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20-Minute Bible Study on God's Divine Condescension Outline

Divine condescension refers to God's voluntary act of lowering himself to interact with humanity, often in ways that accommodate human limitations and sinfulness. This concept is evident throughout biblical narratives and theological reflection.

One aspect of God's condescension is seen in his long-suffering nature. God is characterized by his patience and willingness to delay punishment, even towards the wicked [1]. This long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance [1]. For instance, God's patience was extended to the wicked, as seen in 1 Peter 3:20 and Romans 9:22 [1]. However, this divine attribute has limits, as illustrated in Genesis 6:3 and Jeremiah 44:22, and those who abuse or despise it will face punishment [1].

The giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai provides a powerful illustration of God's condescension. God spoke directly to the entire multitude, in tones loud and distinct enough to be understood, despite the awe-inspiring and even terrifying natural phenomena accompanying his presence [9]. This direct communication, rather than a "still small voice," was a response to the fallen and sinful nature of the people [9]. The people, conscious of their sinfulness before a holy God, requested Moses to mediate between them and God [10]. Moses, in turn, explained that God's intention was not to destroy them but to instill a reverent awe that would deter them from sin [10]. Adam Clarke notes that the preface to the Ten Commandments establishes the divine authority behind these laws [8].

God's condescension is also reflected in his willingness to shorten periods of tribulation for the sake of his chosen ones. In Mark 13:20, it is stated that God shortens the days of calamity, emphasizing both the severity of the tribulation and God's mercy in limiting its duration [5]. This idea is also found in intertestamental Jewish literature [5]. Without this divine intervention, the entire population might have been destroyed [5].

The concept of God's "gentleness" or "condescension" is also noted in the Psalms. For example, in Psalm 18:35, God's gentleness is interpreted as his condescension, or the humility he imparts [6]. This highlights a divine attribute that enables God to relate to humanity despite his supreme nature.

Furthermore, God requires and regards the confession of sin, promising pardon to those who confess fully and unreservedly [3]. This divine expectation for confession, accompanied by self-abasement, godly sorrow, and forsaking sin, demonstrates God's willingness to engage with humanity's moral failings and offer a path to reconciliation [3]. The universal condemnation caused by Adam's offense means that all humanity is subject to God's sentence against sin [2]. Yet, saints are delivered from this condemnation through Christ [2].

The ignorance of God, particularly of Christ, leads to a lack of love, disobedience to commands, and a life of sin [4]. This ignorance, which is no excuse for sin, results in alienation from God and ultimately punishment [4]. God's condescension, therefore, also involves making himself known, even to those who choose ignorance [4].

The overarching theme of Ephesians 1-3 praises God for his amazing grace and the spiritual blessings provided through Jesus Christ for both Jews and Gentiles [7]. This extensive praise, articulated in a single complex sentence in the Greek, underscores the magnitude of God's gracious condescension in salvation [7].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ignorance of God — Ignorance of Christ is -- Joh 8:19. Evidenced by Want of love. -- 1Jo 4:8. Not keeping his commands. -- 1Jo 2:4. Living in sin. -- Tit 1:16; 1Jo 3:6. Leads to Error. -- Mt 22:29. Idolatry. -- Isa 44:19; Ac 17:29,30. Alienation from God. -- Eph 4:18. Sinful lusts. -- 1Th 4:5; 1Pe 1:14. Persecuting saints. -- Joh 15:21; 16:3. Is no excuse for sin -- Le 4:2; Lu 12:48. The wicked, in a state of -- Jer 9:3; Joh 15:21; 17:25; Ac 17:30. The wicked choose -- Job 21:14; Ro 1:28. Punishment of -- Ps 79:6; 2Th 1:8. Ministers should Compassionate those in. -- ”
  5. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:20: 13:20 God’s shortening of his timetable for the days of calamity is referred to frequently in intertestamental Jewish literature (e.g., 2 Esdras 2:13; 2 Baruch 20:1). This statement emphasizes the horrors of this tribulation experienced by God’s people, but also God’s mercy in shortening this time. • not a single person will survive: The whole population of Judea might have been destroyed if the days of anguish had been longer. • chosen ones (literally elect): Followers of Jesus.”
  6. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 18:35: thy gentleness--as applied to God--condescension--or that which He gives, in the sense of humility (compare Pro 22:4).”
  7. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:3: 1:3–3:21 Ephesians is divided into two sections: Chs 1–3 praise God for his amazing grace, and chs 4–6 instruct believers on how to live in grateful response. 1:3-14 Paul praises God for all the spiritual blessings he has graciously provided through Jesus Christ, for Gentiles as well as for Jews. • This section is a single, complex sentence in Greek—one of the longest in Paul’s letters, with long sentences being typical of Paul’s writing (also in 1:15-23; 2:1-7, 14-16; 3:1-12, 14-19; Col 1:3-29; 2:1-3, 8-15). The interwoven nature of these sentences reflects the”
  8. Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 20 (introduction): The preface to the ten commandments, Exo 20:1, Exo 20:2. The First commandment, against mental or theoretic idolatry, Exo 20:3. The Second, against making and worshipping images, or practical idolatry, Exo 20:4-6. The Third, against false swearing, blasphemy, and irreverent use of the name of God, Exo 20:7. The Fourth, against profanation of the Sabbath, and idleness on the other days of the week, Exo 20:8-11. The Fifth, against disrespect and disobedience to parents, Exo 20:12. The Sixth, against murder and cruelty, Exo 20:13. The Seventh, against adul”
  9. Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 20 (introduction): THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. (Exo. 20:1-26) And God spake all these words--The Divine Being Himself was the speaker (Deu 5:12, Deu 5:32-33), in tones so loud as to be heard--so distinct as to be intelligible by the whole multitude standing in the valleys below, amid the most appalling phenomena of agitated nature. Had He been simply addressing rational and intelligent creatures, He would have spoken with the still small voice of persuasion and love. But He was speaking to those who were at the same time fallen and sinful creatures, and a corresp”
  10. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:18: 20:18-26 This interlude is about access to God. The first part (20:18-21) deals with the need for a mediator between the people and God. In 20:22-26, we find the appropriate form for an altar in the interval before God revealed his plans for a more permanent sanctuary (see 25:1–30:28). 20:18-21 The people were very conscious of their sinfulness before a holy God and begged Moses to stand between them and God. Moses pointed out that God’s goal was neither to overawe them nor to destroy them. Rather, he wanted their awe of him to keep them from sinning (20:20). Jes”
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