What Does ‘Therefore’ Mean In The Bible?

The word ‘therefore’ is commonly used in the Bible to connect thoughts and ideas. It’s an important word that often indicates a conclusion, summary, or application based on what was previously stated.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: In the Bible, ‘therefore’ is used to introduce logical conclusions, inferences, and declarations that follow from previous statements or events.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the varied meanings and usages of ‘therefore’ across both the Old and New Testaments. With over 100 examples from Scripture, you’ll gain clarity on how this term functions to link concepts, commandments, and promises in God’s Word.

The Meanings and Usages of ‘Therefore’ in Scripture

‘Therefore’ as a Logical Connector

The word ‘therefore’ is commonly used in the Bible to make logical connections between ideas, events, commands, or promises. It links a conclusion or consequence to a previous statement or event. For example, Romans 5:1 states “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“ Here, ‘therefore’ connects the conclusion – that we have peace with God – to the previous statement about being justified by faith.

Some statistics show that ‘therefore’ appears over 500 times in the Bible across various translations (1). This frequent usage demonstrates how often biblical authors use logical connections and reasoning in communicating theological truths.

‘Therefore’ Introducing Commands or Instructions

‘Therefore’ can also precede commands, instructions, or exhortations based on doctrinal truths. Paul states in Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

“ Because of the merciful gospel he has expounded, Paul therefore commands believers to live sacrificially.

Additionally, after explaining how Jesus is superior to the Old Testament prophets and priests, the author of Hebrews says “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus. “ Due to Christ’s preeminence, the writer therefore urges focus on Jesus.

‘Therefore’ Highlighting Promises or Blessings

In some passages, ‘therefore’ precedes promised blessings or benefits. For example, 2 Corinthians 4:16 states “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. “ Despite suffering, Paul had an eternal perspective.

The promised renewal therefore gave him perseverance.

Similarly, Jesus told his disciples in Mark 10:29-30, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age…and in the age to come eternal life.” Those who sacrifice for Jesus will therefore receive blessings.

Old Testament Usages of ‘Therefore’

The word “therefore” is used frequently throughout the Old Testament to indicate logical conclusions or inferences. Here are some key ways it is used:

Transitioning Between Ideas

“Therefore” often serves as a transition word connecting one idea or event to a resulting idea, action, or consequence. For example:

• “Therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring disaster upon them that they cannot escape.'” (Jeremiah 11:11). Here, “therefore” links God’s anger at Israel’s disobedience to His pronouncement of impending judgment.
• “Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith.” (1 Samuel 17:51). David’s courage in facing Goliath results in his defeating the giant.

Logical Conclusions

“Therefore” can also introduce logical conclusions drawn from previous statements or events. For example:

• “Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12). Because of their advanced age, Sarah doubted she and Abraham could conceive a child.
• “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee.” (Numbers 21:7). Having undergone judgment for their complaining, the people confessed and repented.

Summarizing Previous Content

At times, “therefore” serves to summarize preceding material before introducing a new section or conclusion:

• “Therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11). After detailing the week of creation, Moses reiterates that God blessed and sanctified the seventh day.

As these examples illustrate, “therefore” is a versatile term in the Old Testament used to logically connect ideas, highlight inferences, and transition between concepts. Its varied functions help give coherence and cohesion to biblical narratives and arguments.

New Testament Usages of ‘Therefore’

The word “therefore” is used frequently throughout the New Testament to draw conclusions based on previous teachings or events. Here are some notable usages of “therefore” in the New Testament and what they refer to:

Transitioning to Applications of Jesus’ Teachings

“Therefore” is often used by New Testament writers when transitioning from Jesus’ teachings to the implications or applications of those teachings. For example:

• “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).
• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…Therefore do not worry” (Matthew 6:34, 31).

Drawing Deductions from Jesus’ Identity

The writers also use “therefore” to transition from statements about Jesus’ identity to conclusions that should be drawn as a result. For instance:

• “I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him….Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?'” (John 10:30-32).
• “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

Applying Theological Principles

“Therefore” is used to make logical connections between theological principles and their outworkings. Paul uses this construction frequently in passages such as:

• “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12).
• “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

The Theological Significance of ‘Therefore’

The word ‘therefore’ plays an important theological role in the Bible. It is used over 500 times across both the Old and New Testaments to connect truths, draw conclusions, and reveal important spiritual insights based on what precedes the statement.

Connecting Truths

‘Therefore’ often links passages of Scripture together by showing that a later truth or command is based on an earlier truth or event. For example, Ephesians 2:1 says “You were dead in your trespasses and sins.”

Ephesians 2:4 then starts with “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us…” and verse 5 concludes, “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

“

The use of ‘therefore’ connects the earlier reality of being dead in sin to the later truth of salvation by grace.

Drawing Conclusions

In his letters, Paul frequently starts paragraphs with ‘Therefore’ when summarizing conclusions based on previous theological points. A clear example is Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here, Paul draws the conclusion that because we are justified, we can have a peaceful relationship with God. He builds truth upon truth, line upon line, revealing profound mysteries of the gospel.

Revealing Spiritual Insights

‘Therefore’ transitions make important spiritual connections between biblical texts or truths. Deuteronomy 7:9 states “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God.” The use of ‘therefore’ links the command to know God to the attributes and promises of God detailed earlier in chapter 7.

Similarly, 1 Corinthians 15:58 concludes Paul’s lengthy chapter on resurrection by exhorting, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

The ‘therefore’ connects the hope and truth of future resurrection to present perseverance in Christ.

A Logical Progression

Ultimately, the 500+ uses of ‘therefore’ in Scripture help create a logical, progressive revelation of truth about God, humanity, sin, salvation, faith, grace, obedience, and eternity. Line upon line, precept upon precept, God’s full nature is made known across 66 books written by over 40 authors over 1500+ years.

The thread that ties it all together? Untold numbers of purposeful ‘therefore’s showing that the Bible interprets itself and unfolds truth upon truth from Genesis to Revelation.

Conclusion

In summary, the term ‘therefore’ serves an important logical and rhetorical function in Scripture. It links concepts and reveals the basis for the biblical authors’ commands, promises, and declarations about God and his purposes.

With a deeper grasp of ‘therefore,’ Bible readers can better follow the flow of thought across paragraphs and chapters. We see how theological truths connect, inferences unfold, and practical instructions stem directly from spiritual principles in God’s Word.