Definition and General Understanding:

In a biblical context, "assuming" generally refers to taking something for granted or accepting something as true without proof. It can also imply taking on a role or responsibility. The concept of assuming is addressed in various ways throughout Scripture, often highlighting the importance of discernment, humility, and reliance on God’s wisdom rather than human presumption.

Biblical References:

1. Presumption and Humility:
· Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage warns against assuming one's own understanding is sufficient, emphasizing trust in God.
· James 4:13-15 : "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'" This passage cautions against assuming control over future events, urging submission to God's will.

2. Assuming Roles and Responsibilities:
· Numbers 16:1-3 : The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron illustrates the danger of assuming roles not appointed by God. They presumed to take on priestly duties, leading to their downfall.
· 1 Samuel 13:8-14 : King Saul assumed the role of a priest by offering a burnt offering, an act reserved for Samuel. This presumption led to God's rejection of Saul as king.

3. Assumptions in Relationships:
· Matthew 7:1-2 : "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This teaching of Jesus warns against assuming the right to judge others, highlighting the need for humility and self-awareness.
· Romans 14:13 : "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." Paul advises against assuming motives or actions of others, promoting unity and understanding within the Christian community.

Theological Implications:

Assuming, in the sense of presumption, is often linked to pride and a lack of faith. The Bible consistently encourages believers to seek God's guidance and wisdom rather than relying on their own assumptions. This reliance on divine wisdom is a cornerstone of a faithful life, as it acknowledges God's sovereignty and human limitations.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to practice humility and seek God's will in all aspects of life. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking counsel from mature Christians. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of assuming roles or making decisions without divine guidance. Additionally, fostering a spirit of understanding and grace in relationships helps prevent assumptions that can lead to conflict and division.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assume.

2. (a.) Pretentious; taking much upon one's self; presumptuous.

498. antitasso -- to range in battle against, to set oneself ...
... Accordingly, 498 () is used in antiquity of resistance, like an army assuming a
specific battle-array position to resist in "full alignment"; to disagree ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/498.htm - 8k

3011. leitourgos -- a public servant, a minister, a servant
... generally," (). That is, "a servant of the state, assuming public office
to be administered at his own expense" (, 1, 461, fn 5).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3011.htm - 8k

4964. suschematizo -- to conform to
... 4964 (from 4862 , "identified " and , "having shape") -- properly, assuming a
similar form (expression) by following the same (model, mold). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4964.htm - 7k

8071. simlah -- a wrapper, mantle
... Perhaps by permutation for the feminine of cemel (through the idea of a cover assuming
the shape of the object beneath); a dress, especially a mantle -- apparel ...
/hebrew/8071.htm - 6k

He Does Wrong in Assuming, to Account for the Existence of the ...
... Book I. Section 20. He does wrong in assuming, to account for the existence of
the Only-Begotten, an energy' that produced Christ's Person. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 20 he does wrong.htm

Letter cxxxvii. To Antipater, on his Assuming the Governorship of ...
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter CXXXVII. To
Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxxxvii to antipater on.htm

After Assuming that Some Things were Foretold which are Impossible ...
... Chapter XV. After assuming that some things were foretold which are
impossible in themselves? After assuming that some things ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xv after assuming that.htm

Of the Mode of Union on the Part of the Person Assuming (Eight ...
... OF THE MODE OF UNION ON THE PART OF THE PERSON ASSUMING (EIGHT ARTICLES).
We must now consider the union on the part of the Person ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the mode of union 2.htm

Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information ...
... It was a better tone which Porphyry adopted in his letter to Anebo the Egyptian,
in which, assuming the character of an inquirer consulting him, he unmasks and ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of porphyrys epistle to.htm

The Likeness of the Divine Word, Such as it Is, is to be Sought ...
... For our word is so made in some way into an articulate sound of the body, by assuming
that articulate sound by which it may be manifested to men's senses, as ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the likeness of the.htm

Whether one Person Without Another Can Assume a Created Nature?
... OF THE MODE OF UNION ON THE PART OF THE PERSON ASSUMING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
one Person without another can assume a created nature? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one person without another.htm

Whether Union is the Same as Assumption?
... But union and assumption seem to follow the action and passion of the thing
uniting and the united, of the thing assuming and the assumed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether union is the same.htm

Authenticity.
... 5. In the case of Barnabas, the resemblances can be accounted for (a) by accepting
the priority of the Teaching, or (b) by assuming a common (earlier and ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/section 4 authenticity.htm

James iii. 1, 2
... be not many of you teachers]." As the ground of this warning, he refers to the
increased responsibility which one draws upon himself, by assuming to be the ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iii 1 2.htm

Assuming (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Assuming (6 Occurrences). ... And assuming a stern tone
Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know." (WEY). ...
/a/assuming.htm - 8k

Mislead (13 Occurrences)
... NAS). Matthew 24:5 "for many will come assuming my name and saying 'I am the
Christ;' and they will mislead many. (WEY DBY NAS). Matthew ...
/m/mislead.htm - 10k

Assumption (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of assuming, or taking to or upon
one's self; the act of taking up or adopting. 2. (n.) The ...
/a/assumption.htm - 7k

Evolution
... From this beginning it advances to its later stages of growth as an embryo, assuming
successively the typical forms of higher organisms until it attains the ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Qualify (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To obtain legal power or capacity by taking the oath, or complying with
the forms required, on assuming an office. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/q/qualify.htm - 8k

Vedan (1 Occurrence)
...Assuming that Vedan is the correct reading, an identification may be conjectured
with Waddan, also called al-`Abwa`, between Mecca and Medina. ...
/v/vedan.htm - 7k

Upsetting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Conceited; assuming; as, an upsetting fellow.
Multi-Version Concordance Upsetting (3 Occurrences). ...
/u/upsetting.htm - 7k

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)
... the Israelites. His antecedents are obscure. Assuming Gilead to be the
actual name of his father, his mother was a harlot. He was ...
/j/jephthah.htm - 20k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... subjects, while threatening all traitors with punishment (brambles carry forest
fires), quite in the manner of an oriental monarch on assuming the throne. ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

License (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That deviation from strict fact, form, or rule, in which an artist or writer
indulges, assuming that it will be permitted for the sake of the advantage ...
/l/license.htm - 8k

What is the canopy theory? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus actually born in September? | GotQuestions.org

What is an infidel? | GotQuestions.org

Assuming: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus