The concept of "restrain" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of self-control, divine intervention, and moral boundaries. The term is often associated with God's sovereign power to limit or control actions, both human and supernatural, as well as the personal responsibility of individuals to exercise self-discipline.

Divine Restraint

God's ability to restrain is evident throughout Scripture, where He exercises control over creation and human affairs. In Genesis 20:6, God intervenes to prevent Abimelech from sinning with Sarah, saying, "Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her." This passage highlights God's active role in restraining individuals from committing sin.

In the context of judgment, God also restrains His wrath. In Isaiah 48:9, the Lord declares, "For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath, and for My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off." Here, restraint is an expression of God's mercy and patience, allowing time for repentance.

Human Responsibility and Self-Restraint

The Bible frequently calls believers to practice self-restraint as a virtue. Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." This proverb underscores the importance of controlling one's emotions and actions, aligning with the broader biblical theme of wisdom and self-discipline.

In the New Testament, self-restraint is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including "self-control," as evidence of a life led by the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects their faith, exercising restraint in their conduct.

Moral and Ethical Boundaries

Restraint is also related to the moral and ethical boundaries set by God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Paul exhorts believers, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This passage emphasizes the need for restraint in maintaining purity and honoring God with one's body.

Restraint in Spiritual Warfare

In the realm of spiritual warfare, restraint is a key element. James 4:7 advises, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Resisting temptation and the devil requires a conscious effort to restrain oneself from succumbing to evil influences.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of restraint is integral to understanding God's interaction with humanity and the moral expectations placed upon believers. It encompasses divine intervention, personal self-control, and adherence to God's commandments, reflecting a life that honors God and aligns with His will.1. (v. t.) To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.

2. (v. t.) To draw back tightly, as a rein.

3. (v. t.) To hinder from unlimited enjoinment; to abridge.

4. (v. t.) To limit; to confine; to restrict.

5. (v. t.) To withhold; to forbear.

4724. stello -- to arrange, prepare, gather up, hence to restrain
... to arrange, prepare, gather up, hence to restrain. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
stello Phonetic Spelling: (stel'-lo) Short Definition: I arrange, take ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4724.htm - 6k

3973. pauo -- to make to cease, hinder
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pauo Phonetic Spelling: (pow'-o) Short Definition:
I cause to cease Definition: (a) act: I cause to cease, restrain, hinder, (b ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3973.htm - 7k

2687. katastello -- to keep down
... to keep down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katastello Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I appease, restrain Definition: I let down ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2687.htm - 6k

4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stenochoreo Phonetic Spelling: (sten-okh-o-
reh'-o) Short Definition: I press upon, cramp, restrain Definition: (I keep ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4729.htm - 7k

2722. katecho -- to hold fast, hold back
... hold fast, hold back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katecho Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I hold fast, bind, restrain Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2722.htm - 7k

5468. chalinagogeo -- to lead with a bridle
... Verb Transliteration: chalinagogeo Phonetic Spelling: (khal-in-ag-ogue-eh'-o) Short
Definition: I bridle, curb Definition: I bridle, curb, restrain, sway. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5468.htm - 6k

3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold
... 3606, 3607. kala. 3608 . to shut up, restrain, withhold. Transliteration: kala
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-law') Short Definition: shut. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3607.htm - 6k

1639. gara -- to diminish, restrain, withdraw
... 1638, 1639. gara. 1640 . to diminish, restrain, withdraw. Transliteration:
gara Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-rah') Short Definition: withdrawn. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/1639.htm - 6k

2413. chatam -- to hold in, restrain
... 2412, 2413. chatam. 2414 . to hold in, restrain. Transliteration: chatam Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-tam') Short Definition: restrain. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2413.htm - 5k

6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... 6112, 6113. atsar. 6114 . to restrain, retain. Transliteration: atsar Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-tsar') Short Definition: shut. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6113.htm - 6k

3234. Yimna -- "He will restrain," an Asherite
... "He will restrain," an Asherite. Transliteration: Yimna Phonetic Spelling:
(yim-naw') Short Definition: Imna. ... From mana'; he will restrain; Jimna, an Israelite: ...
/hebrew/3234.htm - 6k

5106. nu -- to hinder, restrain, frustrate
... 5105, 5106. nu. 5107 . to hinder, restrain, frustrate. Transliteration: nu
Phonetic Spelling: (noo) Short Definition: forbid. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5106.htm - 6k

