Be fruitful and multiply new testament

The phrase "be fruitful and multiply" is a biblical command that is often associated with the creation account in Genesis 1:28, where God says to Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (ESV)

However, in the New Testament, this phrase is not explicitly repeated. Instead, the emphasis shifts from physical multiplication to spiritual multiplication. Here are some examples:

  1. Jesus' commission to his disciples: In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives his disciples a commission to "make disciples of all nations" and "baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This is often seen as a call to spiritual multiplication, where believers are encouraged to spread the gospel and make new disciples.
  2. The Great Commission: In Mark 16:15-20, Jesus gives his disciples a similar commission, instructing them to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." This is often referred to as the Great Commission, and it emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel to all people.
  3. Paul's ministry: In 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, Paul writes about his ministry as a farmer who plants seeds and tends to them. He says that he is not the one who plants or waters, but God is the one who gives the increase. This passage highlights the importance of spiritual multiplication, where believers are encouraged to plant seeds (share the gospel) and trust God to bring the increase (converts).
  4. The church's role: In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul writes about the church's role in building up the body of Christ. He says that the church is to equip believers for works of service, so that they can build up the body and reach the world with the gospel. This passage emphasizes the importance of spiritual multiplication, where believers are encouraged to use their gifts and talents to build up the church and spread the gospel.

In summary, while the phrase "be fruitful and multiply" is not explicitly repeated in the New Testament, the emphasis on spiritual multiplication is a central theme throughout the New Testament. Believers are encouraged to spread the gospel, make new disciples, and build up the body of Christ, trusting God to bring the increase.