Definition and Usage:
The term "avow" refers to the act of openly declaring or affirming something. In a biblical context, it often involves a public declaration of faith, commitment, or truth. Avowing is an expression of one's beliefs or intentions, often in the presence of others, and can be seen as a form of testimony or confession.

Biblical Context:
While the specific term "avow" may not frequently appear in the Bible, the concept is prevalent throughout Scripture. Avowing is closely related to the ideas of confession, profession, and declaration, which are integral to the life of faith.

Old Testament Examples:
In the Old Testament, avowing is often associated with vows made to God. These vows are solemn promises or commitments that individuals make, often in response to God's faithfulness or as part of a covenant relationship. For example, in Numbers 30:2 , it is written, "If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself with a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised."

The act of avowing is also seen in the public declarations of faith and allegiance to God. Joshua's famous declaration in Joshua 24:15 serves as an example: "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!"

New Testament Examples:
In the New Testament, avowing is often linked to the confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 emphasizes the importance of this confession: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This verse highlights the necessity of openly declaring one's faith as part of the salvation experience.

The Apostle Paul frequently avowed his faith and mission, as seen in Acts 26:22 , where he states, "But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen."

Theological Significance:
Avowing one's faith is a critical aspect of Christian discipleship. It is an outward expression of an inward belief, serving as a witness to others and a reinforcement of one's commitment to God. The act of avowing is not merely a personal declaration but also a communal one, as it often takes place within the context of the church or community of believers.

In the life of a believer, avowing can take many forms, including baptism, public testimony, and participation in the sacraments. Each of these acts serves as a reaffirmation of faith and a declaration of allegiance to Christ.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to avow their faith regularly, both in word and deed. This can involve sharing one's testimony, participating in corporate worship, and living a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus. Avowing is not limited to verbal declarations but is also demonstrated through actions that align with biblical principles.

In summary, while the specific term "avow" may not be frequently used in Scripture, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. It encompasses the ideas of confession, commitment, and public declaration, all of which are essential to the Christian faith.1. (v. t.) To declare openly; to own or acknowledge frankly; as, a man avows his principles or his crimes.

2. (v. t.) To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See Avowry.

3. (n.) Avowal.

4. (n.) To bind, or to devote, by a vow.

5. (n.) A vow or determination.

Review
... the singular circumstance that these seven writers "have written in entire independence
of one another, and without concert or comparison." They avow a common ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/review.htm

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Defend Himself with ...
... Accordingly it is lawful for the accused to defend himself by withholding the truth
that he is not bound to avow, by suitable means, for instance by not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 7.htm

Joseph and Nicodemus
... How many of us are there who have beliefs about social and moral questions which
we are ashamed to avow in certain companies for fear of the finger of ridicule ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/joseph and nicodemus.htm

Whether Twelve Degrees of Humility are Fittingly Distinguished in ...
... Reply to Objection 1: It is possible, without falsehood, to deem and avow oneself
the most despicable of men, as regards the hidden faults which we acknowledge ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether twelve degrees of humility.htm

The Book of God
... such. There are, again, those who avow that the Bible deserves all praise
because of the literary excellence of its style. There ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iv the book of.htm

Letter iv. You Reply to the Conclusion of My Letter: "What have we ...
... notwithstanding its irrationality, and in the face of your expostulation, grounded
on the palpableness of its irrationality,"I must still avow my belief that ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter iv you reply to.htm

Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon.
... on your heart. To us, ignorant outsiders you speak in parables; but to
your own followers you avow your secret meaning. And for ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxiii to ctesiphon.htm

Schools.
... due limits"the missionaries, while earnestly desiring the temporal welfare of their
pupils, are actuated by a still higher motive, which they constantly avow ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xii schools.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... not haughty or disdainful; He has "married an Ethiopian woman." [342] When once
you desire the wisdom of the true Solomon and come to Him, He will avow all His ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... be his servants for ever? Do you take up his cross? Do you avow yourselves
to be his followers, come what may? If so, then are ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

Avow (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Avow (3 Occurrences). Matthew 7:23 and then will I avow
unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, workers of lawlessness. (DBY). ...
/a/avow.htm - 7k

Lawlessness (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lawlessness (13 Occurrences). Matthew 7:23 and then will
I avow unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, workers of lawlessness. ...
/l/lawlessness.htm - 10k

Recognize (52 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To avow knowledge of; to allow that one knows; to consent to admit, hold,
or the like; to admit with a formal acknowledgment; as, to recognize an ...
/r/recognize.htm - 21k

Declare (346 Occurrences)
... announce. 3. (vt) To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; to set forth;
to avow; as, he declares the story to be false. 4. (vt ...
/d/declare.htm - 37k

Protest (37 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To affirm in a public or formal manner;
to bear witness; to declare solemnly; to avow. 2. (vi) To ...
/p/protest.htm - 18k

Profess (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.;
to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely. ...
/p/profess.htm - 11k

Adjuration (2 Occurrences)
... We have in the New Testament a striking example of this (Matthew 26:63; Mark 5:7),
where the high priest calls upon Christ to avow his true character. ...
/a/adjuration.htm - 10k

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity;
to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed. Int. ...
/a/acknowledge.htm - 26k

Avowed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Avow. 2. (a.) Openly acknowledged or
declared; admitted. Multi-Version Concordance Avowed (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/avowed.htm - 6k

Avouched (2 Occurrences)

/a/avouched.htm - 7k

How can the Incarnation be reconciled with God's immutability? If God cannot change, then how can He become man? | GotQuestions.org

Avow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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