Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Shun is a term that appears in the Bible, primarily in the context of moral and ethical teachings. It is often used to convey the idea of avoiding or steering clear of certain behaviors, actions, or influences that are considered sinful or detrimental to one's spiritual well-being. The concept of shunning is rooted in the biblical call to holiness and the pursuit of righteousness.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 3:7 : "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil." This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and the fear of the Lord as foundational to shunning evil. The act of turning away from evil is synonymous with shunning it, highlighting the proactive stance believers are to take against sin.
2.
Proverbs 14:16 : "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." Here, wisdom is associated with the fear of the Lord and the deliberate action of shunning evil. The contrast with the fool underscores the danger of neglecting this principle.
3.
2 Timothy 2:16 : "But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness." The apostle Paul instructs Timothy to shun profane and idle talk, recognizing that such speech can lead to further ungodliness. This passage illustrates the broader application of shunning beyond actions to include words and conversations.
Theological Significance:The concept of shunning in the Bible is closely tied to the pursuit of holiness and the call to live a life set apart for God. It reflects the biblical understanding that believers are to be distinct from the world, avoiding behaviors and influences that can lead them away from God's will. Shunning is not merely about avoidance but is an active choice to pursue righteousness and align one's life with God's standards.
Practical Application:In practical terms, shunning involves making conscious decisions to avoid situations, relationships, or activities that could compromise one's faith or moral integrity. This may include:
·
Avoiding Temptation: Recognizing and steering clear of situations that may lead to sin.
·
Guarding Speech: Being mindful of the words one uses and the conversations one engages in, as highlighted in
2 Timothy 2:16.
·
Choosing Companions Wisely: Associating with individuals who encourage and support one's spiritual growth, rather than those who may lead one astray.
Related Concepts:·
Holiness: The call to be holy as God is holy (
1 Peter 1:16) is foundational to the practice of shunning evil.
·
Wisdom: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (
Proverbs 9:10), and wisdom involves discerning what to shun.
·
Sanctification: The process of being set apart for God's purposes, which includes shunning sin and pursuing righteousness.
Conclusion:The biblical exhortation to shun evil is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a commitment to live in accordance with God's will and to maintain a testimony that honors Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to discern and shun that which is contrary to God's character and commands.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
v. t.) To avoid; to keep clear of; to get out of the way of; to escape from; to eschew; as, to shun rocks, shoals, vice.
Greek
4026. periistemi -- to stand around, turn around (to avoid)... to avoid). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periistemi Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I stand around, avoid,
shun Definition: in
...5288. hupostello -- to draw in, let down, draw back
... hupostello Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-os-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I draw back, conceal
Definition: I withdraw, draw back, keep back,shun, conceal....
5343. pheugo -- to flee
... to flee. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pheugo Phonetic Spelling:
(fyoo'-go) Short Definition: I flee, escape,shun Definition: I flee, escape,shun....
3868. paraiteomai -- to beg from, to beg off
... par-ahee-teh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I make excuse, refuse, reject Definition:
I beg off, make excuse, deprecate, refuse, reject, decline,shun, avoid....
665. apotrepo -- to turn away
... to turn away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apotrepo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ot-rep'-o) Short Definition: I turn away from,shun Definition: I turn away...
1624. ektrepo -- to turn away
... mid. and pass: I turn aside (from the right road), wander, forsake, and
with an object: I remove from myself,shun, avoid. Word...
1578. ekklino -- to deviate, to turn away (from someone or...
... From ek and klino; to deviate, ie (absolutely) toshun (literally or figuratively),
or (relatively) to decline (from piety) -- avoid, eschew, go out of the way...
Strong's Hebrew
7368. rachaq -- to be or become far or distant... remove them far (1), remove you far (1), remove...far (1), removed and far (1),
removed my far (2), removed them far (1), removed...far (1),
shun (1), stand
...Library
Commandment Eighth. We Ought toShun that which is Evil, and do...
