Definition and Context:
The term "stimulate" generally refers to the act of encouraging or provoking a response, action, or increased activity. In a biblical context, stimulation can relate to spiritual, emotional, or intellectual encouragement that leads to growth, action, or deeper understanding. The Bible often speaks of stimulation in terms of encouraging one another in faith, love, and good deeds.

Biblical References:

1. Hebrews 10:24 : "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds."
· This verse highlights the importance of mutual encouragement within the Christian community. The word "spur" can be understood as a form of stimulation, urging believers to actively engage in acts of love and service. The context of this passage emphasizes the communal aspect of faith, where believers are called to inspire and motivate each other towards righteousness and good works.

2. Proverbs 27:17 : "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
· This proverb illustrates the concept of mutual stimulation through interpersonal relationships. Just as iron sharpens iron, believers are encouraged to engage with one another in ways that promote spiritual growth and maturity. The sharpening process implies a form of stimulation that leads to improved character and wisdom.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing."
· Here, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Thessalonian church to continue in their practice of encouragement. The act of building one another up can be seen as a form of stimulation, where believers are urged to support and uplift each other in their faith journey. This encouragement is vital for maintaining spiritual vitality and perseverance.

4. 2 Timothy 1:6 : "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."
· Paul’s instruction to Timothy to "fan into flame" the gift of God is a call to stimulate and nurture the spiritual gifts bestowed upon him. This metaphor of fanning a flame suggests an active effort to cultivate and enhance one's spiritual abilities, ensuring they are used effectively for God's purposes.

Theological Implications:

· Spiritual Growth: Stimulation in the Christian life is often linked to spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are encouraged to engage in practices and relationships that foster a deeper understanding of God and His will. This includes studying Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and service.

· Community and Fellowship: The concept of stimulation is closely tied to the idea of Christian community. The New Testament frequently emphasizes the role of the church as a body where members support and encourage one another. This mutual stimulation is essential for maintaining unity and strength within the body of Christ.

· Moral and Ethical Living: Stimulation towards love and good deeds is a recurring theme in Scripture. Believers are called to live out their faith through actions that reflect the character of Christ. This involves a proactive approach to living ethically and morally, inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

· Personal Responsibility: While community plays a significant role, there is also an element of personal responsibility in stimulating one's own faith. Believers are encouraged to actively seek ways to grow and develop their spiritual lives, utilizing the gifts and resources God has provided.

Practical Application:

· Encouragement in Daily Life: Christians are encouraged to be intentional in their interactions, seeking to uplift and inspire others in their walk with Christ. This can be done through words of affirmation, acts of kindness, and sharing of Scripture.

· Active Participation in Church: Engaging in church activities, small groups, and ministries provides opportunities for mutual stimulation and growth. Being part of a community that values encouragement and support is crucial for spiritual development.

· Personal Devotion and Study: Regular personal devotion and study of the Bible are essential for stimulating one's faith. This practice helps believers to remain grounded in truth and equipped for every good work.

By understanding and applying the biblical concept of stimulation, believers can foster an environment of growth, encouragement, and active faith within themselves and their communities.1. (v. t.) To excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion; as, to stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory.

2. (v. t.) To excite; to irritate; especially, to excite the activity of (a nerve or an irritable muscle), as by electricity.

3947. paroxuno -- to sharpen, fig. to stimulate, to provoke
... to stimulate, to provoke. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paroxuno Phonetic
Spelling: (par-ox-oo'-no) Short Definition: I provoke, irritate Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3947.htm - 7k

1892. epegeiro -- to rouse up, excite
... to rouse up, excite. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epegeiro Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-eg-i'-ro) Short Definition: I arouse, stimulate, excite against ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1892.htm - 6k

4292. prokaleo -- to call forth, challenge
... forth, challenge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prokaleo Phonetic Spelling:
(prok-al-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I provoke, stimulate Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4292.htm - 6k

2042. erethizo -- to stir up
... provoke. From a presumed prolonged form of eris; to stimulate (especially to anger) --
provoke. see GREEK eris. (erethizete) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2042.htm - 6k

3863. parazeloo -- to provoke to jealousy
... provoke to jealousy. From para and zeloo; to stimulate alongside, ie Excite to rivalry
-- provoke to emulation (jealousy). see GREEK para. see GREEK zeloo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3863.htm - 7k

