The term "forego" generally means to abstain from, relinquish, or do without something. In a biblical context, the concept of foregoing is often associated with self-denial, sacrifice, and prioritizing spiritual over earthly desires. This principle is evident throughout Scripture, where believers are called to forego certain rights, pleasures, or possessions for the sake of obedience to God and the advancement of His kingdom.

Self-Denial and Discipleship

One of the clearest teachings on foregoing is found in the words of Jesus regarding discipleship. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus states, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). Here, self-denial is a fundamental aspect of following Christ, implying a willingness to forego personal desires and comforts for the sake of one's commitment to Him.

Foregoing Rights for the Gospel

The Apostle Paul provides a practical example of foregoing rights for the sake of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul discusses his right to receive material support from the churches he serves. However, he chooses to forego this right to avoid placing any obstacle in the way of the Gospel. He writes, "But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my boast" (1 Corinthians 9:15). Paul's decision to forego his rights underscores the importance of prioritizing the spread of the Gospel over personal entitlements.

Fasting as a Form of Foregoing

Fasting is another biblical practice that involves foregoing, specifically abstaining from food for a period of time to focus on prayer and spiritual growth. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2), setting an example of foregoing physical sustenance to seek spiritual strength and clarity. Fasting is seen as a way to humble oneself before God, demonstrating reliance on Him rather than on worldly provisions.

Material Possessions and Wealth

The Bible also addresses the concept of foregoing material wealth and possessions. In the account of the rich young ruler, Jesus challenges the man to sell all he has and give to the poor, saying, "Then come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). This call to forego earthly riches highlights the necessity of valuing eternal treasures over temporal ones. The young man's inability to do so serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attachment to material wealth.

Foregoing for the Sake of Others

The principle of foregoing is also evident in the call to love and serve others. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" . This passage encourages believers to forego selfish desires and ambitions in favor of serving and uplifting others, reflecting the selfless love of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of foregoing is deeply intertwined with themes of self-denial, sacrifice, and prioritizing spiritual values over worldly ones. Whether through discipleship, fasting, relinquishing rights, or serving others, believers are called to forego certain aspects of their lives to align more closely with God's will and purposes.(v. i.) To go before; to precede; -- used especially in the present and past participles.FOREGO

for-go'.

See FORGO.

5203. natash -- to leave, forsake, permit
... Definition to leave, forsake, permit NASB Word Usage abandon (7), abandoned (5),
allow (1), cast away (1), ceased (1), drawn (1), fall (1), forego (1), forsake ...
/hebrew/5203.htm - 6k

The Tenth Chapter: do not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Tenth Chapter: Do Not Lightly
Forego Holy Communion. The Voice of Christ YOU must ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the tenth chapter do not.htm

Whether Temporal Goods Should be Foregone on Account of Scandal?
... But we forego what we love less for the sake of what we love more. Therefore we
should forego temporal goods in order to avoid scandalizing our neighbor. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temporal goods should be.htm

Second Address.
... They will not fulfil the condition""Be not conformed to this world;" they will not
forego their conformity even to the extent of a dinner party. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/second address.htm

Whether Spiritual Goods Should be Foregone on Account of Scandal?
... xvii, 2] says that in order to avoid scandal we should forego whatever it is possible
to omit without prejudice to the threefold truth, ie "the truth of life ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether spiritual goods should be.htm

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... islands" seem to him "exceeding dangerous." To adopt as truth what the Church has
believed, solely because the Church has believed it, to forego the personal ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Curiosity.
... water. Few forego the criminal satisfaction of participating in those
detestable conversations, and fewer still, alas! reproach ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xvii curiosity.htm

He that Doubteth is Damned if He Eat, Because He Eateth not of ...
... This is his benevolent conclusion, that he would rather forego the use of flesh
altogether than be the occasion of drawing a weak brother away into idolatry. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that doubteth is damned.htm

Of the Kiss of Peace.
... So, too, on the day of the passover, [8866] when the religious observance of a fast
is general, and as it were public, we justly forego the kiss, caring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter xviii of the kiss of.htm

Chapter eight
... of rest. I am well, and could forego this pleasure, using the money for
some one who needs a vacation more than I do. There are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eight.htm

Of this Weakness of His, He Saith in Another Place...
... such serve not God, but their own belly." [2511] From whom the Apostle wished so
to cut off this occasion, that even what was justly due to him, he would forego ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 13 of this weakness.htm

Forego (2 Occurrences)
... participles. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOREGO. for-go'. See FORGO.
Multi-Version Concordance Forego (2 Occurrences). Romans ...
/f/forego.htm - 7k

Forefront (11 Occurrences)

/f/forefront.htm - 11k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy
of them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Forgo (1 Occurrence)
... bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of
them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year ...
/f/forgo.htm - 7k

Foregoing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forego. Multi-Version
Concordance Foregoing (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:18 For there ...
/f/foregoing.htm - 6k

Tends (8 Occurrences)
... Tends (8 Occurrences). Romans 14:21 The right course is to forego eating meat or
drinking wine or doing anything that tends to your brother's fall. (WEY). ...
/t/tends.htm - 8k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... American)) Job 11:6 (but see below); Psalm 89:22), to demand interest, to be a harsh
and importunate creditor, a practice which Nehemiah asks the Jews to forego...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Exaction (2 Occurrences)
... eg-zak'-shun: (1) mashsha' (Nehemiah 10:31), a demand for money lent on pledge,
which the Jews agreed to forego in the seventh year; (2) gerushah (Ezekiel 45:9 ...
/e/exaction.htm - 7k

Debts (10 Occurrences)
... bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of
them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year ...
/d/debts.htm - 9k

Brother's (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS NIV). Romans 14:21 The right course is to forego eating
meat or drinking wine or doing anything that tends to your brother's fall. ...
/b/brother's.htm - 23k

Can a Christian lose salvation? | GotQuestions.org

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When is it necessary to rebuke another believer? | GotQuestions.org

Forego: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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