... The Pastor: Book Second."Commandments. Commandment Eighth. We Ought to
Shun that Which is Evil, and Do that Which is Good. "I...
What is the Philosophy which the Apostle Bids usShun?
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XI."What is the Philosophy
Which the Apostle Bids UsShun? This, then, "the wisdom...
Continuation of the Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
... "O Timothy," he says, "Guard the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words."
"Shun them as... Not even to eat [502] with a person of this sort. What is "shun"?...
Man is Endowed with the Faculty of Distinguishing Good and Evil...
... But if any one doshun the knowledge of both these kinds of things, and the twofold
perception of knowledge, he unawares divests himself of the character of a...
The Little Chamber on the Wall.
... But the most beautiful story in the life of Elisha is that of the
Shun-amite mother and her son. The mother was a noble lady of...
The Dilemma in which I am Placed is of Your Making: it is Brought...
... You at once forbid me to answer and compel me. Well, then; I mustshun excess
on both sides.... Well, then; I mustshun excess on both sides....
The Catholic Faith Concerning Law, Grace, and Free Will.
... Now the Lord Himself not only shows us what evil we shouldshun, and what good we
should do, which is all that the letter of the law is able to effect; but He...
Whether all Sorrow is Evil?
... And from this point of view, allshun sorrow, inasmuch as theyshun evil:
but they do notshun the perception and rejection of evil....
All Saints' Day, or St Ursula's Day
... Then he begins toshun and avoid evil, and to resist sin and all that causes it;
so that he may learn to die unto it, that he may be clean and no longer...
Letter ccxxvi. To the Ascetics under Him.
... writers of those famous letters against Eudoxius and all his faction, the senders
of them to all the brotherhood, the protesters that theyshun their communion...
Thesaurus
Shun (14 Occurrences)... (vt) To avoid; to keep clear of; to get out of the way of; to escape from; to
eschew; as, to
shun rocks, shoals, vice.
...Shun (14 Occurrences).
...Avoid (31 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To keep away from; to keep clear of; to endeavor no to meet; toshun; to
abstain from; as, to avoid the company of gamesters. 6. (v.) To get rid of....
Legislation
... SANCTITY, LEGISLATION OF. sank'-ti-ti, lej-is-la'-shun. See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 5,
(6). LEGISLATION, OF SANCTITY. lej-is-la'-shun. See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 5....
Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INSTRUCTION. in-struk'-shun. See CATECHIST; EDUCATION;
SCHOOL. Multi-Version Concordance Instruction (117 Occurrences)....
Decline (10 Occurrences)
... sound morals. 4. (vi) To turn away; toshun; to refuse; -- the opposite of
accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle. 5. (vt...
Destruction (734 Occurrences)
... de-struk'-shun `ir ha-herec; (Septuagint Base-dek): In his prediction of the future
return of Egypt to Yahweh, Isaiah declares, "In that day there shall be...
Dedication (16 Occurrences)
... ded'-i-kat, ded-ika'-shun (chanukkah, "initiation," "consecration"; qadhesh, "to
be clean," "sanctify"; cherem, "a thing devoted (to God)"): Often used in...
Conception (6 Occurrences)
... kon-sep'-shun, kon-sev' (harah, and derivatives; sullambano): Physically, the beginning
of a new life in the womb of a mother, "to catch on," used thus some...
Confection (2 Occurrences)
... kon-fek'-shun, kon-fek'-shun-a-ri (roqach "perfume," "spice," raqqahah, feminine
"perfumer"): (1) "Confection" is found in the King James Version only and but...
Confectionary
... kon-fek'-shun, kon-fek'-shun-a-ri (roqach "perfume," "spice," raqqahah, feminine
"perfumer"): (1) "Confection" is found in the King James Version only and but...
Resources
What does the Bible say about shunning? | GotQuestions.orgIs God a cosmic killjoy? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian consider alternative medicine? | GotQuestions.orgShun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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