3948. paroxusmos -- stimulation, provocation
... See 3947 (). Word Origin from paroxuno Definition stimulation, provocation NASB
Word Usage sharp disagreement (1), stimulate (1). contention, provoke unto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3948.htm - 7k

3951. parotruno -- to urge on, to stir up
... stir up. From para and otruno (to spur); to urge along, ie Stimulate (to hostility) --
stir up. see GREEK para. (parotrunan) -- 1 Occurrence. 3950, 3951. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3951.htm - 6k

4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... led (1), long blast (2), make a long blast (1), march (1), prolong (1), prolonged
(1), pulled (3), sounds a long blast (1), sows (1), stimulate (1), stretched ...
/hebrew/4900.htm - 6k

5496. suth -- to incite, allure, instigate
... Perhaps denominative from shayith; properly, to prick, ie (figuratively) stimulate;
by implication, to seduce -- entice, move, persuade, provoke, remove, set on ...
/hebrew/5496.htm - 6k

By Confession He Desires to Stimulate Towards God his Own Love and ...
... Book XI. Chapter I."By Confession He Desires to Stimulate Towards God His
Own Love and That of His Readers. 1. O Lord, since eternity ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter i by confession he desires.htm

Jerome. Lives of Illustrious Men. Preface.
... the Greeks, and among the Latins by Varro, [2328] Santra, [2329] Nepos, [2330] Hyginus,
[2331] and by him through whose example you seek to stimulate [2332] us ...
/.../ii jerome lives of illustrious.htm

Preface
... and activity languish, the interests of religion are likely to languish in proportion;
while, on the other hand, whatever is calculated to stimulate their zeal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/preface.htm

The Prudent Steward.
... The difficulty lies in this, that the specimen of worldly prudence presented in
order to suggest and stimulate spiritual prudence in securing the interests of ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxv the prudent steward.htm

The Strait Gate;
... lovers of Jesus Christ; while it is so strait, that no others can by any means enter
in." This is a subject calculated to rouse and stimulate all genuine ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Knox Little -- Thirst Satisfied
... away by such a great activity; but that great activity I submit to your deeper,
quieter English Sunday thought"that activity will stimulate, will delight ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/knox little thirst satisfied.htm

The Measure of Immeasurable Power
... Ephesians 1:19, 20. 'The riches of the glory of the inheritance' will sometimes
quench rather than stimulate hope. He can have little ...
/.../the measure of immeasurable power.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... The half-inspired painter, poet, musician, who began by soothing opiates to calm
the over-excited nerves, or stimulate the exhausted brain, who mistook the ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

Purifying the Soul
... When the purpose is to stimulate to action, man's part is put in the
foreground and God's part secondarily. When the purpose is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/purifying the soul.htm

The Promises of the Christian Home.
... How the anticipation of this should stimulate Christian parents to increased fidelity;
oh, what a happy meeting will that be, when husband and wife, parent and ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxv the promises of.htm

Stimulate (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To excite, rouse, or animate, to action or more vigorous exertion; as, to
stimulate one by the hope of reward, or by the prospect of glory. ...
/s/stimulate.htm - 7k

Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as from death or
an inanimate state; hence, to excite; to, stimulate; to incite. ...
/q/quicken.htm - 13k

Irritate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To annoy; to inflame; to render null and void. 2. (vt) To increase the action
or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate. ...
/i/irritate.htm - 7k

Goad (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to rouse by anything
pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming; to stimulate. Int. ...
/g/goad.htm - 9k

Whet (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite;
to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage. ...
/w/whet.htm - 8k

Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... The immature flowers harbor small insects which convey pollen to the female flowers
and by their irritating presence stimulate the growth of the fruit. ...
/f/fig-tree.htm - 26k

Figtree
... The immature flowers harbor small insects which convey pollen to the female flowers
and by their irritating presence stimulate the growth of the fruit. ...
/f/figtree.htm - 15k

Fan (8 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a flame; to stimulate;
as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace. Int. ...
/f/fan.htm - 12k

Relish (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (n.) That which is used to impart a flavor; specifically, something taken with
food to render it more palatable or to stimulate the appetite; a condiment. ...
/r/relish.htm - 7k

Effort (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A force acting on a body in the direction of its motion. 3. (vt) To
stimulate. Multi-Version Concordance Effort (16 Occurrences). ...
/e/effort.htm - 11k

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