Definition and Concept
Readiness, in a biblical context, refers to a state of being prepared, willing, and eager to act or respond, particularly in spiritual matters. It encompasses both a mental and spiritual preparedness to follow God's will, engage in good works, and respond to the needs of others. This concept is deeply rooted in the Christian life, emphasizing vigilance, alertness, and a proactive stance in faith and practice.

Biblical References

1. Spiritual Readiness
Spiritual readiness is a recurring theme in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to be prepared for the return of Christ and to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus instructs, "For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect." This verse underscores the importance of living in a constant state of readiness for the Lord's return.

2. Readiness to Serve
The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of readiness in the context of service and good works. In 2 Timothy 4:2, he exhorts Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction." This readiness involves being equipped and willing to serve God and others at all times.

3. Readiness to Give
Readiness also pertains to generosity and the willingness to give. In 2 Corinthians 9:2, Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their eagerness to help, saying, "For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise." This reflects a heart prepared to contribute to the needs of others.

4. Readiness for Battle
The metaphor of spiritual warfare is used to describe the Christian life, where readiness is crucial. Ephesians 6:15 speaks of the "readiness of the gospel of peace" as part of the armor of God, indicating that believers must be prepared to stand firm in their faith and proclaim the gospel.

Theological Implications

Readiness is not merely a passive state but an active engagement with one's faith. It involves a conscious decision to align one's life with God's purposes and to be alert to His leading. This readiness is cultivated through prayer, study of Scripture, and a life of obedience and service. It reflects a heart that is attuned to the Holy Spirit and responsive to God's call.

Practical Applications

1. Vigilance in Prayer and Study
Believers are encouraged to maintain a disciplined life of prayer and study of the Word to remain spiritually alert and ready for God's direction.

2. Active Participation in the Church
Readiness involves being actively involved in the life of the church, using one's gifts and talents to serve the body of Christ and the wider community.

3. Preparedness for Christ's Return
Christians are called to live with an eternal perspective, always ready for the return of Christ, which influences their daily decisions and priorities.

4. Generosity and Service
A readiness to give and serve reflects the love of Christ and is a tangible expression of faith in action. Believers are encouraged to be generous with their time, resources, and talents.

In summary, readiness in the biblical sense is a comprehensive preparedness that encompasses spiritual alertness, a willingness to serve, and an eagerness to give, all rooted in a deep commitment to following Christ.(n.) The state or quality of being ready; preparation; promptness; aptitude; willingness.4288. prothumia -- eagerness
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prothumia Phonetic Spelling:
(proth-oo-mee'-ah) Short Definition: inclination, readiness Definition: inclination ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4288.htm - 7k

2091. hetoimasia -- preparation
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hetoimasia Phonetic Spelling:
(het-oy-mas-ee'-ah) Short Definition: preparation, readiness Definition: foundation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2091.htm - 6k

2054. eris -- strife
... 2054 (a primitive word, dictionary) -- literally quarrel, strife; properly, a
readiness to quarrel (having a spirit), affection for dispute. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2054.htm - 6k

2093. hetoimos -- readily
... Word Origin adverb from hetoimos Definition readily NASB Word Usage ready (3). ready.
Adverb from hetoimos; in readiness -- ready. see GREEK hetoimos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2093.htm - 6k

2432. hilarotes -- cheerfulness
... Cognate: 2432 (a noun, derived from 2431 , "already won over, approving") -- "cheerful
readiness" (J. Thayer), ie the attitude that is ready to respond from a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2432.htm - 6k

3904. paraskeue -- preparation, the day of preparation (for a ...
... preparation. As if from paraskeuazo; readiness -- preparation. see GREEK paraskeuazo.
(paraskeue) -- 3 Occurrences. (paraskeuen) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3904.htm - 6k

4024. perizonnumi -- to gird
... Word Origin from peri and zonnumi Definition to gird NASB Word Usage clothe
(1), dressed in readiness (1), gird (1), girded (3). gird. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4024.htm - 7k

