.htm - 30k

Lord's (548 Occurrences)
... It was left for Jesus the Son to give us the privilege of calling God "Our Father."
Of the adjective epiousion, "daily" or "needful," neither the origin nor ...
/l/lord's.htm - 88k

Need (914 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That which is needful; anything necessary to be done; (pl.) necessary
things; business. 4. (n.) Situation of need; peril; danger. ...
/n/need.htm - 7k

Needed (59 Occurrences)
... James 2:16 and any one of you may say to them, 'Depart ye in peace, be warmed, and
be filled,' and may not give to them the things needful for the body, what ...
/n/needed.htm - 25k

Note (129 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To butt; to push with the horns. 2. (n.) Know
not; knows not. 3. (n.) Nut. 4. (n.) Need; needful business. ...
/n/note.htm - 37k

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