Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of "releasing" encompasses various themes, including forgiveness, liberation, and the relinquishment of debts or obligations. This entry explores the multifaceted nature of releasing as depicted in the Scriptures, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament Context1.
Sabbatical Year and Jubilee: The Law of Moses instituted the practice of releasing debts and freeing slaves during the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee. In
Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , it is written: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This practice underscored the principles of mercy, social justice, and reliance on God's provision.
2.
Release of Slaves: The release of Hebrew slaves is another significant aspect. In
Exodus 21:2 , the law states, "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything." This regulation ensured that servitude was not perpetual and highlighted the value of freedom and dignity for every individual.
New Testament Context1.
Forgiveness of Sins: In the New Testament, the theme of releasing is closely associated with the forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of forgiving others as a reflection of God's forgiveness toward humanity. In
Matthew 6:14-15 , Jesus teaches, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This underscores the spiritual release that comes through forgiveness, both given and received.
2.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: Jesus further illustrated the concept of releasing in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (
Matthew 18:21-35). The parable tells of a servant who, after being released from a massive debt by his master, refuses to release a fellow servant from a much smaller debt. This account highlights the expectation that those who have experienced God's mercy should extend the same to others.
3.
Release from the Law: The Apostle Paul speaks of believers being released from the law through Christ. In
Romans 7:6 , he writes, "But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." This release signifies a transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Spiritual and Practical ImplicationsThe biblical principle of releasing carries profound spiritual and practical implications. It calls believers to practice forgiveness, to seek reconciliation, and to live in the freedom that Christ provides. The act of releasing, whether it be debts, offenses, or burdens, reflects the heart of God and His desire for His people to experience true liberty and peace.
In summary, the concept of releasing in the Bible is a powerful testament to God's character and His intentions for humanity. It is a call to embody the grace and mercy that have been extended to us, fostering a community marked by love, freedom, and forgiveness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Release.
Greek
3089. luo -- to loose, to release, to dissolve... unleash) let go; release (unbind) so something no longer holds together; (figuratively)
release what has been held back (like Christ "
releasing" the seven
...630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... 1), divorce (3), divorced (2), divorces (5), freed (1), leaving (1), let...go (2),
pardon (1), pardoned (1), release (20), released (8),releasing...to depart...
859. aphesis -- dismissal, release, fig. pardon
... Cognate: 859 (from 863 , "send away, forgive" ) -- properly, "something "; ie remission
("forgiveness"),releasing someone from obligation or debt. See 863 ()....
Library
Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him...
... similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont
to bestow special honor upon certain occasions byreleasing prisoners.] ^a 16...
The Disciple, -- Master, what is the Real Meaning of Service? is...
... Even after that there was work for man to do inreleasing Lazarus from the
grave-clothes that he might be perfectly free (John 11:39,41,44)....
Introductory Essays
... Rome, sweeping away by means of them the superstitions with which the original
institutions of Christ had been overlaid, and thusreleasing men's consciences...
The Crown of Thorns.
... out of consideration for Jesus, may have moderated either the number or the severity
of the strokes; but, on the other hand, his plan ofreleasing Him depended...
The Boy and the Sunday School
... boys and girls. Today it is regarded as an institution for thereleasing
of great moral and religious impulses into life. Of late...
Tendencies Toward a Manifestation of the Unity of the American...
...Releasing themselves from colonial dependence on a transatlantic power, we find
these several communities, now grown to be States, becoming conscious, through...
On the True Beauty.
... But the compassionate God Himself set the flesh free, andreleasing it from destruction,
and from bitter and deadly bondage, endowed it with incorruptibility...
Jesus Sentenced
... His thought seems to be that Pilate, having failed in his attempt to get rid of
the whole difficulty byreleasing Jesus, according to the 'custom,' ordered the...
What Charity is in Itself, and How it is Truly and Perfectly...
... For why, in this work a perfect Prentice asketh neitherreleasing of pain, nor
increasing of meed, nor shortly to say, nought but Himself....
Rom. xiv. 25-27
... How was it made manifest? "By the Scriptures of the Prophets." Here again he is
releasing the weak person from fear. For what dost thou fear?...
Thesaurus
Releasing (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Releasing (3 Occurrences). Mark 15:6 And at every feast
he was
releasing to them one prisoner, whomsoever they were asking; (YLT).
...Relent (15 Occurrences)
Rebel (35 Occurrences)
... Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. (See NIV).
John 19:12 Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was forreleasing Him....
Releasest (1 Occurrence)
Excuse (13 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning,releasing, and
the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation....
Dismiss (15 Occurrences)
... come from far. (DBY). Luke 2:29 "Now you arereleasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace; (See NIV). Luke 12:22...
Declares (378 Occurrences)
... John 19:12 Upon receiving this answer, Pilate was forreleasing Him. But the Jews
kept shouting, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar's....
Promised (150 Occurrences)
... covenant; (KJV WBS RSV). Luke 2:29 "Now you arereleasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace; (See NIV). Luke 22:6 And...
Bond-servant (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bond-servant (14 Occurrences). Luke 2:29 "Now you are
releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; (See NAS)....
Barabbas (10 Occurrences)
... the history of mobs. The custom referred to ofreleasing a prisoner on
the Passover is otherwise unknown. "What Matthew (and John...
Resources
What is common grace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Passover Lamb? How is Jesus our Passover Lamb? | GotQuestions.orgReleasing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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