6261. itti -- timely, ready
... 6260, 6261. itti. 6262 . timely, ready. Transliteration: itti Phonetic
Spelling: (it-tee') Short Definition: readiness. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6261.htm - 6k

4117. mahar -- to acquire by paying a purchase price
... A primitive root (perhaps rather the same as mahar through the idea of readiness
in assent); to bargain (for a wife), ie To wed -- endow, X surely. ...
/hebrew/4117.htm - 6k

2818. chashach -- to need
... careful, have need of. (Aramaic) a collateral root to one corresponding to chuwsh
in the sense of readiness; to be necessary (from the idea of convenience) or ...
/hebrew/2818.htm - 6k

God's Readiness to Answer Prayer
... THE NEW TESTAMENT GOD'S READINESS TO ANSWER PRAYER. Jesus said: "Ask and
you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/gods readiness to answer prayer.htm

Fun and Mischief. His Little Cousin and the "Gnats. " the Aurora ...
... Another Bee Scrape. Justification by Faith alone. Readiness to Fight. Love of Justice. ...
Justification by Faith alone. Readiness to Fight. Love of Justice. ...
/.../chapter iv fun and mischief.htm

Of Sisinnius Bishop of the Novatians. His Readiness at Repartee.
... Book VI. Chapter XXII."Of Sisinnius Bishop of the Novatians. His Readiness
at Repartee. It will not be out of place here, I conceive ...
/.../chapter xxii of sisinnius bishop of.htm

'They that were Ready'
... I. What makes readiness? There have been many answers given to that question. ...
The five who had lamps and oil. To have these was readiness. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/they that were ready.htm

2 Cor. viii. 7
... "That as there was the readiness to will, so also [there may be] the completion
also out of your ability.". That this good work halt ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvii 2 cor viii.htm

Letter cxcix. Canonica Secunda.
... When you thus learn the causes of my delay, forgive me. I have been quite
astonished at your readiness to learn and at your humility. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxcix canonica secunda.htm

The Waiting Maidens
... faithful, wise dispensing of his lord's goods, and not his watchfulness, which was
the point of the eulogium passed on him, so here it is the readiness of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the waiting maidens.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... Then he adds,. "To the glory of the same Lord, and to show your readiness [832] ."
What he means is this: We thought good,' he says, that he should be chosen ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

"And He is the Propitiation,"
... difficulty to attain to a solid and quieting persuasion of the grounds of the gospel:
they would find much ado to settle that point of the readiness of God, to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvii and he is.htm

Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel
... I wish that readiness to believe the dark sayings could be turned to an equal
readiness to receive the consolations of the Word of God. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/jacob and doubting soulsa parallel.htm

Readiness (17 Occurrences)
...Readiness (17 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 1:5 that you have been so richly blessed
in Him, with readiness of speech and fulness of knowledge. (WEY). ...
/r/readiness.htm - 11k

Forwardness (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality of being forward; cheerful readiness;
promptness; as, the forwardness of Christians in propagating the gospel. ...
/f/forwardness.htm - 13k

Forward (252 Occurrences)
... affairs. As an adjective it has the sense of "readiness," "willingness,"
etc. The adverb only is found in the Old Testament. It ...
/f/forward.htm - 42k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:7 Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of
speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

Willingness (3 Occurrences)
... (n.) The quality or state of being willing; free choice or consent of the will;
freedom from reluctance; readiness of the mind to do or forbear. ...
/w/willingness.htm - 7k

Fit (47 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify;
to put into a condition of readiness or preparation. ...
/f/fit.htm - 23k

Eagerness (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily ...
/e/eagerness.htm - 8k

Readily (22 Occurrences)

/r/readily.htm - 13k

Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... God did not spare angels when they had sinned, but hurling them down to Tartarus
consigned them to caves of darkness, keeping them in readiness for judgement. ...
/j/judgement.htm - 26k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... The Berean Jews showed a greater readiness to examine the new teaching than those
of Thessalonica, and the work of the apostle was more fruitful there, both ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

What is the readiness of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Readiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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