Definition: The term "abstains" refers to the act of voluntarily refraining from certain activities, substances, or practices. In a biblical context, abstinence is often associated with spiritual discipline, moral purity, and obedience to God's commandments.

Biblical Context: Abstinence is a recurring theme in the Bible, where it is often linked to holiness, self-control, and devotion to God. The practice of abstaining can apply to various aspects of life, including food, drink, sexual relations, and participation in certain cultural or religious practices.

Old Testament References:

1. Dietary Laws: The Israelites were commanded to abstain from certain foods deemed unclean. Leviticus 11 outlines the dietary restrictions, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation from pagan practices.

2. Nazarite Vow: In Numbers 6:1-21, the Nazarite vow required individuals to abstain from wine, strong drink, and anything made from grapes. This vow was a sign of dedication to God and included other forms of abstinence, such as not cutting one's hair.

3. Fasting: Fasting, or abstaining from food, is a common practice in the Old Testament, often associated with repentance, mourning, or seeking God's guidance. An example is found in Joel 2:12, where the Lord calls for fasting as a sign of returning to Him with all one's heart.

New Testament References:

1. Abstaining from Food Sacrificed to Idols: In Acts 15:29, the early church, through the Jerusalem Council, instructed Gentile believers to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, and from sexual immorality. This directive was meant to promote unity and holiness among believers.

2. Self-Control and Holiness: In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 , Paul exhorts believers to abstain from sexual immorality, emphasizing the importance of self-control and living in holiness: "For it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

3. Abstaining from Every Form of Evil: In 1 Thessalonians 5:22 , Paul advises believers to "abstain from every form of evil." This broad directive encourages Christians to avoid any actions or behaviors that could lead to sin or compromise their witness.

4. Fasting and Prayer: Jesus Himself practiced fasting, as seen in Matthew 4:2, where He fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness. Fasting is presented as a means of spiritual preparation and reliance on God.

Theological Significance: Abstinence in the Bible is often associated with spiritual growth and maturity. It is a discipline that helps believers focus on their relationship with God, exercise self-control, and live in a manner that reflects their faith. By abstaining from certain practices, Christians demonstrate their commitment to holiness and their desire to honor God in all aspects of life.2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch
... a) a chamberlain, keeper of the bed-chamber of an eastern potentate, eunuch, (b)
a eunuch, castrated person, or one who voluntarily abstains from marriage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2135.htm - 7k

She, on the Prohibition of Ambrose, Abstains from Honouring the ...
... Book VI. Chapter II."She, on the Prohibition of Ambrose, Abstains from
Honouring the Memory of the Martyrs. 2. When, therefore ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii she on the prohibition.htm

Whether virginity is Unlawful?
... Now virginity declines from the mean of virtue, since it abstains from
all venereal pleasures: for the Philosopher says (Ethic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is unlawful.htm

Of Justice, Wisdom, and Folly.
... ignorant. But the just man abstains from all fault, because he cannot do
otherwise, although he has the knowledge of right and wrong. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of justice wisdom and.htm

1 Cor. x. 25
... For he who makes scrupulous enquiry doth so as being in dread: but he who, on hearing
the fact, abstains, abstains as out of contempt and hatred and aversion. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 1 cor x.htm

Whether Moral virtues Observe the Mean?
... Now some moral virtues are perfected by tending to something extreme; thus virginity,
which abstains from all sexual pleasure, observes the extreme, and is the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether moral virtues observe the.htm

The Almost Christian
... to the day of redemption.". 5. He abstains from "wine wherein is excess";
from revellings and gluttony. He avoids, as much as in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 2 the almost christian.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... He, who steals, sins in committing a forbidden act; he, who abstains from theft,
that his iniquity may be covered for the time and may afterwards more deeply ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

Of the Punishment of Faults, that it Cannot Take Place Without ...
... For if slaves shall perceive that their master uses violence when he is not angry,
and abstains from violence [1760] when he is angry, it is evident that they ...
/.../chap xviii of the punishment of.htm

Tertullian Refers Again to the Question of the Origin of all These ...
... But how far more praiseworthy (the servant) who abstains entirely; who
has a wholesome fear [243] even of his lord's indulgence! ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter x tertullian refers again to.htm

The Second Epistle General of Peter
... The writer abstains from copying the designation of the apostle contained in 1 Peter,
and does not record the words spoken from heaven at the Transfiguration ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxii the second epistle.htm

Abstains (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abstains (2 Occurrences). Romans 14:3 Let not
him who eats certain food look down upon him who abstains...
/a/abstains.htm - 7k

Fault (42 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats certain food look down upon him who abstains from
it, nor him who abstains from it find fault with him who eats it; for God ...
/f/fault.htm - 23k

Faster (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who abstains from food. Multi-Version
Concordance Faster (2 Occurrences). John 20:4 but the other ...
/f/faster.htm - 7k

Continency (1 Occurrence)
... 9:25, and translated "is temperate" (the King James Version and the English Revised
Version) of the athlete who during the period of training abstains from all ...
/c/continency.htm - 8k

Abstaining (1 Occurrence)

/a/abstaining.htm - 6k

Abstemiousness (1 Occurrence)

/a/abstemiousness.htm - 7k

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