Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: The term "abstains" refers to the act of voluntarily refraining from certain activities, substances, or practices. In a biblical context, abstinence is often associated with spiritual discipline, moral purity, and obedience to God's commandments.
Biblical Context: Abstinence is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it is often linked to holiness, self-control, and devotion to God. The practice of abstaining can apply to various aspects of life, including food, drink, sexual relations, and participation in certain cultural or religious practices.
Old Testament References:1.
Dietary Laws: The Israelites were commanded to abstain from certain foods deemed unclean.
Leviticus 11 outlines the dietary restrictions, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation from pagan practices.
2.
Nazarite Vow: In
Numbers 6:1-21, the Nazarite vow required individuals to abstain from wine, strong drink, and anything made from grapes. This vow was a sign of dedication to God and included other forms of abstinence, such as not cutting one's hair.
3.
Fasting: Fasting, or abstaining from food, is a common practice in the Old Testament, often associated with repentance, mourning, or seeking God's guidance. An example is found in
Joel 2:12, where the Lord calls for fasting as a sign of returning to Him with all one's heart.
New Testament References:1.
Abstaining from Food Sacrificed to Idols: In
Acts 15:29, the early church, through the Jerusalem Council, instructed Gentile believers to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, and from sexual immorality. This directive was meant to promote unity and holiness among believers.
2.
Self-Control and Holiness: In
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 , Paul exhorts believers to abstain from sexual immorality, emphasizing the importance of self-control and living in holiness: "For it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."
3.
Abstaining from Every Form of Evil: In
1 Thessalonians 5:22 , Paul advises believers to "abstain from every form of evil." This broad directive encourages Christians to avoid any actions or behaviors that could lead to sin or compromise their witness.
4.
Fasting and Prayer: Jesus Himself practiced fasting, as seen in
Matthew 4:2, where He fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness. Fasting is presented as a means of spiritual preparation and reliance on God.
Theological Significance: Abstinence in the Bible is often associated with spiritual growth and maturity. It is a discipline that helps believers focus on their relationship with God, exercise self-control, and live in a manner that reflects their faith. By abstaining from certain practices, Christians demonstrate their commitment to holiness and their desire to honor God in all aspects of life.
Greek
2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch... a) a chamberlain, keeper of the bed-chamber of an eastern potentate, eunuch, (b)
a eunuch, castrated person, or one who voluntarily
abstains from marriage.
...Library
She, on the Prohibition of Ambrose,Abstains from Honouring the...
... Book VI. Chapter II."She, on the Prohibition of Ambrose,Abstains from
Honouring the Memory of the Martyrs. 2. When, therefore...
Whether virginity is Unlawful?
... Now virginity declines from the mean of virtue, since itabstains from
all venereal pleasures: for the Philosopher says (Ethic....
Of Justice, Wisdom, and Folly.
... ignorant. But the just manabstains from all fault, because he cannot do
otherwise, although he has the knowledge of right and wrong....
1 Cor. x. 25
... For he who makes scrupulous enquiry doth so as being in dread: but he who, on hearing
the fact,abstains,abstains as out of contempt and hatred and aversion....
Whether Moral virtues Observe the Mean?
... Now some moral virtues are perfected by tending to something extreme; thus virginity,
whichabstains from all sexual pleasure, observes the extreme, and is the...
The Almost Christian
... to the day of redemption.". 5. Heabstains from "wine wherein is excess";
from revellings and gluttony. He avoids, as much as in...
Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... He, who steals, sins in committing a forbidden act; he, whoabstains from theft,
that his iniquity may be covered for the time and may afterwards more deeply...
Of the Punishment of Faults, that it Cannot Take Place Without...
... For if slaves shall perceive that their master uses violence when he is not angry,
andabstains from violence [1760] when he is angry, it is evident that they...
Tertullian Refers Again to the Question of the Origin of all These...
... But how far more praiseworthy (the servant) whoabstains entirely; who
has a wholesome fear [243] even of his lord's indulgence!...
The Second Epistle General of Peter
... The writerabstains from copying the designation of the apostle contained in 1 Peter,
and does not record the words spoken from heaven at the Transfiguration...
Thesaurus
Abstains (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Abstains (2 Occurrences). Romans 14:3 Let not
him who eats certain food look down upon him who
abstains...Fault (42 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats certain food look down upon him whoabstains from
it, nor him whoabstains from it find fault with him who eats it; for God...
Faster (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whoabstains from food. Multi-Version
Concordance Faster (2 Occurrences). John 20:4 but the other...
Continency (1 Occurrence)
... 9:25, and translated "is temperate" (the King James Version and the English Revised
Version) of the athlete who during the period of trainingabstains from all...
Abstaining (1 Occurrence)
Abstemiousness (1 Occurrence)
Resources
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