📖 Biblical Definition
The Bible walks more than it runs, but it runs at critical moments. The father of the prodigal ran to meet his returning son (Luke 15:20) — unusual for a dignified eastern patriarch, showing pure joy. Paul compares the Christian life to a race: "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Cor 9:24). "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1). "I have finished the race; I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). When urgency calls for speed — to escape temptation, to bring good news, to reach the finish — the Christian runs.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RUN, v.i.
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RUN, v.i. [Sax. rinnan.] To move with rapidity on the feet, faster than walking. In Scripture, to run carries joy (the prodigal's father), race-metaphor discipline (Paul's favorite image for the Christian life), or urgency (Joseph fleeing Potiphar's wife). Most of the biblical life is a walk, but at critical moments it becomes a run: the finish line, the temptation to flee, the good news to carry, the reunion to hurry toward.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:24 — "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it."
Hebrews 12:1 — "Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Luke 15:20 — "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."
Proverbs 18:10 — "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christians sometimes romanticize the walk and forget the run. Temptation calls for flight, not saunter.
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Scripture calls the Christian to walk most of the time — and to run at specific moments. Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife (Gen 39); Paul tells Timothy to flee youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). Proverbs 18:10 — the righteous man runs into the strong tower of the Lord's name. When temptation surfaces, walking is not enough. Run. Run to prayer, run to Scripture, run to a brother, run out of the building if need be. The Christian walks most days; some days he runs.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
H7323 — ruts. G5143 — trechō.
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H7323 — ruts (רוּץ) — to run, to race, to hurry.
G5143 — trechō (τρέχω) — to run; Paul's race metaphor for the Christian life.
Usage
"The father ran to meet the prodigal. Dignified patriarchs do not run; a father receiving a dead son back does."
"Run from temptation. Walking will not do. Joseph left his garment in her hand."