Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "vouch" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible ; however, the concept of vouching, which involves affirming, guaranteeing, or supporting the truth of something, is present throughout the Scriptures. In biblical terms, to vouch for someone or something is to provide assurance or testimony to its truthfulness or reliability.
Biblical Context:The act of vouching is closely related to the biblical principles of truth, integrity, and witness. In the Bible, individuals often vouch for others by bearing witness to their character or actions. This is seen in the context of legal and personal testimonies, where a person's word or testimony serves as a guarantee of truth.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, the concept of vouching is often associated with the role of witnesses. For example, in
Deuteronomy 19:15 , the law requires the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter: "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." This principle underscores the importance of corroborated testimony, akin to vouching for the truth.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, the idea of vouching is evident in the context of personal testimony and the affirmation of truth. For instance, in
John 1:7 , John the Baptist is described as a witness to the light, vouching for the truth of Jesus Christ: "He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe." Here, John the Baptist's role is to vouch for the identity and mission of Jesus.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the concept of vouching in his letters. In
2 Corinthians 1:18-20 , Paul emphasizes the reliability of God's promises, which he vouches for through his own ministry: "But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not 'Yes' and 'No.' For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not 'Yes' and 'No,' but in Him it has always been 'Yes.' For all the promises of God are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him, our 'Amen' is spoken to the glory of God."
Theological Implications:Vouching in the biblical sense is deeply connected to the character of God, who is portrayed as the ultimate guarantor of truth. God's faithfulness and the reliability of His promises are central themes throughout Scripture. Believers are called to reflect this divine attribute by being truthful and trustworthy in their own testimonies and interactions.
Practical Application:In a Christian context, vouching for others involves a commitment to truth and integrity. It requires discernment and a willingness to stand by one's word. Christians are encouraged to be reliable witnesses, both in their personal lives and in their testimony of the Gospel, ensuring that their words and actions align with the truth of Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To call; to summon.
2. (v. t.) To call upon to witness.
3. (v. t.) To warrant; to maintain by affirmations; to attest; to affirm; to avouch.
4. (v. t.) To back; to support; to confirm; to establish.
5. (v. t.) To call into court to warrant and defend, or to make good a warranty of title.
6. (v. i.) To bear witness; to give testimony or full attestation.
7. (v. i.) To assert; to aver; to declare.
8. (n.) Warrant; attestation.
Library
The Real Nature and Purpose of the Old Testament
... minds and hearts. He did not, however, dictate to them the form of their
writings norvouch for their verbal inerrancy. In time, out...
Diamond Became a Great Favourite with all the Men About the Mews....
... angel.". I won'tvouch for what the old horse was thinking, for it is very
difficult to find out what any old horse is thinking....
Again on the Lord's Prayer, Matt. vi. To the Competentes.
... Now let not the lord disdain to have his slave for a brother, seeing the
Lord Christ hasvouch-safed to have him for a brother....
To the Rev. J. Jowett
... My next letter, provided it pleases the Almighty tovouch-safe me a happy arrival,
will be from the Russian capital; and with a fervent request that you will...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... the Society to communicate with Sir George Villiers, who has abstracts of all the
letters which I have written to the Society, and who willvouch for their...
On First and Second Repentance.
... Accordingly, being very merciful, He hasvouch-safed, in the case of those who,
though in faith, fall into any transgression, a second repentance; so that...
How one Even of those who are Without May be Brought to Believe...
... to be false and to have failed of true fulfilment, neither is this out of the region
of falsehood; but if all the others have experience tovouch for their...
And as in the Kingdoms of Earth we are in no Wise Constrained...
... tacitly [3925] implied in the homage offered to the kings themselves; in just the
same way, these gods, whoever they be, for whose existence youvouch, if they...
St. Ambrose Returns to the Story of the Widow of Sarepta...
... And so it is stated first: "For thus saith the Lord." [3328] For it is of the Lord
tovouch for a continuance of heavenly sacraments, and to promise that the...
The Finding of the Cross.
... But even those who believe in the miracle of the finding of the cross will hardly
vouch for the story in the above form, which is substantially that of Voragine...
Thesaurus
Vouch (1 Occurrence)... attestation. 7. (vi) To assert; to aver; to declare. 8. (n.) Warrant; attestation.
Multi-Version Concordance
Vouch (1 Occurrence). Job
...Avouch
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To appeal to; to cite or claim as authority.
2. (vt) To maintain a just or true; tovouch for....
Votive (13 Occurrences)
Vouches (1 Occurrence)
Onesimus (2 Occurrences)
... Returning to a city where it was well known that he had been neither a Christian
nor even an honest man, he needed someone tovouch for the reality of the...
Divination (25 Occurrences)
... (4.) God was pleased sometimes tovouch-safe direct vocal communications to men
(Deuteronomy 34:10; Exodus 3:4; 4:3; Deuteronomy 4:14, 15; 1 Kings 19:12)....
Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... He had a series of prophetic visionsvouch-safed to him which opened up the prospect
of a glorious future for the people of God, and must have imparted peace...
Certificate (8 Occurrences)
... of good behavior. 2. (n.) A written declaration legally authenticated.
3. (vt) To verify orvouch for by certificate. 4. (vt) To...
Accredit (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To credit; tovouch for or consider (some one) as doing something, or
(something) as belonging to some one. Multi-Version Concordance...
Able (730 Occurrences)
... to inherit or devise property. 5. (v.) To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
6. (v.) Tovouch for. 7. (n.) An adjective suffix...
Resources
What is Evangelism Explosion? Is Evangelism Explosion biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the angel Moroni? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to chain letters? | GotQuestions.orgVouch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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