Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:To disown is to refuse to acknowledge or accept someone or something as one's own. In a biblical context, disowning often refers to the denial of a relationship or association, particularly in terms of faith and allegiance to God or Christ. This concept is significant in understanding the dynamics of faith, loyalty, and the consequences of denial.
Biblical References:1.
Peter's Denial of Jesus: One of the most notable instances of disowning in the Bible is Peter's denial of Jesus. Despite his earlier declarations of unwavering loyalty, Peter disowned Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. In
Matthew 26:34, Jesus predicts this event: "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times." This act of disowning highlights human frailty and fear, even among the most devoted followers.
2.
Jesus' Teaching on Disowning: Jesus spoke about the consequences of disowning Him before others. In
Matthew 10:33, He states, "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." This teaching underscores the seriousness of disowning Christ and the eternal implications of such an action.
3.
Paul's Warning to Timothy: The Apostle Paul, in his letters to Timothy, warns against disowning Christ. In
2 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us." This passage emphasizes the importance of perseverance in faith and the consequences of turning away from Christ.
Theological Implications:·
Faith and Loyalty: Disowning is fundamentally a matter of faith and loyalty. The Bible presents a clear expectation for believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God and Christ, even in the face of persecution or personal risk.
·
Repentance and Restoration: Despite the gravity of disowning, the Bible also offers hope for repentance and restoration. Peter's account is a testament to this, as he was later restored by Jesus and became a foundational leader in the early Church. This demonstrates God's grace and willingness to forgive those who return to Him with a repentant heart.
·
Eternal Consequences: The warnings about disowning Christ serve as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of our choices. The Bible teaches that acknowledgment of Christ is essential for salvation and eternal life with God.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where they might be tempted to disown or deny their faith. This can occur in subtle ways, such as compromising biblical principles for social acceptance or remaining silent about one's beliefs in challenging situations. Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, trusting in God's strength to uphold them.
In summary, the concept of disowning in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the potential consequences of denying Christ. It calls believers to a deeper commitment and reliance on God's grace for strength and restoration.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To refuse to acknowledge as one's own; to disavow or deny, as connected with one's self personally; as, a parent can hardly disown his child; an author will sometimes disown his writings.
2. (v. t.) To refuse to acknowledge or allow; to deny.
Greek
533. aparneomai -- to deny... to deny. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aparneomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ar-neh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I deny,
disown, disregard Definition: I deny
...550. apeipon -- to forbid, renounce
... to forbid, renounce. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apeipon Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-i-pom'-ane) Short Definition: I renounce,disown Definition: I renounce...
720. arneomai -- to deny, say no
... 720 -- properly, deny (refuse); hence, , refuse to affirm or to confess
(identify with);disown (repudiate). See also 4716 ("cross")....
Strong's Hebrew
3584. kachash -- to disappoint, deceive, fail, grow lean... A primitive root; to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign,
disown) or deed (to disappoint,
fail, cringe) -- deceive, deny, dissemble, fail, deal falsely, be found
...Library
When in the Clouds the Lord Appears
... When judgment fills the soul with fears,. And none can aught of sindisown;".... But,
ah! my soul is filled with fears,. And gladly would its sindisown;"....
It is with a Certain Eloquence, Indeed, that He Appears to...
... views, either pretend that they do not, or deny them, saying that "he who holds
a certain opinion ought not to feign recantation, or publiclydisown it." And...
False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... Tertullian in the third century in writing on the subject of baptism says, "We solemnly
profess that wedisown the devil and his pomp and his angels....
He is Lovely in his Relations.
... Peter denied him, yet he will notdisown him; but after his resurrection he says,
"Go, tell the disciples, and tell Peter." Let him not think he has forfeited...
Homilies of St. John Chrysostom,
... If shedisown us, the Lord too willdisown us, and will say, "I know you not." But
may it not be ours to hear this voice, but that happy one instead, "Come, ye...
The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the...
... but the call to believe on Him. On the other hand, they were afraid publicly
todisown John! And so their cunning and cowardice...
The Lutheran Church.
... Thy child would add a vow To that whose token once was signed Upon his infant brow:
Assault who may, kiss and betray, Dishonor anddisown, MY CHURCH SHALL YET...
Preface
... every sphere of knowledge were bringing forth the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries,
were not so blinded by the white light of vision as todisown the Greeks....
Coming Judgment of the Secrets of Men
... blessings, but that he had so received it from Christ himself, and regarded himself
as so responsibly put in trust with it, that he could notdisown it even...
By Divine Inspiration Philosophers Sometimes Hit on the Truth.
... Whom shall I take as a helper in my inquiry? We do not, if you have no objection,
whollydisown Plato. How, then, is God to be searched out, O Plato?...
Thesaurus
Disown (18 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To refuse to acknowledge as one's own; to disavow or deny, as connected
with one's self personally; as, a parent can hardly
disown his child; an author
...Deny (48 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the like; to
refuse to acknowledge; todisown; to abjure; to disavow....
Recollected (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:75 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said, "Before
the cock crows you will three timesdisown me." And he went out and wept aloud...
Kingship (17 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:12 "If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His
Kingship; "If wedisown Him, He will alsodisown us; (WEY)....
Declared (261 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:35 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will neverdisown
you." In like manner protested all the disciples. (WEY NIV)....
Disowned (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDisown. Multi-Version Concordance
Disowned (10 Occurrences). Luke 12:9 But he who disowns...
Protested (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:35 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will neverdisown
you." In like manner protested all the disciples. (WEY)....
Patiently (25 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Timothy 2:12 "If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His
Kingship; "If wedisown Him, He will alsodisown us; (WEY)....
Aloud (141 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:75 and Peter recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said, "Before
the cock crows you will three timesdisown me." And he went out and wept aloud...
Disorderly (8 Occurrences)
Resources
If I convert to Christianity, my family will disown me, and I will be persecuted. Should I follow Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgIs a backsliding Christian still saved? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to let not your heart be troubled in John 14:1? | GotQuestions.orgDisown: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus