A study of old and/or unique words from the Bible that are worth knowing.
This is a word we simply do not use anymore, but it is a wonderful word to understand and think on!
We find the word ‘succour’ (and its variations) only six times in the whole Bible (3x in OT, 3x in NT) and only in the older versions, like the King James. Today, we will focus only on its New Testament usage.
succour (səkər) from ‘boetheo’
(Strong’s G997), to aid or relieve, help, particularly assistance that
relieves and delivers from difficulty, want, or distress.
succourer
from ‘prostatis’ (as used in Romans 16:2), a patroness,
i.e. assistant. A feminine derivative of ‘proistemi’
(Strong’s G4291) meaning to preside, to
practice, maintain.
The first time we see this word it is used by Paul in quoting the prophet Isaiah, instructing the brethren in Corinth (mainly Gentiles) of the help God has granted them through the apostles preaching of the gospel of Jesus. “For He saith, “I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV)
God, because of His great love for all
mankind, has granted us aid; He has given us particular assistance that
delivers us from the difficulties and distress of sin because we were/are in need
of forgiveness. God has given us succour or aid through His Son, Jesus (John 3:16-21, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew
28:18-20)! Through Jesus, and in Jesus, we have hope and confidence in
salvation (1 Peter 1:3-9, Colossians
1:3-6)!
“For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.”(Hebrews 2:18 KJV)
Jesus, Himself, provides succour to us;
He helps us when we are tempted. He, too, was tempted like we are, so He
understands (Hebrews 4:14-15); He
knows the struggle, and He wants to help us endure and overcome just as He did,
without sin (consider James 1:14-15).
How does He help? Jesus is our
Advocate and Mediator (1 John 2:1-2, 1
Timothy 2:5), and because He knows the extent of our struggles He instructs
us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews
4:16) – just as He did so frequently in His time here (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:13, John 6:15; 17:1-26)!
We, too, can be a succour to those around
us! A Christian woman named Phoebe was noted by Paul as a “succourer of many” and of Paul himself (Romans 16:1-2). This lady helped, aided, and assisted those around
her in the church in Cenchrea, just as Priscilla is noted for aiding both her
husband, Aquila, and Paul as well (consider
Acts 18:2-3; 24-26, Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:19); just as Dorcas (Tabitha) is noted for good works and
charitable deeds, helping the widows in Joppa (Acts 9:36-41) – we can be a succourer to the brethren with whom we
worship! We can hold up the hands of those who labour in the gospel (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) and “be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:8, also consider the ways we can
provide in Titus 2:3-5).
As
God the Father and Jesus the Son have succoured and continue to succour us, let
us look for opportunity to also be a succourer, especially to those who are of
the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10)!
You can do it! So can I!!
