Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "refrain" in biblical context generally refers to the act of holding back, abstaining, or restraining oneself from certain actions or behaviors. It is often associated with self-control, patience, and obedience to God's commandments. The concept of refraining is integral to the moral and ethical teachings found throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of discipline and the avoidance of sin.
Biblical References:1.
Refraining from Evil: The Bible frequently instructs believers to refrain from evil and sinful behaviors. In
1 Peter 3:10-11 , it is written, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.'" This passage highlights the importance of refraining from harmful speech and actions as a pathway to a righteous life.
2.
Refraining from Anger: Anger is a natural human emotion, but the Bible advises believers to refrain from letting it lead to sin.
Psalm 37:8 states, "Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm." This verse underscores the destructive potential of unchecked anger and the wisdom in exercising restraint.
3.
Refraining from Judgment: The Bible also teaches the importance of refraining from judgment and condemnation of others. In
Matthew 7:1-2 , Jesus instructs, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." This teaching encourages believers to practice humility and compassion, recognizing their own fallibility.
4.
Refraining from Idolatry: Idolatry, or the worship of false gods, is a sin that the Bible repeatedly warns against. In
Acts 15:20 , the apostles instruct Gentile believers to "abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood." Refraining from idolatry is a fundamental aspect of maintaining faithfulness to God.
5.
Refraining from Sexual Immorality: Sexual purity is a significant theme in the Bible, with numerous exhortations to refrain from sexual immorality.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 advises, "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This passage emphasizes the call to live a life of sanctity and self-control.
Theological Implications:Refraining from certain actions is not merely about avoidance but is deeply connected to the pursuit of holiness and alignment with God's will. It reflects a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the fruits of self-control and discipline. The act of refraining is a testament to one's faith and commitment to living according to biblical principles.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of refraining from behaviors that are contrary to God's commandments. This involves regular self-examination, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. By doing so, Christians can grow in their spiritual maturity and witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern.
2. (v. t.) To abstain from
3. (v. i.) To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain.
4. (n.) The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition.
Greek
3973. pauo -- to make to cease, hinder... cease, leave,
refrain. A primary verb ("pause"); to stop (transitively or
intransitively), ie Restrain, quit, desist, come to an end -- cease, leave,
refrain.
...868. aphistemi -- to lead away, to depart from
... depart, fall away,refrain, withdraw self.... depart, draw (fall) away,refrain, withdraw
self. see GREEK apo. see GREEK histemi. (apeste) -- 2 Occurrences....
567. apechomai -- abstain.
... of apecho, qv. abstain. Middle voice (reflexively) of apecho; to hold oneself off,
ieRefrain -- abstain. see GREEK apecho. (apechesthai) -- 5 Occurrences....
2270. hesuchazo -- to be still, be silent
... From the same as hesuchios; to keep still (intransitively), ieRefrain from labor,
meddlesomeness or speech -- cease, hold peace, be quiet, rest....
2664. katapauo -- to cause to cease, to rest
... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap-ow'-o) Short Definition: I rest, cause to rest Definition:
(a) trans: I cause to rest, bring to rest; I cause torefrain, (b) intrans...
3361. me -- not, that...not, lest (used for qualified negation)
... 1), never (17), never* (16), no (67), no one (1), no* (11), none (2), none* (2),
nothing (2), nothing* (3), only* (11), or (4), otherwise* (3),refrain (1), so...
5339. pheidomai -- to spare, forbear
... forbear. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to spare, forbear NASB Word
Usagerefrain (1), spare (8), sparing (1). forbear, spare....
3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... none (4), none* (3), nor (3), nothing (8), nothing* (13), nowhere* (2), number
(1), number* (2), only* (5), rather (2), rather than (1),refrain (1), refused...
Strong's Hebrew
2820. chasak -- to withhold,refrain... 2819b, 2820. chasak. 2821 . to withhold,
refrain. Transliteration: chasak Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-sak') Short Definition: withheld. Word Origin a prim.
...4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... deny, keep back,refrain, restrain, withhold. A primitive root; to debar
(negatively or positively) from benefit or injury -- deny...
6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... closed fast (1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held back (2),
kept (1), prevail (1), prevented (1), recover (1),refrain (1), restrained (1...
5702. agan -- to shut oneself in or off
... 5701, 5702. agan. 5703 . to shut oneself in or off. Transliteration: agan Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-gan') Short Definition:refrain. Word Origin a prim....
