Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptRestraint, in a biblical context, refers to the act of holding back or controlling one's actions, desires, or emotions. It is often associated with self-control, discipline, and the ability to govern oneself according to God's will. Restraint is a virtue that is encouraged throughout Scripture as a means of living a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others.
Biblical References and ExamplesThe Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of restraint. In the Old Testament, restraint is often linked with wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." This verse highlights the value of controlling one's temper and emotions, a key aspect of restraint.
In the New Testament, restraint is closely associated with the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as one of the fruits, indicating that it is a result of living by the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Here, self-control is synonymous with restraint, emphasizing its importance in the Christian life.
Restraint in Speech and ConductThe Bible frequently addresses the need for restraint in speech.
James 1:19 advises believers, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This counsel underscores the importance of thinking before speaking and exercising control over one's words to avoid unnecessary conflict and harm.
Similarly, restraint in conduct is emphasized in passages like
1 Peter 2:11, which urges believers to abstain from sinful desires: "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." This call to abstain reflects the need for restraint in resisting temptations and living a life that honors God.
Restraint and LeadershipRestraint is also a critical quality for leaders, as seen in the qualifications for overseers and deacons in
1 Timothy 3. Leaders are called to be "temperate, self-controlled, respectable" (
1 Timothy 3:2), demonstrating the necessity of restraint in guiding others and setting an example of godly living.
Restraint and LoveThe practice of restraint is deeply connected to love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 describes love as patient and kind, not easily angered, and keeping no record of wrongs. These attributes require restraint, as love involves putting others' needs above one's own desires and emotions.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not use the term "restraint" frequently, the concept is woven throughout its teachings. Restraint is a vital aspect of Christian character, enabling believers to live in a manner that reflects God's holiness and love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to exercise restraint in all areas of life, demonstrating the transformative work of God within them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or process of restraining, or of holding back or hindering from motion or action, in any manner; hindrance of the will, or of any action, physical or mental.
2. (n.) The state of being restrained.
3. (n.) That which restrains, as a law, a prohibition, or the like; limitation; restriction.
Greek
3356. metriopatheo -- to hold one's emotions inrestraint... to hold one's emotions in
restraint. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: metriopatheo
Phonetic Spelling: (met-ree-op-ath-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bear
...1658. eleutheros -- free, ie not a slave or not underrestraint
... free, ie not a slave or not underrestraint. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
eleutheros Phonetic Spelling: (el-yoo'-ther-os) Short Definition: free...
192. akrasia -- want of power
... Feminine Transliteration: akrasia Phonetic Spelling: (ak-ras-ee'-a) Short Definition:
incontinence, intemperance, lack ofrestraint Definition: incontinence...
1029. brochos -- a noose, halter
... 1029 -- properly, a noose; (figuratively) unnecessaryrestraint. Word Origin a prim.
word Definition a noose, halter NASB Word Usagerestraint (1)....
4928. sunoche -- a holding together, fig. distress
... distress NASB Word Usage anguish (1), dismay (1). anguish, distress. From sunecho;
restraint, ie (figuratively) anxiety -- anguish, distress. see GREEK sunecho....
1466. egkrateia -- mastery, self-control
... egkrateia Phonetic Spelling: (eng-krat'-i-ah) Short Definition: self-mastery,
self-control Definition: self-mastery, self-restraint, self-control, continence....
1150. damazo -- to tame
... Verb Transliteration: damazo Phonetic Spelling: (dam-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I
tame, subdue Definition: I tame, subdue, involving obedience andrestraint....
463. anoche -- a delaying, forbearance
... forbearance. From anechomai; self-restraint, ie Tolerance -- forbearance. see GREEK
anechomai. (anoche) -- 1 Occurrence. (anoches) -- 1 Occurrence. 462, 463....
4997. sophrosune -- soundness of mind, self-control
... See 4998 (). Word Origin from sophron Definition soundness of mind, self-control
NASB Word Usage discreetly (1), self-restraint (1), sober (1)....
1467. egkrateuomai -- to exercise self-control
... contain, be temperate. Middle voice from egkrates; to exercise self-restraint (in
diet and chastity) -- can(-not) contain, be temperate. see GREEK egkrates....
Strong's Hebrew
4622. matsor -- arestraint, hindrance... 4621, 4622. matsor. 4623 . a
restraint, hindrance. Transliteration: matsor
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsore') Short Definition: restrained.
...restraint.
...6114. etser -- perhapsrestraint
... etser. 6115 . perhapsrestraint. Transliteration: etser Phonetic Spelling:
(eh'-tser) Short Definition: ruler.... magistrate. From atsar;restraint -- + magistrate...
