Unfasten
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unfasten" refers to the act of loosening, releasing, or opening something that is secured or bound. In the context of the Bible, the concept of unfastening can be both literal and metaphorical, often symbolizing liberation, freedom, or the breaking of bonds.

Literal Unfastening

In the literal sense, unfastening is seen in various passages where physical bindings or restraints are loosened. For example, in Acts 27:40, during the account of Paul's shipwreck, the sailors "cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time unfastening the ropes that held the rudders." This act of unfastening was crucial for the ship to be maneuvered to safety, illustrating the importance of releasing physical constraints to achieve a desired outcome.

Metaphorical Unfastening

Metaphorically, unfastening can represent spiritual or emotional liberation. In Isaiah 58:6, the prophet speaks of God's chosen fast: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" Here, unfastening is associated with the breaking of spiritual and social chains, emphasizing God's desire for justice and freedom for the oppressed.

Unfastening in the Ministry of Jesus

The ministry of Jesus Christ is replete with instances of unfastening, as He came to set people free from various forms of bondage. In Luke 13:12, Jesus heals a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years, saying, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." This act of unfastening her from physical affliction is a powerful demonstration of His authority to liberate individuals from the constraints of sin and suffering.

Symbolism of Unfastening

Unfastening also carries symbolic significance in the context of salvation and redemption. In John 8:36, Jesus declares, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is not merely physical but encompasses spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin. The unfastening of chains and shackles is a vivid image of the transformative power of Christ's redemptive work.

Unfastening and Christian Living

For believers, the concept of unfastening is integral to the Christian life. It involves the ongoing process of sanctification, where individuals are called to unfasten themselves from worldly attachments and sinful behaviors. Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles us," urging them to run the race of faith with perseverance.

In summary, the theme of unfastening in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, highlighting God's desire to release His people from all forms of bondage. Whether through literal acts of loosening or the metaphorical breaking of spiritual chains, unfastening is a powerful testament to the freedom and deliverance found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(v. t.) To loose; to unfix; to unbind; to untie.
Library

St. Ambrose Turns against the Novatians Themselves Another ...
... not remit them? Why do you bind chains which you do not loose? Why do you
tie knots which you do not unfasten? Forgive the others ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv st ambrose turns.htm

That as Long as we are in this Mortal Life we May Lose the Love of ...
... for His light will be too clear, and His sweetness will bind us so closely to His
goodness, that we shall no longer have the power to will to unfasten ourselves ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that as long.htm

Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.
... As soon as the discovery was announced, they ran to the church of the martyr, and
sent for smiths to unfasten the iron bars, and easily drew off the lid. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter ii discovery of the relics.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Bartholomew.
... at all able to take down the idol. Then the apostle says to them: Unfasten
the ropes. And when they had unfastened them, he said ...
/.../martyrdom of the holy and.htm

Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius.
... We have to unfasten things joined together, we have to sunder things firmly
united. Zacch??us was rich while the apostles were poor. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxvi to pammachius.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... doctrine"; hated by men of lofty pretensions, but who, notwithstanding their boasted
orthodoxy and much advertised piety, are not worthy to unfasten the shoes ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

Thesaurus
Unfasten (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unfasten (4 Occurrences). ... (WEY). John 1:27 He who is to
come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten." (WEY). ...
/u/unfasten.htm - 7k

Sandal-strap (3 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than I--One
whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten. (WEY). ...
/s/sandal-strap.htm - 7k

Unfanned (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfanned.htm - 6k

Undo (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To loose; to open; to take to piece; to unfasten; to untie; hence, to unravel;
to solve; as, to undo a knot; to undo a puzzling question; to undo a ...
/u/undo.htm - 9k

Unbind (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To remove a band from; to set free from shackles
or fastenings; to unite; to unfasten; to loose; as, unbind your fillets; to ...
/u/unbind.htm - 7k

Unfastened (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfastened.htm - 6k

Unworthy (8 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 1:7 His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than
I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten. (WEY). ...
/u/unworthy.htm - 9k

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)
... me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal
I am not worthy to unfasten.' (WEY). Acts 19:31 Certain ...
/r/repeatedly.htm - 14k

Baptizing (16 Occurrences)
... saying to them all, "As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier
than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will ...
/b/baptizing.htm - 11k

Career (3 Occurrences)
... me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal
I am not worthy to unfasten.' (WEY). Galatians 1:13 ...
/c/career.htm - 7k

Resources
Unfasten: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unfasten (4 Occurrences)

Mark 1:7
His announcement was, "There is One coming after me mightier than I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten.
(WEY)

Luke 3:16
he answered the question by saying to them all, "As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(WEY)

John 1:27
He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten."
(WEY)

Acts 13:25
But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "'What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.'
(WEY)

Subtopics

Unfasten

Related Terms

Unloose (4 Occurrences)

Unfathomable (3 Occurrences)

Unfasten (4 Occurrences)

Bolt (5 Occurrences)

Burial (25 Occurrences)

Unfanned
Top of Page
Top of Page