The term "unloose" is an archaic English word that means to release, untie, or set free. In biblical contexts, it often refers to the act of freeing someone or something from bonds or constraints. The concept of unloosing is significant in both literal and metaphorical senses throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Usage

1. Literal Unloosing: In the Bible, unloosing can refer to the physical act of releasing someone from chains or bonds. For example, in Acts 16:26, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, a miraculous earthquake occurred: "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose" . Here, the unloosing of chains symbolizes divine intervention and liberation.

2. Metaphorical Unloosing: The concept of unloosing is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral liberation. In John 8:36, Jesus speaks of the freedom He offers: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" . This unloosing from sin and spiritual bondage is a central theme of the Gospel message.

3. Authority to Unloose: The authority to bind and unloose is a significant theme in the New Testament, particularly in the context of church authority and discipline. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" . This passage has been interpreted to mean that the church, through its leaders, has the authority to make binding decisions in spiritual matters.

4. Prophetic Unloosing: In the prophetic literature, unloosing can refer to the breaking of bonds or the release from captivity. Isaiah 58:6 speaks of the kind of fasting that pleases God: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" . This highlights God's desire for justice and liberation for the oppressed.

Theological Implications

The act of unloosing in the Bible often points to God's power to liberate and redeem. It underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over physical and spiritual realms, emphasizing His ability to free individuals from both literal and metaphorical chains. The authority given to the church to bind and unloose reflects the responsibility of believers to uphold truth and administer discipline in accordance with divine will.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of unloosing serves as a reminder of the freedom found in Christ. It encourages Christians to seek liberation from sin and to extend grace and forgiveness to others. Additionally, it calls the church to exercise its authority responsibly, ensuring that its actions align with the teachings of Scripture and the example of Christ.1. (v. t.) To make loose; to loosen; to set free.

2. (v. i.) To become unfastened; to lose all connection or union.

360. analuo -- to unloose for departure
... to unloose for departure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: analuo Phonetic
Spelling: (an-al-oo'-o) Short Definition: I depart, return Definition: I unloose ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/360.htm - 6k

1956. epiluo -- to loose, to solve
... decide. Cognate: 1956 (from 1909 , ", fitting," intensifying 3089 , "to
loose") -- properly, unloose ("aptly unpack"). [The noun ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1956.htm - 7k

1590. ekluo -- to loose, release, to grow weary
... Verb Transliteration: ekluo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-loo'-o) Short Definition: I am
unstrung, become weak, fail Definition: I loose, release, unloose (as a bow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1590.htm - 7k

Concerning the Words Ascribed to John by all the Four Evangelists ...
... he says, "whose shoes I am not worthy to bear;" but according to the other, his
words are, "the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose." The latter ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter xii concerning the words ascribed.htm

The Manifestation of the Messiah
... proclaim the King, and soon dying on the desert air, whilst the person of the crier
is unnoticed and unsought for; but I may not presume to unloose the latchet ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/vii the manifestation of the.htm

God Calling Yet.
... Where but with Him, are rest and peace abiding? Unloose, unloose, break earthly
bonds asunder,. And let this spirit rise in soaring wonder. God calling yet! ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/god calling yet.htm

How the Baptist Answers the Question of the Pharisees and Exalts ...
... but in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, even He who cometh after
me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose." Heracleon considers ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 how the baptist answers.htm

Comparison of John's Testimony to Jesus in the Different Gospels.
... says, [4908] "John preached, saying, There cometh after me He that is mightier than
I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 comparison of johns testimony.htm

Heracleon's view of this Utterance of John the Baptist, and ...
... The words, however, "Whose shoe-latchet I am not worthy to unloose," receive much
too simple an interpretation when it is said that "in these words the Baptist ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 heracleons view of this.htm

John i. 35-37
... Now observe; he had said, "He that cometh after me, is preferred before me": and
that "I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of His shoe"; and that "He ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xviii john i 35-37.htm

John i. 19
... water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming
after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xvi john i 19.htm

Jesus and his Forerunner.
... standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred
be fore me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." John set the ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter iii jesus and his.htm

John Chapter i. 19-33
... after me, who is made before me" (that is, as we have already said, is "preferred
before me"), whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." How greatly ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate iv john chapter i.htm

Unloose (4 Occurrences)
...Unloose (4 Occurrences). ... John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/u/unloose.htm - 7k

Latchet (4 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet
of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. ...
/l/latchet.htm - 8k

Thong (5 Occurrences)
... 16 John answered all, saying, I indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier
than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; he shall ...
/t/thong.htm - 8k

Shoes (32 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet
of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. ...
/s/shoes.htm - 16k

Fit (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Mark 1:7 And he preached, saying, There comes he that is mightier than
I after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to stoop down and unloose. ...
/f/fit.htm - 23k

Unlocked (1 Occurrence)

/u/unlocked.htm - 6k

Unloosing (1 Occurrence)

/u/unloosing.htm - 6k

Baptise (7 Occurrences)
... 16 John answered all, saying, I indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier
than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; he shall ...
/b/baptise.htm - 8k

Shoe's (1 Occurrence)
... Shoe's (1 Occurrence). John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (KJV). ...
/s/shoe's.htm - 6k

Shoe (13 Occurrences)
... Shoe (13 Occurrences). John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before
me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (KJV ASV BBE WBS). ...
/s/shoe.htm - 18k

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