6115. otser --restraint, coercion
... 6114, 6115. otser. 6116 .restraint, coercion. Transliteration: otser
Phonetic Spelling: (o'-tser) Short Definition: oppression....
3628. keli -- confinement,restraint, imprisonment
... 3627, 3628. keli or kelu. 3629 . confinement,restraint, imprisonment.
Transliteration: keli or kelu Phonetic Spelling: (kel-ee') Short Definition: prison....
3608. kele -- confinement,restraint, imprisonment
... 3607, 3608. kele. 3609 . confinement,restraint, imprisonment. Transliteration:
kele Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-leh) Short Definition: prison....
4623. matsar --restraint, control
... 4622, 4623. matsar. 4624 .restraint, control. Transliteration: matsar
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsawr') Short Definition: control....
1226. batstsoreth -- a dearth
... dearth, drought. Feminine intensive from batsar;restraint (of rain), ie Drought --
dearth, drought. see HEBREW batsar. 1225, 1226. batstsoreth. 1227 ....
4148. musar -- discipline, chastening, correction
... From yacar; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction;
alsorestraint -- bond, chastening ((-eth)), chastisement, check, correction...
4206a. mezach -- a girdle
... a girdle. Transliteration: mezach Short Definition: belt. Word Origin of uncertain
derivation Definition a girdle NASB Word Usage belt (1),restraint (1)....
6544a. para -- let go, let alone
... let alone NASB Word Usage avoid (1), brought about a lack (1), control (1), draw
the away (1), get out of control (1), go loose (1), lack ofrestraint (1), let...
Library
Letter x. --Restraint of Over-Eagerness.
... THIRD BOOK. ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. Letter X."Restraint of Over-Eagerness.
To the same person. On eagerness to read good books....
On Doing Good to the Soul of Our Neighbor. Two Parts of Discipline...
... On Doing Good to the Soul of Our Neighbor. Two Parts of Discipline,Restraint and
Instruction. Through Good Conduct We Arrive at the Knowledge of the Truth....
And with what Moderation and Self-Restraint those Men Used their...
... Book 3 Chapter 31. And with what moderation and self-restraint those men
used their wives appears chiefly in? 31. And with what...
Creatures that are Able to Dart their Thoughts into all Spaces Can...
... THE FIFTH CENTURY 3 Creatures that are able to dart their thoughts into
all spaces can brook no limit orrestraint. Creatures that...
As, Then, this Act of Self-Restraint, which in Appearance is one...
... Chapter LXIV. As, then, this act of self-restraint, which in appearance
is one and the same? As, then, this act of self-restraint...
The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter XX."The True Gnostic Exercises
Patience and Self-Restraint. Endurance also itself...
Argument. --To These Things Also was Added Another Reason for...
... Argument."To These Things Also Was Added Another Reason for Prohibiting Many Kinds
of Meats to the Jews; To Wit, for theRestraint of the Intemperance of the...
That those who Complain of Christianity Really Desire to Live...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 30."That Those Who Complain of Christianity
Really Desire to Live WithoutRestraint in Shameful Luxury....
Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do...
... We Ought to Shun that Which is Evil, and Do that Which is Good. "I told you," said
he, "that the creatures of God are double, [201] forrestraint also is double...
The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from...
... I mean valour, and temperance, and wisdom, and justice, and endurance, and patience,
and decorum, and self-restraint; and in addition to these, piety....
Thesaurus
Restraint (34 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Restraint (34 Occurrences).
... (YLT). Numbers 29:35 On the
eighth day a
restraint ye have, ye do no servile work; (YLT).
...Self-restraint (2 Occurrences)
Self-restraint. Self-respecting, Self-restraint. Selfrighteousness . Noah
Webster's Dictionary (n.)Restraint over one's self; self-control; self-command....
Libertine
... synagogue. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A free thinker who lacks moralrestraint.
2... freethinker. 5. (n.) Free fromrestraint; uncontrolled. 6...
Confinement (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Restraint within limits; imprisonment; arestraint
of liberty; seclusion. 2. (n.)Restraint within doors by sickness, esp....
Check (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard,restraint,
or rebuff.... 17. (vi) To act as a curb orrestraint. 18....
Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) One brought up withoutrestraint; a pampered pet.... 8. (vi) To rove and ramble
withoutrestraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic....
Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) to yield to the desire of; to gratify by compliance; to humor; to withhold
restraint from; as, to indulge children in their caprices or willfulness; to...
Freely (101 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a free manner; withoutrestraint or compulsion;
abundantly; gratuitously. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FREELY....
Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Fleeing from pursuit, danger,restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty
etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor....
Free (454 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not underrestraint,
control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or...
Resources
What does it mean that without vision the people perish? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is common grace? | GotQuestions.orgRestraint: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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