Boldness, urgency and persistence in appealing to others; seen in making requests of all kinds, presenting the gospel and giving Christian instruction; seen too in God's patient and persistent pleading with people.
Making requests of others
Genesis 19:3 Lot prevails on his angelic visitors to stay with him; Genesis 39:10 Potiphar's wife propositions Joseph; Numbers 22:37 Balak summons Balaam; Judges 14:16–17 Samson's wife presses for the answer to his riddle; Judges 16:6–16 Delilah nags Samson to know the secret of his strength; 2 Kings 2:16–17 Elisha is requested to authorise a search for Elijah; Esther 3:3–4 Royal officials plead with Mordecai; Esther 8:3 Esther pleads with the king; Proverbs 19:7 A poor man pleads in vain with fair-weather friends; Jeremiah 38:26 Jeremiah pleads with King Zedekiah; Luke 23:23 The crowds call for Jesus Christ to be crucified; Acts 12:16 Peter knocks on the door after his release from prison; Acts 25:3 The chief priests urge that Paul be taken to Jerusalem; 2 Corinthians 8:4 The Macedonian churches ask to share in the giving to God's people; Philippians 4:2 Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to agree.
Importunity in preaching the gospel
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
Persistence
Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Urgent appeal
With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
Boldness
Acts 19:8 See also Acts 4:29, Acts 4:31, Acts 9:27, Acts 14:3, Acts 18:26, Acts 28:31; Philippians 1:14
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
Persuasion
2 Corinthians 5:11 See also Acts 18:4, Acts 19:8, Acts 26:28
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
Importunity in giving instruction
2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:1 See also Romans 15:15; Acts 13:43; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 4:12; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:10
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you — I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
God's persistent appeal
God's repeated call to individuals
Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy.
Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
God's appeal to his wayward people
2 Chronicles 36:15; Jeremiah 7:13; Matthew 21:35–37 Finally, God sends his Son. See also Jeremiah 7:25, Jeremiah 11:7, Jeremiah 25:3–4, Jeremiah 26:5, Jeremiah 29:19, Jeremiah 32:33, Jeremiah 35:14–15, Jeremiah 44:4
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place.
And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,
But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Again, he sent other servants, more than the first group. But the tenants did the same to them. Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.