3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold
... finish, forbid, keep back,refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed,.
A primitive root; to restrict, by act (hold back or in...
2413. chatam -- to hold in, restrain
... root Definition to hold in, restrain NASB Word Usage restrain (1).refrain. A primitive
root; to stop --refrain. 2412, 2413. chatam. 2414 . Strong's Numbers
2308. chadal -- to cease
... fail (1), failed (1), gave (1), hold back (1), leave (5), let my alone (1), neglects
(1), never mind (2), no (1), past (1), quit (1),refrain (6), refrained (1...
3808. lo -- not
... 19), nor (401), nor* (5), nothing (35), nothing* (27), nowhere* (1), or (10), or
else (1), otherwise (4), pathless* (2), rather than (3),refrain (1), refuse...
7368. rachaq -- to be or become far or distant
... of place or relation) -- (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove,
be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, Xrefrain, very, (be) a...
5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... opposed (2), persists (1), place (1), placed (2), present (3), presented (1), presented*
(1), propped (2), quake (1), raise (2), raised (1),refrain (1), rely...
Library
Refrain
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCHRefrain. 6,6,8,6Refrain. The time is drawing near,.
It may not tarry long,. When they who face the conflict here,....
Wherefore, O Men,Refrain from Obstructing what You Hope for by...
... Book II. 78 Wherefore, O men,refrain from obstructing what you hope for by
vain questions? Wherefore, O men,refrain from obstructing...
Fading, Still Fading PM , withRefrain. Evening Prayer.
... 60 Fading, Still Fading PM, withRefrain. Evening Prayer. Evening Prayer.
Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining; Father...
Does Pelagius DesignedlyRefrain from Openly Saying that all Good...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 17 [XVI.]"Does Pelagius
DesignedlyRefrain from Openly Saying that All Good Action is from God...
Whether it is Lawful for a Priest toRefrain Entirely from...
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful for a
priest torefrain entirely from consecrating the Eucharist?...
It Would Therefore be to their Profit, for the Young toRefrain...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter XXIV. It would therefore be to their profit,
for the young torefrain from laying down? It would...
The Lord of Life to Earth came Down
... tr., John Brownlie. CAROL [1]. kai Poimenes eidon to thauma, Angelon anumnounton,
kai legonton?� Doxa.Refrain. I.... While angels praise Him in the sky.Refrain. III...
The Oratorio of victory.
... ever.". In chapter four[15] comes a quartette. The four living creatures round
about the throne take up therefrain of John's solo. And...
Harvest Hymn
... Grace fills our lives with goodness He bestows.Refrain. Bountiful Giver, Thine
be the praise,.... Such are the treasures that His bounty gives.Refrain. III....
Whether it is Lawful to Abstain Altogether from Communion?
... is praised for saying (Mat.8:8): "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter
under my roof"; and he who deems that he ought torefrain entirely from...
Thesaurus
Refrain (33 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Refrain (33 Occurrences). Acts 4:20 for as for us we cannot
refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard. (DBY).
...Lip (20 Occurrences)
... 13). To "open the lips" is to begin to speak (Job 11:5); to "refrain the
lips" is to keep silence (Psalm 40:9; 1 Peter 3:10). The...
Refrained (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofRefrain. Multi-Version Concordance
Refrained (14 Occurrences). John 19:33 Then they came...
Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or torefrain
from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing torefrain...
Spare (80 Occurrences)
... parsimonious. 7. (vi) Torefrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or
forbearance. 8. (vi) To desist; to stop; torefrain. 9. (vt...
Restrain (31 Occurrences)
... restrain them. (YLT). Proverbs 1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
Refrain thy foot from their path: (See JPS). Proverbs 27...
Refractory (7 Occurrences)
Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... The little poem on the sluggard (Proverbs 24:30-34), with itsrefrain (Proverbs
24:33, 14), is noteworthy as being apparently one stanza of a poem which is...
Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament, it is the translation of hesuchazo, "torefrain from gossip
or meddlesomehess": "that ye study to be quiet": (1 Thessalonians 4:11), and...
Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... their gods, with their molten images, and with their goodly vessels of silver and
of gold, shall he carry captive into Egypt; and he shallrefrain some years...
Resources
Is it allowable for a Christian to eat halal food? | GotQuestions.orgWhen is it right to criticize my pastor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Shemitah? | GotQuestions.orgRefrain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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