Relentless
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The term "relentless" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both the nature of God and the perseverance expected of His followers. In a biblical context, "relentless" can describe the unwavering pursuit of God's purposes, the steadfastness of His love, and the perseverance required of believers in their faith journey.

God's Relentless Nature

God's relentless nature is most vividly seen in His pursuit of humanity and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. In the Old Testament, God's relentless love and faithfulness are evident in His dealings with Israel. Despite their repeated disobedience, God continually calls them back to Himself. In Hosea 11:8-9 , God expresses His unyielding compassion: "How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I hand you over, O Israel? ... My heart is turned within Me; all My compassion is aroused. I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath."

In the New Testament, God's relentless love is epitomized in the person of Jesus Christ. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son (Luke 15) illustrate God's persistent pursuit of the lost. Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) underscores the relentless nature of God's redemptive plan.

Relentless Faith and Perseverance

Believers are called to exhibit a relentless faith, characterized by perseverance and steadfastness. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts Christians to remain steadfast in their faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , he writes, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to run the race with endurance, fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). This call to perseverance is echoed in James 1:12 : "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

Relentless Prayer

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of relentless prayer. Jesus teaches the necessity of persistent prayer in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), where He encourages His followers to "always pray and not give up." The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 , urging believers to "pray without ceasing."

Relentless Opposition

While the concept of relentlessness is often positive, Scripture also acknowledges the relentless opposition believers may face. The Apostle Peter warns of the devil's relentless pursuit, describing him as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Believers are called to resist him, standing firm in their faith.

In summary, the concept of relentlessness in the Bible encompasses God's unwavering love and pursuit of humanity, the steadfast faith and perseverance required of believers, the necessity of persistent prayer, and the reality of relentless opposition from spiritual adversaries. Through it all, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast, trusting in God's relentless faithfulness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Unmoved by appeals for sympathy or forgiveness; insensible to the distresses of others; destitute of tenderness; unrelenting; unyielding; unpitying; as, a prey to relentless despotism.
Library

The Indestructibility of the Bible is a Proof that Its Author is ...
... and opposition. For two thousand years man's hatred of the Bible has been
persistent, determined, relentless and murderous. Every ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter eleven the indestructibility of.htm

Grundtvig's Hymns
... in the attempts of certain philosophical or theological phrasemakers to minimize
or explain away the eternal malignity of death, man's most relentless foe. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fifteen grundtvigs hymns.htm

The Papacy not the Antichrist
... to every kind of evil, cruelty, and excess, so as to surpass all who have been unjust
and impious before him; having a bloody and relentless and pitiless mind ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the papacy not the antichrist.htm

The Lonely Defender of the Bible
... And his judgment is often relentless, stripping both persons and events of the
glorified robes in which history and traditions invested them. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter twelve the lonely defender.htm

Delivered from Prison
... Remorse seized him; he remembered his relentless persecution of the followers of
Christ; he remembered his cruel command to slay the innocent James, and his ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

Sermon xxvii.
... allotments of the present life. Here the virtuous are often the objects of
hatred and relentless persecution. Here the man of ambition ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/sermon xxvii.htm

The Symbols of the Republic.
... It moves down the map of the world, as a glacier moves down the Alps, patient and
relentless, startling the jealous rivals that watch its course, and granting ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse iv the symbols of.htm

Felicitous Phrases
... coherent, interdependent, and logical. cold, cynical, and relentless. color,
intensity, and vivacity. comfort, virtue, and happiness. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iii felicitous phrases.htm

All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... veins, and swollen eyelids half-closed over the tired eyes!"he must have been a
sculptor of truth,"truth downright and relentless,"truth divested of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/i all the bells were.htm

Yet Speaking.
... The religious leaders of the age were pursuing Him with relentless malice, and would
have taken his life before the predestined hour had arrived, had He not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvi yet speaking.htm

Thesaurus
Relentless (1 Occurrence)
... sympathy or forgiveness; insensible to the distresses of others; destitute of
tenderness; unrelenting; unyielding; unpitying; as, a prey to relentless despotism ...
/r/relentless.htm - 6k

Unsparingly (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 14:6 He that smote the peoples in wrath with a relentless stroke, he that
ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted unsparingly. (DBY). ...
/u/unsparingly.htm - 8k

Rigor (8 Occurrences)
... winter. 6. (n.) Stiffness of opinion or temper; rugged sternness; hardness;
relentless severity; hard-heartedness; cruelty. 7. (n ...
/r/rigor.htm - 9k

Rigorous (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Exact; strict; severe; relentless; uncompromising; manifesting, exercising,
or favoring rigor; allowing no abatement or mitigation; scrupulously ...
/r/rigorous.htm - 7k

Relenting (3 Occurrences)

/r/relenting.htm - 7k

Relents (2 Occurrences)

/r/relents.htm - 7k

Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences)
... From that time down to the 8th campaign of Sennacherib, Sargon and his son pursued
with relentless animosity Merodach-Baladan and his family until at last his ...
/m/merodach-baladan.htm - 9k

Merodachbaladan (1 Occurrence)
... From that time down to the 8th campaign of Sennacherib, Sargon and his son pursued
with relentless animosity Merodach-Baladan and his family until at last his ...
/m/merodachbaladan.htm - 9k

Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... habits of an Oriental queen, were united the fiercest and sternest qualities inherent
in the old Semitic race", sought in the most relentless manner to ...
/p/persecution.htm - 47k

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)
... various uses of the word "cruel" in the Old Testament: (a) "the cruel (deadly) venom
of asps" (Deuteronomy 32:33); (b) spoken of men of relentless hate: "They ...
/c/cruelty.htm - 16k

Resources
What are some examples of unfailing love in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was the worship of Baal and Asherah a constant struggle for the Israelites? | GotQuestions.org

Relentless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Relentless (1 Occurrence)

Isaiah 14:6
He that smote the peoples in wrath with a relentless stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted unsparingly.
(DBY NIV)

Subtopics

Relentless

Related Terms

Reliable (8 Occurrences)

Relenting (3 Occurrences)

Relentless (1 Occurrence)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Curse (211 Occurrences)

Slow (43 Occurrences)

Merciful (53 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Tear (97 Occurrences)

Relenting
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