Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "refuses" can be understood as the act of rejecting, declining, or not accepting something that is offered or commanded. This term appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, often highlighting themes of obedience, rebellion, and the consequences of rejecting God's will or commands.
Old Testament References1.
Pharaoh's Refusal: One of the most notable examples of refusal in the Old Testament is Pharaoh's repeated refusal to let the Israelites go, despite the plagues sent by God through Moses. In
Exodus 7:14, the Lord says to Moses, "Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go." This refusal leads to a series of divine judgments upon Egypt, demonstrating the consequences of hardening one's heart against God's commands.
2.
Israel's Rebellion: The Israelites themselves are often depicted as refusing to obey God's laws and commands. In
Deuteronomy 9:23, Moses recounts, "And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, 'Go up and possess the land that I have given you.' But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You neither believed Him nor obeyed Him." This refusal to trust and obey God resulted in their prolonged wandering in the wilderness.
3.
Wisdom's Call: In the wisdom literature, refusal is often associated with rejecting divine wisdom.
Proverbs 1:24-25 states, "Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel and wanted none of my correction." Here, refusal is linked to ignoring the guidance and correction that leads to life and understanding.
New Testament References1.
The Rich Young Ruler: In the New Testament, refusal is illustrated in the account of the rich young ruler who, when invited by Jesus to sell his possessions and follow Him, refuses to do so.
Mark 10:21-22 records, "Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said, 'One thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.' But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth." This refusal highlights the challenge of prioritizing earthly possessions over spiritual commitment.
2.
Rejection of the Gospel: The New Testament also addresses the refusal to accept the gospel message. In
Acts 13:46, Paul and Barnabas speak boldly, saying, "It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." This refusal by some of the Jewish audience to accept the message of salvation through Christ opened the door for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles.
3.
Warnings Against Apostasy:
Hebrews 12:25 warns believers, "See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven?" This passage underscores the seriousness of refusing God's voice and the greater accountability under the new covenant.
Theological ImplicationsThe act of refusing, particularly in relation to God's commands and invitations, is a significant theme in Scripture. It often serves as a warning against the dangers of disobedience and unbelief. Refusal can lead to spiritual hardening, missed opportunities for blessing, and divine judgment. Conversely, the Bible encourages acceptance, obedience, and submission to God's will as pathways to life, blessing, and eternal fellowship with Him.
Greek
3878. parakouo -- to overhear, to hear amiss, to take no heed... I disobey, disregard. Cognate: 3878 -- properly, to hear in a (flawed)
way, ie is and
refuses to sound counsel. Word Origin from
...571. apistos -- incredible, unbelieving
... 27. 571 () describes someone who rejects orrefuses inbirthings of (note
the root, , 4102 ). Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix...
Strong's Hebrew
3985. maen -- to refuse... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to refuse NASB Word Usage absolutely
refuses (1), refuse (8), refused (26),
refuses (4), refusing (2). refuse, utterly.
...2310. chadel -- forbearing, lacking
... Word Origin from chadal Definition forbearing, lacking NASB Word Usage forsaken
(1),refuses (1), transient (1). he that forbears, frail, rejected....
Library
PolycarpRefuses to Revile Christ.
... Chapter IX."Polycarprefuses to revile Christ. Now, as Polycarp was entering
into the stadium, there came to him a voice from...
Faustus Claims to Believe the Gospel, yetRefuses to Accept the...
... Book II. Faustus claims to believe the Gospel, yetrefuses to accept the genealogical
tables on various grounds which Augustin seeks to set aside....
ChristRefuses to Interfere in Civil Disputes. (Luke, xii. , 13-15...
... SAMARIA. Section 209. Christrefuses to interfere in Civil Disputes. (Luke,
xii., 13-15.)"His Decision in the Case of the Adulteress....
SimonRefuses Peace.
... Book II. Chapter XXIII."SimonRefuses Peace. To this Simon answered: [618]
"We have no need of your peace; for if there be peace...
PeterRefuses to Discuss Certain Questions in Regard to the Devil.
... Homily XIX. Chapter III."PeterRefuses to Discuss Certain Questions in
Regard to the Devil. And Simon said: "Since, then, you...
Topic vii. If any one Affirms that Christ is Saved, andRefuses to...
... Topic VII. If any one affirms that Christ is saved, andrefuses to acknowledge
that He is? If any one affirms that Christ is saved...
The Delusion of the Deist Lies Here: HeRefuses an Assent to the...
... [Way-2-124] The delusion of the Deist lies here: herefuses an assent to
the history of? The delusion of the Deist lies here: he...
Synod of Antioch; Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius...
... Unjust Deposition of Eustathius; Euphronius receives the Throne; Constantine the
Great writes to the Synod and to Eusebius Pamphilus, whorefuses the Bishopric...
Coelestius, on his Trial at Carthage,Refuses to Condemn his Error...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 2 [II.]"Coelestius, on His Trial at Carthage,
Refuses to Condemn His Error; The Written Statement Which He Gave to Zosimus....
Whether the Believer who Leaves his Unbelieving Wife Can Take...
... Therefore the sin of the wife whorefuses to cohabit without insult to the Creator
does not dissolve the marriage so that her husband be free to take another...
Thesaurus
Refuses (21 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Refuses (21 Occurrences).
... (WEY). Matthew 18:17
If he
refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly.
...Refuse (103 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Matthew 18:17 If herefuses to listen to them, tell it to the
assembly. If herefuses to hear the assembly also, let him...
Gentile (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gentile (24 Occurrences). Matthew 18:17 If he
refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he...
Tax-gatherer (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:17 If herefuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if herefuses
to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile or a tax...
Treat (53 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Matthew 18:17 If herefuses to listen to them, tell it to the
assembly. If herefuses to hear the assembly also, let him...
Regard (230 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:17 If herefuses to hear them, appeal to the Church; and if herefuses
to hear even the Church, regard him just as you regard a Gentile or a tax...
Pagan (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pagan (7 Occurrences). Matthew 18:17 If herefuses
to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If herefuses...
Balak (42 Occurrences)
... Numbers 22:13 Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak,
"Go to your land; for Yahwehrefuses to permit me to go with you." (WEB KJV JPS...
Correction (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NIV). Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him whorefuses discipline,
but he who heeds correction shall be honored. (WEB ASV NIV)....
Collector (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:17 If herefuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly.
If herefuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you...
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