Cherish
The Biblical Meaning of Cherish
The English word "cherish" in Scripture translates several Hebrew and Greek terms that convey warmth, nurture, and devoted care. Unlike modern usage, which often emphasizes emotional affection, the biblical concept of cherishing involves active, physical care for another person's well-being. It describes the kind of attentive love that meets tangible needs and provides comfort.
Cherishing in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the word appears in the account of King David's final years. When David was old and could not keep warm, his servants sought a young woman to attend to him. Abishag the Shunammite was brought to the king, and the text says she "cherished" him (1 Kings 1:2, 4). The Hebrew word used here conveys the idea of acting as a close companion, providing warmth and practical care. It speaks to the physical vulnerability of even a mighty king and the dignified service of those who attended him.
Cherishing in the New Testament
The apostle Paul uses the concept of cherishing in two powerful passages. In Ephesians 5:29, he writes that a husband should love his wife as his own body, for "no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church." The Greek word here means to warm or to foster, painting a picture of gentle, sustaining care. Paul elevates the everyday act of caring for a spouse to a reflection of Christ's love for His people.
A Nurse's Tender Care
In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul uses the same Greek word to describe his own ministry among the Thessalonian believers: "We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishing her own children." This striking metaphor reveals the depth of Paul's pastoral heart. The image of a nursing mother provides one of the most intimate pictures of care in all of Scripture, suggesting that spiritual leadership at its best involves tender, self-giving devotion.
The Theology of Tender Care
The biblical concept of cherishing points to a God who is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the care of His people. Just as a mother cherishes her child and a husband cherishes his wife, God cherishes His own. Isaiah captures this beautifully: "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you" (Isaiah 66:13). The call to cherish others reflects the very character of God and stands as a model for all human relationships.
Biblical Context
The concept of cherishing appears in 1 Kings 1:2, 4 regarding Abishag's care for the aging King David. In the New Testament, Paul uses it in Ephesians 5:29 to describe how husbands should care for their wives as Christ cares for the church, and in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 to illustrate his own gentle ministry among believers.
Theological Significance
Cherishing reflects God's own character as one who tenderly cares for His people. Paul's use of the concept to describe Christ's relationship with the church elevates human acts of care to a spiritual dimension. The call to cherish others is ultimately rooted in the way God first cherished us, providing warmth, protection, and nurture.
Historical Background
In the ancient Near East, care for the elderly and vulnerable was a family responsibility of great importance. The account of Abishag caring for David reflects court customs where attendants provided physical comfort to aging rulers. In the Greco-Roman world of Paul's letters, the metaphor of a nursing mother was a recognized image of devoted care, and Paul's use of it would have been deeply meaningful to his audience.