662. aphaq -- to hold, be strong
... root Definition to hold, be strong NASB Word Usage control (1), controlled (2),
forced (1), restrain (1), restrained (2). force oneself, restrain. ...
/hebrew/662.htm - 6k

4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... hold back NASB Word Usage held back (2), hinder (1), hold back (1), holds (1), keep
(2), keep back (1), kept (1), refuse (2), restrain (1), restrained (2 ...
/hebrew/4513.htm - 6k

6117. aqab -- to follow at the heel, assail insidiously ...
... from aqeb Definition to follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach
NASB Word Usage deals craftily (1), heel (1), restrain (1), supplanted (1 ...
/hebrew/6117.htm - 6k

1219. batsar -- to cut off, make inaccessible, enclose
... mighty things (1), thwarted (1). cut off, fortify, grape gatherer, mighty
things, restrain, strong, wall up,. A primitive root; to ...
/hebrew/1219.htm - 6k

Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do ...
... is no need of restraint." "Make known to me, sir," say I, "in what cases restraint
has to be exercised, and in what cases it has not." "Restrain yourself in ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment eighth we ought to.htm

Seventh Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Resist Sin.
... All sovereigns establish laws to restrain evil and preserve order. ... Whatever is done
secretly and never comes before him, he cannot punish or restrain. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventh sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... is also possible to the being, who permits, either according to right, or according
to capability, or in both respects, and, when used, would restrain, or in ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

How Herod and Sosius Took Jerusalem by Force; and what Death ...
... 2. Now as for the robberies which were committed, the king contrived that ambushes
should be so laid, that they might restrain their excursions; and as for the ...
/.../chapter 18 how herod and.htm

Concerning the Living Soul, Birds, and Fishes (Ver. 24) --The ...
... But the living soul takes its origin from the earth, for it is not profitable, unless
to those already among the faithful, to restrain themselves from the love ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxi concerning the living soul.htm

Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ...
... not cautiously, by the poor glimmering light of a lantern, some Prophet had stood
by you and had cried out: "O writer, suppress those words, restrain your pen ...
/.../21 now suppose that while.htm

Thus Much Will Suffice to have Treated on Behalf of True ...
... He made. They who hold contrary to this truth, what doth it profit them
to restrain lusts? if, that is, they restrain any. What ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 26 thus much will.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... I confess I cannot restrain my laughter when, at the prompting of some clever
person, you strike up a hymn in honour of Epiphanius. ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Of God, his Care and Anger.
... I speak of those in particular who are in our own power, as slaves, children, wives,
and pupils; for when we see these offend, we are incited to restrain them. ...
/.../chap xvii of god his care.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 31,"If I Bear Witness of ...
... God hath given thee power by His Spirit to restrain thy members. Lust riseth up,
restrain thy members; what can it do now that it hath risen? ...
/.../sermon lxxviii on the words.htm

Restrain (31 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To limit; to confine; to restrict. 5. (vt) To withhold; to forbear.
Multi-Version Concordance Restrain (31 Occurrences). ...
/r/restrain.htm - 15k

Incontinency (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Incapacity to hold; hence, incapacity to hold back or restrain; the quality
or state of being incontinent; want of continence; failure to restrain the ...
/i/incontinency.htm - 7k

Curb (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend to one's will;
to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to confine; to keep in check. ...
/c/curb.htm - 9k

Control (88 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint. 3.
(n.) Power or authority to check or restrain; restraining ...
/c/control.htm - 33k

Restrained (51 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Restrain. ... Psalms 40:9 I have proclaimed tidings of righteousness In
the great assembly, lo, my lips I restrain not, O Jehovah, Thou hast known. ...
/r/restrained.htm - 22k

Bind (68 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind;
as, attraction binds the planets to the sun; frost binds the earth, or the ...
/b/bind.htm - 32k

Forbid (46 Occurrences)
... koluo): Occurs very seldom in the Old Testament except as the rendering of chalilah
(see below); it is once the translation of kala', "to restrain" (Numbers 11 ...
/f/forbid.htm - 23k

Dam (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing
a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally used with in or up. ...
/d/dam.htm - 9k

Contain (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
4. (vi) To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity. Int. ...
/c/contain.htm - 13k

Stint (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To restrain within certain limits; to bound;
to confine; to restrain; to restrict to a scant allowance. ...
/s/stint.htm - 7k

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