Unfinished
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The concept of "unfinished" in the Bible often relates to the idea of incompleteness, whether in the context of human endeavors, spiritual growth, or divine plans. The notion underscores the ongoing nature of God's work in the world and in the lives of believers, emphasizing the need for perseverance, faith, and reliance on God's timing and wisdom.

Human Endeavors and Incompleteness

In the realm of human efforts, the Bible acknowledges that many projects and plans remain unfinished due to various reasons, such as human limitations, unforeseen circumstances, or divine intervention. A notable example is the Tower of Babel, where humanity's attempt to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens" was left incomplete due to God's intervention (Genesis 11:4-9). This account illustrates the futility of human pride and ambition when they are not aligned with God's will.

Spiritual Growth and Sanctification

The theme of being unfinished is also evident in the spiritual journey of believers. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in Philippians 1:6 , where he writes, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This verse highlights the ongoing process of sanctification, where believers are continually being transformed into the likeness of Christ. The work of sanctification is not completed in this life but is an ongoing process that will be perfected in the life to come.

Divine Plans and Fulfillment

The Bible also presents the idea that God's plans, though sometimes appearing unfinished from a human perspective, are always moving toward fulfillment. In the Old Testament, the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah were seen as unfinished until the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even now, believers await the completion of God's redemptive plan with the second coming of Christ, as described in Revelation 21:6 : "And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.'"

The Role of Faith and Perseverance

In light of the unfinished nature of many aspects of life and faith, the Bible encourages believers to exercise faith and perseverance. Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts Christians to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This passage reminds believers that while their journey may seem incomplete, they are to trust in Jesus, who is both the initiator and the completer of their faith.

The Church and the Great Commission

The mission of the Church, as given by Christ in the Great Commission, is another area where the concept of being unfinished is evident. Jesus instructed His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This mission remains ongoing, as the Church continues to spread the Gospel and make disciples until Christ's return. The unfinished task of evangelism calls for continued dedication and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the concept of "unfinished" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the limitations of human efforts, the ongoing nature of spiritual growth, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's divine plans. Believers are called to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain faithful in their journey, knowing that what is unfinished now will be completed in God's sovereign plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Not finished, not brought to an end; imperfect; incomplete; left in the rough; wanting the last hand or touch; as, an unfinished house; an unfinished picture; an unfinished iron casting.
Greek
562. aperantos -- unfinished, ie endless
... unfinished, ie endless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aperantos Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-er'-an-tos) Short Definition: unaccomplished, unending ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/562.htm - 6k
Library

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
... CHRIST'S FINISHED AND UNFINISHED WORK. ... There are no loose ends left, no unfinished
tasks drop from His nerveless hands, to be taken up and carried on by others. ...
/.../christs finished and unfinished work.htm

"The Earth was Invisible and Unfinished. "
... Homily II. "The Earth was Invisible and Unfinished.". ... In one word, what was the
unfinished condition of the earth? And for what reason was it invisible? ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ii the earth was.htm

Augustin Adduces a Passage Selected from the Preface of Julianus. ...
... (See "The Unfinished Work," i. 73.). ... Footnotes: [2202] He calls Florus
"most holy father" elsewhere (see The Unfinished Work, iv. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 iii augustin adduces a.htm

Book ii.
... him, the treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians, and the two treatises Against
Julian the last of which is usually called The Unfinished Work from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/book ii 2.htm

General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and ...
... First,"That the Gospel according to S. Mark, as it left the hands of its inspired
Author, was in this impeded or unfinished state; ending abruptly at (what ...
/.../chapter xii general review of.htm

General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and ...
... First,"That the Gospel according to S. Mark, as it left the hands of its inspired
Author, was in this imperfect or unfinished state; ending abruptly at (what ...
/.../chapter xii general review of.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... And what is a Christian, if he do not arrive at perfection, but an unfinished
dream? ... it never was completed, but was left unfinished. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

What is his Name?
... This unfinished name of God seems to me like a blank check signed by a rich friend
given to us to be filled in with whatever sum we may desire. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 2 what is his.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... "The earth," says Holy Scripture, "was without form and void""ie, invisible and
unfinished. The heavens and the earth were created together. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while
it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

Thesaurus
Unfinished (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not finished, not brought to an end; imperfect; incomplete; left in the rough;
wanting the last hand or touch; as, an unfinished house; an unfinished...
/u/unfinished.htm - 6k

Unfilled (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfilled.htm - 6k

Unfit (3 Occurrences)

/u/unfit.htm - 7k

Immature (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not full-grown; unripe; unfinished; as,
immature fruit; immature character; immature plans. 2. (a ...
/i/immature.htm - 6k

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... but died early. The son's tomb has been found at Thebes unfinished, showing
it was needed earlier than was expected. Some of the ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

First-born (110 Occurrences)
... but died early. The son's tomb has been found at Thebes unfinished, showing
it was needed earlier than was expected. Some of the ...
/f/first-born.htm - 41k

Crude (1 Occurrence)
... perfect; immature. 3. (superl.) Not reduced to order or form; unfinished; not
arranged or prepared; ill-considered; immature. 4. (superl ...
/c/crude.htm - 7k

Carcass (30 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The abandoned and decaying remains of some bulky and once comely thing,
as a ship; the skeleton, or the uncovered or unfinished frame, of a thing. ...
/c/carcass.htm - 18k

Cuth (1 Occurrence)
... than in earlier times. A portion of the ruins were in a very perfect state,
and suggested an unfinished building. 2. The Temple: The ...
/c/cuth.htm - 8k

Cuthah (2 Occurrences)
... than in earlier times. A portion of the ruins were in a very perfect state,
and suggested an unfinished building. 2. The Temple: The ...
/c/cuthah.htm - 9k

Resources
What is the all-seeing eye? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to hate our father and mother (Luke 14:26)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that all Cretans are liars? | GotQuestions.org

Unfinished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Titus 1:5
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Unfinished

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Unfilled
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