As you look at the image atop this article, you can’t help but to focus on the seemingly delicious red apple in the center. But if you look beyond it, you see an orchard full of apples, each tree brimming with fruit. That is a glimmer of what is meant in Scripture when it comes to the words fruitful and multiply, from being trees planted in the word of God and nourished by the Holy Spirit, to sharing all we’ve been blessed with for the glory and enjoyment of God.
Derivations of the word fruitful are found over 200 times in Scripture, and the word multiply is used in nearly 100 passages. When you think of the fruit of the Spirit, bearing fruit in the vine of Christ, and spreading the gospel to the whole world, you are just beginning to recognize the full extent of fruitful and multiply in Scripture. But only a small number of those instances refer to procreation, and even then, it required more than reproduction to support families, communities and nations. This short article focuses on a more comprehensive understanding of the term, ‘fruitful and multiplying.’ And it recognizes God's commandment to Adam in Genesis 1 applies all the way to Revelation 22, influencing everything we do to glorify and enjoy God more each and every day.
Procreation and Its Broader Implications
The mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" is first given in Genesis 1:28, where God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it." While this certainly includes the aspect of human reproduction, it also implies a broader responsibility for stewardship and the development of creation. This interpretation is supported by passages that emphasize the importance of wisdom, creativity, and innovation.
For instance, in Proverbs 3:9-10, we are encouraged to honor the Lord with our wealth and the firstfruits of our produce, which will result in overflowing barns and brimming vats. This passage suggests that fruitfulness includes economic productivity and the wise management of resources. Similarly, in John 15:5-8, Jesus speaks of bearing much fruit as a sign of discipleship, which encompasses spiritual and moral productivity, further broadening the concept beyond mere procreation.
Original Meanings of Fruitful and Multiply
Fruitful:
- Hebrew Word: פָּרָה (parah)
- Meaning: The word "parah" means to bear fruit, be fruitful, grow, and increase. It is used in the context of producing offspring, agricultural productivity, and overall prosperity.
- Scriptural References:
- Proverbs 11:30: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives."
- Jeremiah 17:8: "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Multiply:
- Hebrew Word: רָבָה (rabah)
- Meaning: The word "rabah" means to become many, increase, multiply, and grow. It is often used to describe the growth of a population, increase in wealth, and expansion in various contexts.
- Scriptural References:
- Deuteronomy 8:13: "And when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied."
- Ezekiel 36:29-30: "I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine."
Greek Words for "Fruitful" and "Multiply"
Fruitful:
- Greek Word: καρποφορέω (karpophoreo)
- Meaning: The word "karpophoreo" means to bear fruit, be fruitful, and produce good results. It is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe spiritual growth and the production of good works.
- Scriptural References:
- Colossians 1:10: "So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
- John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Multiply:
- Greek Word: πληθύνω (plethuno)
- Meaning: The word "plethuno" means to multiply, increase, and grow in number. It is used in the context of increasing in number, often referring to the growth of a population or abundance of blessings.
- Scriptural References:
- Acts 6:7: "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."
- 2 Corinthians 9:10: "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
Innovation and Creative Productivity in Scripture
The Bible provides numerous examples of innovation and creativity being valued and encouraged by God. In Exodus 31:1-6, God endows Bezalel and Oholiab with wisdom, understanding, and skills to create artistic designs for the Tabernacle. This divine endorsement of craftsmanship and innovation demonstrates that being fruitful includes the development and improvement of human skills and creativity.
Proverbs 8:12 ties wisdom with inventive thinking, indicating that fruitfulness involves creative problem-solving and innovation. Moreover, the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 highlights the importance of using and multiplying one's talents and resources, aligning with the concept of innovation and productivity.
The Role of Universities
Historically, the establishment of universities was driven by a desire to integrate faith, reason, and the pursuit of knowledge. Early universities, such as the University of Paris and Oxford, were founded on the belief that all knowledge ultimately pointed to God and should be used for His glory and human flourishing. This vision aligns with the broader Biblical mandate to be fruitful and multiply in all aspects of life, including intellectual and technological advancement.
Fruitful in All Endeavors
The Bible is rich with examples of God's blessings on those who work diligently for His glory. In Psalm 128:2, we are reminded, "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Here, God explicitly connects the blessings of prosperity to the fruit of our labor. Similarly, in passages like Genesis 39:3-4 and Deuteronomy 8:18, we see that God's blessings are closely tied to faithfully following Him in all that we do. This truth is perhaps most clearly stated in Ecclesiastes, where everything done apart from God is deemed vanity. Yet, as Ecclesiastes 3:13 affirms, finding satisfaction in our work "is the gift of God."
The Need for God's Guidance
While human ingenuity and effort are crucial, the Bible emphasizes that true fruitfulness requires divine guidance and wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways to make our paths straight. This principle is echoed in James 1:5, where we are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. And by divine guidance and wisdom, it means in all things, not just spiritual.
The Community Aspect of Fruitfulness
God gifts each individual with unique talents and abilities, intended to be used for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 explains that there are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit distributes them, and they are given for the common good. When we use our gifts in service to others, we contribute to the collective fruitfulness and multiplication of the community. And as John 15:5 states, and when we are in Christ can we bear the fruit of God. However, when we use our gifts solely for our own benefit, the fruit is limited and does not multiply.
Conclusion
The Biblical mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" encompasses far more than procreation. It includes the development of human potential, creativity, and innovation, all underpinned by divine wisdom and guidance. This broader interpretation aligns with the foundational principles of early universities and remains relevant today as we seek to integrate faith, reason, and the pursuit of knowledge for the glory and enjoyment of God first, and also the betterment of society as God blesses.
By embracing this comprehensive understanding, we acknowledge that true fruitfulness and multiplication requires not only human effort and ingenuity but also the wisdom and guidance of God. Together, we can cultivate a world that reflects the fullness of God's creation mandate, thriving in every aspect of life.
Sources:
- Proverbs 3:9-10 Commentary
- John 15:5-8 Bible Gateway
- Exodus 31:1-6 Bible Hub
- Matthew 25:14-30 Bible Gateway
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Bible Gateway
- James 1:5 Bible Hub
- Bible Hub - Hebrew Lexicon
- Bible Hub - Greek Lexicon
- Strong's Concordance
- Thayer's Greek Lexicon
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