Topical Encyclopedia
The term "abolished" in the context of the Bible often refers to the nullification or doing away with certain laws, practices, or enmities that were once in place. This concept is particularly significant in the New Testament, where it is frequently associated with the work of Jesus Christ and the new covenant established through His life, death, and resurrection.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of abolishing is not as explicitly stated as in the New Testament, but the concept can be seen in the prophetic literature where God speaks of a new covenant. For example, in
Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah, indicating a future change in the way God’s laws would be internalized by His people.
New Testament Context1.
The Law and Commandments: One of the most significant uses of the term "abolished" in the New Testament is found in
Ephesians 2:15, where Paul writes, "by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace." Here, Paul is explaining how Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death, abolished the ceremonial laws and commandments that separated Jews and Gentiles, creating unity and peace between them.
2.
Death and Sin: In
2 Timothy 1:10, Paul speaks of Christ Jesus, "who has abolished death and illuminated the life and immortality through the gospel." This passage highlights the victory of Christ over death, rendering it powerless and bringing eternal life to light through the gospel.
3.
The Old Covenant: The writer of Hebrews discusses the obsolescence of the old covenant in light of the new one established by Christ.
Hebrews 8:13 states, "By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." This reflects the transition from the old covenant, based on the law, to the new covenant, based on grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Theological ImplicationsThe abolition of certain laws and practices through Christ's work is central to Christian theology. It signifies the transition from the old covenant, characterized by adherence to the Mosaic Law, to the new covenant, characterized by grace and faith. This abolition is not a negation of the moral law but rather a fulfillment and transformation of it, as seen in
Matthew 5:17, where Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Practical ApplicationsFor believers, the concept of abolished laws and enmities through Christ encourages a life of freedom and unity. It calls Christians to live not under the burden of the law but in the liberty of grace, fostering peace and reconciliation among diverse groups within the body of Christ. The abolition of death through Christ also provides hope and assurance of eternal life, motivating believers to live with an eternal perspective.
In summary, the term "abolished" in the biblical context is deeply tied to the transformative work of Jesus Christ, who through His life, death, and resurrection, brought about a new covenant, rendering obsolete the old ways and establishing a new path of reconciliation and eternal life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Abolish.
Greek
2673. katargeo -- to render inoperative, abolish... Word Origin from kata and argeo Definition to render inoperative, abolish NASB Word
Usage
abolished (4), abolishing (1), bring to an end (1), did away (1), do
...Strong's Hebrew
5493. sur -- to turn aside... root Definition to turn aside NASB Word Usage
abolished (1), avoid (1), beheaded*
(1), cut off (1), degenerate (1), depart (45), departed (7), deposed (1
...Library
CircumcisionAbolished.
... Hymn 2:134. Circumcisionabolished. 1 The promise was divinely free, Extensive was
the grace; "I will the God of Abrah'm be, "And of his numerous race."...
CircumcisionAbolished.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 134 Circumcisionabolished. CM Circumcisionabolished.
The promise was divinely free,. Extensive was the grace;...
Whether the Law of Nature Can beAbolished from the Heart of Man?
... OF THE NATURAL LAW (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the law of nature can beabolished
from the heart of man? Objection 1: It would seem that...
Marriage notAbolished by the Commendation of virginity.
... Discourse II."Theophila. Chapter I."Marriage NotAbolished by the Commendation
of Virginity. And then, she said, Theophila spoke...
The Jewish Sacrifices are NowAbolished.
... Chapter II."The Jewish sacrifices are nowabolished. Since, therefore,
the days are evil, and Satan [1456] possesses the power...
Christ's Flesh in Nature, the Same as Ours, Only Sinless the...
... Christ's Flesh in Nature, the Same as Ours, Only Sinless The Difference Between
Carnem Peccati and Peccatum Carnis: It is the Latter Which ChristAbolished....
In what Manner, and from what Cause, the Functions of the...
... Chapter XVI."In What Manner, and from What Cause, the Functions of the Presbyter,
Appointed to Preside over the Imposition of Penance, wereabolished....
Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her...
... CHAPTER XII: KNOX IN THE WAR OF THE CONGREGATION: THE REGENT ATTACKED: HER
DEATH: CATHOLICISMABOLISHED, 1559-1560. Though the Regent...
How He Built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, andAbolished Idolatry...
... Book III. Chapter XLVIII."How he built Churches in Honor of Martyrs, and
abolished Idolatry at Constantinople. And being fully...
That a Place in Phoenicia Also was Made a City, and in Other...
... Book IV. Chapter XXXIX."That a Place in Phoenicia also was made a City, and
in Other Cities Idolatry wasabolished, and Churches built....
Thesaurus
Abolished (12 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Abolish. Multi-Version Concordance
Abolished (12 Occurrences).
... (WEB
ASV NAS). 1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that will be
abolished is death.
...Abolish (6 Occurrences)
... a-bol'-ish (chathath, "to be broken down," "made void," "My righteousness shall
not beabolished" (Isaiah 51:6), ie as shown in God's faithfulness to His...
Enmity (23 Occurrences)
... 4, "The friendship of the world is enmity with God" (because "the world" is preferred
to God); in Ephesians 2:15, 16, Christ is said to have "abolished in his...
Destroyed (377 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he will haveabolished all rule and all authority and...
Vail (44 Occurrences)
... 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel
could not stedfastly look to the end of that which isabolished: (KJV WBS YLT...
Vanish (21 Occurrences)
... wax old like a garment; and those who dwell therein shall die in like manner: but
my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not beabolished....
Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... 2. As Described in the New Testament: In the New Testament, this limitation
of moral obligation to fellow-countrymen isabolished....
Unlifted (1 Occurrence)
... to this very day during the reading of the book of the ancient Covenant, the same
veil remains unlifted, because it is only in Christ that it is to beabolished...
Ordinances (119 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:15 havingabolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments
contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the...
Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... On this news reaching the Assyrian king, he sent his army back to Egypt, and the
petty rulers having beenabolished, Necho king of Memphis and Sais was set on...
Resources
Are many practices and traditions in Christianity actually pagan in origin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is neonomianism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation? | GotQuestions.orgAbolished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Topical Bible •
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