Striven
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The term "striven" is derived from the verb "strive," which means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something, or to struggle or fight vigorously. In the context of the Bible, "striven" often refers to the spiritual and moral efforts of individuals or groups in their pursuit of righteousness, obedience to God, and the advancement of His kingdom.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of striving is frequently associated with the struggles of the Israelites as they sought to remain faithful to God's commandments amidst various challenges. The Hebrew word often translated as "strive" is "riyb," which can mean to contend, dispute, or plead. This is seen in passages where God contends with His people due to their disobedience or where individuals contend with one another.

For example, in Genesis 6:3, God declares, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be 120 years." Here, the striving of God's Spirit with humanity is indicative of His patience and desire for repentance, yet it also underscores the limits of His forbearance in the face of persistent sin.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "agonizomai" is often used, which conveys the idea of striving or struggling, particularly in a spiritual or moral sense. This term is used in the context of the Christian life as a race or a battle that requires perseverance and dedication.

Jesus Himself uses this term in Luke 13:24, where He instructs, "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." This passage emphasizes the effort required to live a life of faith and obedience, highlighting the narrow path that leads to salvation.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the imagery of striving in his epistles to describe the Christian's spiritual journey. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, he writes, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." Here, Paul likens the Christian life to an athletic contest, where discipline and effort are necessary to achieve the ultimate prize of eternal life.

Spiritual Warfare and Striving

The concept of striving is also closely linked to the theme of spiritual warfare. Believers are called to strive against the forces of evil, as described in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage underscores the reality of the spiritual battle and the need for believers to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God.

Striving for Unity and Peace

In addition to personal spiritual growth, the Bible also speaks of striving for unity and peace within the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:3, Paul exhorts believers to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." This striving involves humility, patience, and love, as believers work together to reflect the unity that is found in Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of striving encompasses a range of spiritual and moral efforts, from personal sanctification to communal harmony. It is a call to active engagement in the Christian life, marked by perseverance, discipline, and a reliance on God's strength to overcome the challenges and opposition faced in the pursuit of holiness and the advancement of God's kingdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. p.) of Strive.

2. (p. p) of Strive.

Strong's Hebrew
8280. sarah -- to persist, exert oneself, persevere
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to persist, exert oneself, persevere NASB Word
Usage contended (1), striven (1), wrestled (1). have power as a prince. ...
/hebrew/8280.htm - 6k
Library

The Prodigal's Return
... And I have a man here who is convinced of the unholiness of his life, and he has
striven to reform, not because he thinks reformation would save him, for he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the prodigals return.htm

A Call to the Unconverted
... Hast thou never been disobedient in thy youth? Hast thou never kicked against
a mother's love, and striven against a father's rebuke? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a call to the unconverted.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... Slander thence hath always been a principal engine whereby covetous, ambitious,
envious, ill-natured, and vain persons have striven to supplant their ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Evolution in General
... to that of all other things in Nature, "all other things" have that to gain by the
alliance which philosophy and theology for centuries have striven to win for ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/i evolution in general.htm

Miracles of Destruction.
... Here was an opportunity in their very path of enforcing, by a visible sign proceeding
from himself, one of the most important truths he had striven to teach ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/x miracles of destruction.htm

A Christmas Sermon
... IV. To look back upon the past year, and see how little we have striven and to what
small purpose: and how often we have been cowardly and hung back, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stevenson/a christmas sermon/iv.htm

The Christian Home
... and make life worth living. According as this ideal is striven for, and
attained, will the true home be realized. Many a man has ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study x the christian home.htm

Christians Proved Innocent by their Contempt of Death.
... because we persuade men to avoid such instruction, and all who practise them and
imitate such examples, as now in this discourse we have striven to persuade you ...
/.../chapter xii christians proved innocent by.htm

Preface.
... I have at the same time striven continually to keep in mind the wonderful unity
and simplicity there is in it, as centred in the person of Jesus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/preface.htm

Grundtvig's Hymns
... In the pride of his youth he had striven, as he once complained, to win
the laurel wreath, but had found it to be an empty honor. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fifteen grundtvigs hymns.htm

Thesaurus
Striven (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Striven (10 Occurrences). 2 Timothy 4:7 the good strife
I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept, (YLT). ...
/s/striven.htm - 9k

Strived (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) Striven. Multi-Version Concordance Strived
(1 Occurrence). Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to ...
/s/strived.htm - 6k

Strife (71 Occurrences)
... strife. (WEB KJV ASV YLT). 2 Timothy 4:7 the good strife I have striven, the
course I have finished, the faith I have kept, (YLT). Titus ...
/s/strife.htm - 27k

Calleth (261 Occurrences)
... of Gerar strive with shepherds of Isaac, saying, 'The water 'is' ours;' and he calleth
the name of the well 'Strife,' because they have striven habitually with ...
/c/calleth.htm - 35k

Weren't (25 Occurrences)
... 24 I have laid a snare for you, and you are also taken, Babylon, and you weren't
aware: you are found, and also caught, because you have striven against Yahweh ...
/w/weren't.htm - 13k

Removeth (27 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:22 And he removeth from thence, and diggeth another well, and they have
not striven for it, and he calleth its name Enlargements, and saith, 'For ...
/r/removeth.htm - 14k

Enlargement (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:22 And he removeth from thence, and diggeth another well, and they have
not striven for it, and he calleth its name Enlargements, and saith, 'For ...
/e/enlargement.htm - 10k

Embitter (2 Occurrences)
... Paul's First Letter to Timothy (See NIV). Genesis 49:23 And embitter him --
yea, they have striven, Yea, hate him do archers; (YLT). ...
/e/embitter.htm - 7k

Enlargements (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 26:22 And he removeth from thence, and diggeth another well, and they have
not striven for it, and he calleth its name Enlargements, and saith, 'For ...
/e/enlargements.htm - 6k

Diggeth (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 26:22 And he removeth from thence, and diggeth another well, and they have
not striven for it, and he calleth its name Enlargements, and saith, 'For ...
/d/diggeth.htm - 8k

Resources
Striven: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Striven (10 Occurrences)

2 Timothy 4:7
the good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept,
(YLT)

Genesis 26:20
and shepherds of Gerar strive with shepherds of Isaac, saying, 'The water 'is' ours;' and he calleth the name of the well 'Strife,' because they have striven habitually with him;
(YLT)

Genesis 26:22
And he removeth from thence, and diggeth another well, and they have not striven for it, and he calleth its name Enlargements, and saith, 'For -- now hath Jehovah given enlargement to us, and we have been fruitful in the land.'
(YLT)

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
(See JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Genesis 49:23
And embitter him -- yea, they have striven, Yea, hate him do archers;
(YLT)

Numbers 20:13
These 'are' waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel have 'striven' with Jehovah, and He is sanctified upon them.
(YLT)

Numbers 26:9
and the sons of Eliab 'are' Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram; this 'is that' Dathan and Abiram, called ones of the company, who have striven against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, in their striving against Jehovah,
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 33:7
And this 'is' for Judah; and he saith: -- Hear, O Jehovah, the voice of Judah, And unto his people do Thou bring him in; His hand hath striven for him, And an help from his adversaries art Thou.
(YLT)

Job 33:13
Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?
(See JPS YLT)

Jeremiah 50:24
I have laid a snare for you, and you are also taken, Babylon, and you weren't aware: you are found, and also caught, because you have striven against Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Subtopics

Striven

Related Terms

Striven (10 Occurrences)

Reprover (7 Occurrences)

Strivers (1 Occurrence)

Instructed (80 Occurrences)

Strived
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