Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, "forbidding" refers to the act of prohibiting or restraining certain actions, behaviors, or teachings. This concept is addressed in various passages throughout Scripture, often highlighting the importance of adhering to divine commandments and the dangers of false teachings.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the concept of forbidding is often associated with the commandments and laws given by God to the Israelites. These laws were intended to set the Israelites apart as a holy people and to guide them in righteous living. For instance, in Deuteronomy 4:2 , it is written, "You shall not add to the word that I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you." This verse underscores the importance of adhering strictly to God's commands without alteration, thus forbidding any deviation from His instructions. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the theme of forbidding is often related to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, particularly in the context of false teachings and practices that could lead believers astray. In 1 Timothy 4:1-3 , the apostle Paul warns, "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." Here, Paul addresses the issue of false teachers who impose unnecessary restrictions, thus forbidding practices that God has not prohibited. Apostolic Authority and Forbidding The apostles, as leaders of the early church, exercised authority in forbidding certain practices that were contrary to the teachings of Christ. In Acts 15:28-29 , during the Jerusalem Council, the apostles and elders wrote to the Gentile believers, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things." This directive was intended to maintain the purity of the faith and to prevent practices that could lead to spiritual harm. Forbidding and Christian Liberty While certain prohibitions are necessary for maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity, the New Testament also emphasizes the principle of Christian liberty. In Romans 14:3-4 , Paul writes, "The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." This passage highlights the balance between necessary prohibitions and the freedom believers have in Christ, cautioning against imposing personal convictions as universal mandates. Conclusion The biblical concept of forbidding serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's commandments while being wary of false teachings and unnecessary restrictions. It calls for discernment in distinguishing between divine mandates and human traditions, ensuring that the faith remains pure and unencumbered by legalism. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forbid.2. (a.) Repelling approach; repulsive; raising abhorrence, aversion, or dislike; disagreeable; prohibiting or interdicting; as, a forbidding aspect; a forbidding formality; a forbidding air. Greek 4811. sukophanteo -- to accuse falsely ... From a compound of sukon and a derivative of phaino; to be a fig-informer (reporter of the law forbidding the exportation of figs from Greece), "sycophant", ie ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4811.htm - 7k 209. akolutos -- without hindrance 2967. koluo -- to hinder Library Receiving and Forbidding God was Justified in Forbidding Man to Eat of the Tree of ... If the Sentence is one of Command, Either Forbidding a Crime or ... The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ... Whether the Second Precept of the Decalogue is Fittingly Expressed ... Whether the Other Six Precepts of the Decalogue are Fittingly ... Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Suitably Set Forth? Whether it is Right to Distinguish Other Moral Precepts of the Law ... 1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan Faustus Repels the Insinuation that the Prophecy of Paul with ... Thesaurus Forbidding (6 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Repelling approach; repulsive; raising abhorrence, aversion, or dislike; disagreeable; prohibiting or interdicting; as, a forbidding aspect; a ... /f/forbidding.htm - 8k Prohibition (1 Occurrence) Forbid (46 Occurrences) Forbids (6 Occurrences) Keys (2 Occurrences) Numenius Nation (192 Occurrences) Utmost (21 Occurrences) Uttermost (48 Occurrences) Oath (286 Occurrences) Resources Why does the Bible speak against wearing clothing made of different types of fabric? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy? | GotQuestions.org Who was Jezebel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Forbidding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Forbidding (6 Occurrences)Matthew 3:14 Mark 3:12 Luke 23:2 Acts 28:31 1 Thessalonians 2:16 1 Timothy 4:3 Subtopics Related Terms |