Annulling
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Definition and Usage:
Annulling, in a biblical context, refers to the act of declaring something invalid or void, often in relation to covenants, laws, or decrees. The concept of annulling is significant in understanding the permanence and authority of God's word and promises, as well as the limitations of human authority in altering divine decrees.

Biblical References:

1. Divine Covenants:
· The Bible emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God's covenants. In Galatians 3:15, Paul uses the example of a human covenant to illustrate the permanence of God's promises: "Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be annulled or amended." This underscores the idea that God's covenants, such as the Abrahamic covenant, are irrevocable and not subject to annulment by human actions.

2. The Law and Grace:
· The relationship between the Law and grace is a central theme in the New Testament. In Hebrews 7:18-19, the author discusses the annulment of the former commandment due to its weakness and unprofitability: "So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." This passage highlights the transition from the Old Covenant, based on the Law, to the New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, which offers a more perfect hope.

3. Human Traditions vs. God's Commandments:
· Jesus addresses the issue of annulling God's commandments through human traditions in Mark 7:13: "Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters." Here, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for allowing their traditions to override the commandments of God, effectively annulling divine authority in favor of human customs.

4. Marriage and Divorce:
· The topic of annulling marriage is addressed in the context of divorce. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus speaks to the sanctity and permanence of marriage: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." This teaching emphasizes that marriage, as instituted by God, should not be annulled by human decision, reflecting the seriousness with which God views the marriage covenant.

Theological Implications:

· Permanence of God's Word:
The concept of annulling highlights the enduring nature of God's word and promises. Scriptures affirm that God's decrees are eternal and unchangeable, as seen in Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This assurance provides believers with confidence in the reliability and faithfulness of God's promises.

· Human Limitations:
The Bible consistently teaches that human authority is limited in its ability to alter or annul what God has established. This is evident in the warnings against adding to or taking away from God's word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). Such limitations serve as a reminder of the supremacy of divine authority over human traditions and interpretations.

· Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The principle of annulling is also relevant in moral and ethical discussions, particularly in maintaining the integrity of God's commandments. Believers are called to uphold God's standards without compromise, resisting the temptation to nullify divine commands through cultural or personal preferences.

In summary, the concept of annulling in the Bible serves as a reminder of the unchanging nature of God's word and the limitations of human authority in altering divine decrees. It calls believers to uphold the integrity of God's commandments and to trust in the permanence of His promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Annul.
Library

Excursus on the Later History of Canon xxviii.
... an Apostolic See," and adds that "only from love of peace and for the restoration
of the unity of the faith" he has "abstained from annulling this ordination ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the later history.htm

Christ's Authority Over the Sabbath as Its Lord He Recalled it ...
... Sabbath. Nor could there be any discussion about His annulling [3854] the
Sabbath, if He had a right [3855] to annul it. Moreover ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xii christs authority over the.htm

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
... This then is in itself a strong argument, that the aim of the present Councils was
not truth, but the annulling of the acts of Nic??a; but the proceedings of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/councils of ariminum and seleucia.htm

The Holy See and the Wandering of the Nations.
... Leo as exercising this Primacy by annulling the acts of an Ecumenical Council, the
second of Ephesus, legitimately called and attended by his own legates ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter i the holy see.htm

Caesar Fell Down.
... All had supported St. Leo in the annulling that unhappy Council which compromised
the faith of the Church so long as it was allowed to count as a Council. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter ii caesar fell down.htm

Fifth Tractate. On Potentiality and Actuality.
... which are to be received, which it welcomes by its nature and even strives for "
sometimes in gain but sometimes, also, to loss, to the annulling of some ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fifth tractate on potentiality and.htm

The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act of ...
... Inasmuch, then, as these parts of the body are severally devastated by an injury
proper to each of them, even to the very last ruin and annulling of the vital ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter liii the entire soul being.htm

Matt. v. 17
... For although they fulfilled not the law, yet nevertheless they were possessed with
much conscientious regard to it; and whilst they were annulling it every day ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xvi matt v 17.htm

John vi. 1, 4
... into Galilee, and not Himself alone, but taketh His disciples with Him, and proceedeth
thence to Capernaum?" Because henceforth He was quietly annulling the Law ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlii john vi 1.htm

On the Epistle to the Galatians the Abolition of the Ordinances of ...
... fond assumption of the Galatians, which led them to suppose that faith in Christ
(the Creator's Christ, of course) was obligatory, but without annulling the law ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ii on the epistle to.htm

Thesaurus
Annulling (3 Occurrences)
...Annulling (3 Occurrences). Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing
commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/a/annulling.htm - 7k

Annulled (12 Occurrences)

/a/annulled.htm - 10k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... Disorderly conduct of the wife is sufficient for the annulling of the marriage;
in this case the husband may reduce the wife to the state of a slave (section ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Uselessness (1 Occurrence)
... Uselessness (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing
commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/u/uselessness.htm - 6k

Weakness (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment
because of its weakness and uselessness (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/w/weakness.htm - 14k

Foregoing (1 Occurrence)
... Foregoing (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing
commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (WEB ASV). ...
/f/foregoing.htm - 6k

Regulation (6 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its
weakness and uselessness (See NIV). Exodus 15:25 Then he cried to Yahweh. ...
/r/regulation.htm - 8k

Defeat (16 Occurrences)
... to overthrow. 4. (vt) To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault. 5.
(n.) An undoing or annulling; destruction. 6. (v.) Frustration ...
/d/defeat.htm - 12k

Annuls (4 Occurrences)

/a/annuls.htm - 7k

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Hebrews 7:18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing
commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (Root in WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Resources
What is Donatism? | GotQuestions.org

Annulling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Annulling (3 Occurrences)

Hebrews 7:18
For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Zechariah 11:10
I took my staff Favor, and cut it apart, that I might break my covenant that I had made with all the peoples.
(See RSV)

Zechariah 11:14
Then I cut apart my other staff, even Union, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Annulling

Annulment

Related Terms

Annulled (12 Occurrences)

Code (6 Occurrences)

Uselessness (1 Occurrence)

Weakness (25 Occurrences)

Foregoing (1 Occurrence)

Regulation (6 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Annuls (4 Occurrences)

Useless (47 Occurrences)

Hammurabi

Weak (102 Occurrences)

Commandment (209 Occurrences)

Annulled
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