Disowning, in a biblical context, refers to the act of renouncing or denying a relationship or association with someone or something. This concept is significant in Scripture, particularly in relation to one's faith and allegiance to God and Jesus Christ. The Bible provides several instances and teachings on the implications and consequences of disowning.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "disown" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in the actions and decisions of individuals who turn away from God. For example, the Israelites are often depicted as disowning God through idolatry and disobedience. In Jeremiah 2:13, God laments, "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water." This turning away from God is akin to disowning Him, as it involves rejecting His covenant and authority.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament provides more explicit references to disowning, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 10:33, Jesus warns, "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." This statement underscores the gravity of disowning Christ, emphasizing that such denial has eternal consequences.

Peter's Denial of Jesus is a poignant example of disowning in the New Testament. Despite his earlier declarations of unwavering loyalty, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times during the events leading up to the crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-75). This incident highlights human frailty and fear, but also the possibility of repentance and restoration, as Peter is later reinstated by Jesus (John 21:15-19).

Apostolic Writings

The epistles further address the issue of disowning, particularly in the context of false teachings and apostasy. In 2 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us." This passage reinforces the call to steadfastness in faith and the serious implications of denying Christ.

The Apostle John also speaks to the issue of disowning in 1 John 2:22-23, where he identifies the antichrist as one who denies the Father and the Son. He states, "No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well." This teaching emphasizes the inseparable relationship between acknowledging Jesus and being in fellowship with God.

Practical Implications

For believers, the concept of disowning serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining a faithful witness to Christ. It calls for courage and conviction in the face of persecution, societal pressure, or personal trials. The biblical narrative encourages believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and to seek forgiveness and restoration when they falter.

In summary, disowning in the biblical sense is a serious matter with spiritual and eternal ramifications. The Scriptures call believers to a steadfast confession of faith, warning against the dangers of denial while offering hope for repentance and reconciliation.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Disown.5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... revere, or (with suspicion implied), to disregard, ignore, be strange toward, reject,
resign, dissimulate (as if ignorant or disowning) -- acknowledge, X could ...
/hebrew/5234.htm - 6k

Introduction
... And when he charges them with disowning Jesus Christ, it may be a reference to their
view, resembling that of Cerinthus the traditional opponent of St. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 4.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... its honour. The utmost dishonour is done to law by disowning, disobeying,
and despising it, All this, sinning man has done. Hence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

Twenty-Ninth Day. Love of Unity.
... How different "the mind of Jesus!" Sent "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,"
He was never found disowning "other sheep not of that fold." "Them also ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-ninth day love of unity.htm

Standard Expositions of the Roman Catholic System.
... It distinguishes between dogmas and theological opinions; presenting the former
in a light that is least objectionable to reason, and disowning the latter when ...
/.../ 23 standard expositions of.htm

But Now, if You Turn from all These Idle Debates and ...
... And atheism is not the denial of a first omnipotent cause, but is purely and solely
nothing else but the disowning, forsaking, and renouncing the goodness ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-12 but now if you.htm

Peter's Resolution to Follow.
... and by the very law of conjunction has sent Simon before me, in order that these
men, if they shall cease to say that there are many gods, disowning those upon ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter lix peters resolution to follow.htm

Ephesians vi. 3-Jan
... "Provoke not your children to wrath," as many do by disinheriting them, and disowning
them, and treating them overbearingly, not as free, but as slaves. ...
/.../homily xxi ephesians vi 3-jan.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... Whatever their tenets about Christ were, however, he regarded them as implicitly
disowning our sole liege (generally used elsewhere of God) and Lord, Jesus ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

The External History of the Pelagian Controversy.
... questions involved, Pelagius escaped condemnation only by a course of most ingenious
disingenuousness, and only at the cost both of disowning Coelestius and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/ii the external history of.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Shields.
... meaning, and so far was his mind deceived, that by a quibble and nice distinction
they thought that the word might bear, That this was not a disowning of that ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 4.htm

Disowning (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Disown. Multi-Version
Concordance Disowning (1 Occurrence). 2 Peter 2:1 But there ...
/d/disowning.htm - 6k

Disowned (10 Occurrences)

/d/disowned.htm - 9k

Introduce (3 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/i/introduce.htm - 8k

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/f/falsehood.htm - 36k

Fatal (5 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/f/fatal.htm - 8k

Redeemed (78 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/r/redeemed.htm - 31k

Divisions (92 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/d/divisions.htm - 37k

Disowns (5 Occurrences)

/d/disowns.htm - 7k

Denial (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of gainsaying, refusing, or
disowning; negation; -- the contrary of affirmation. 2. (n ...
/d/denial.htm - 7k

Cunningly (3 Occurrences)
... also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among
you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the ...
/c/cunningly.htm - 7k

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