Definition and Usage:
The term "refrain" in biblical context generally refers to the act of holding back, abstaining, or restraining oneself from certain actions or behaviors. It is often associated with self-control, patience, and obedience to God's commandments. The concept of refraining is integral to the moral and ethical teachings found throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of discipline and the avoidance of sin.

Biblical References:

1. Refraining from Evil:
The Bible frequently instructs believers to refrain from evil and sinful behaviors. In 1 Peter 3:10-11 , it is written, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.'" This passage highlights the importance of refraining from harmful speech and actions as a pathway to a righteous life.

2. Refraining from Anger:
Anger is a natural human emotion, but the Bible advises believers to refrain from letting it lead to sin. Psalm 37:8 states, "Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm." This verse underscores the destructive potential of unchecked anger and the wisdom in exercising restraint.

3. Refraining from Judgment:
The Bible also teaches the importance of refraining from judgment and condemnation of others. In Matthew 7:1-2 , Jesus instructs, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." This teaching encourages believers to practice humility and compassion, recognizing their own fallibility.

4. Refraining from Idolatry:
Idolatry, or the worship of false gods, is a sin that the Bible repeatedly warns against. In Acts 15:20 , the apostles instruct Gentile believers to "abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood." Refraining from idolatry is a fundamental aspect of maintaining faithfulness to God.

5. Refraining from Sexual Immorality:
Sexual purity is a significant theme in the Bible, with numerous exhortations to refrain from sexual immorality. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 advises, "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." This passage emphasizes the call to live a life of sanctity and self-control.

Theological Implications:

Refraining from certain actions is not merely about avoidance but is deeply connected to the pursuit of holiness and alignment with God's will. It reflects a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the fruits of self-control and discipline. The act of refraining is a testament to one's faith and commitment to living according to biblical principles.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of refraining from behaviors that are contrary to God's commandments. This involves regular self-examination, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. By doing so, Christians can grow in their spiritual maturity and witness to the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.1. (v. t.) To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern.

2. (v. t.) To abstain from

3. (v. i.) To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain.

4. (n.) The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition.

3973. pauo -- to make to cease, hinder
... cease, leave, refrain. A primary verb ("pause"); to stop (transitively or
intransitively), ie Restrain, quit, desist, come to an end -- cease, leave, refrain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3973.htm - 7k

868. aphistemi -- to lead away, to depart from
... depart, fall away, refrain, withdraw self. ... depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw
self. see GREEK apo. see GREEK histemi. (apeste) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/868.htm - 7k

567. apechomai -- abstain.
... of apecho, qv. abstain. Middle voice (reflexively) of apecho; to hold oneself off,
ie Refrain -- abstain. see GREEK apecho. (apechesthai) -- 5 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/567.htm - 6k

2270. hesuchazo -- to be still, be silent
... From the same as hesuchios; to keep still (intransitively), ie Refrain from labor,
meddlesomeness or speech -- cease, hold peace, be quiet, rest. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2270.htm - 6k

2664. katapauo -- to cause to cease, to rest
... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap-ow'-o) Short Definition: I rest, cause to rest Definition:
(a) trans: I cause to rest, bring to rest; I cause to refrain, (b) intrans ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2664.htm - 6k

3361. me -- not, that...not, lest (used for qualified negation)
... 1), never (17), never* (16), no (67), no one (1), no* (11), none (2), none* (2),
nothing (2), nothing* (3), only* (11), or (4), otherwise* (3), refrain (1), so ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3361.htm - 8k

5339. pheidomai -- to spare, forbear
... forbear. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to spare, forbear NASB Word
Usage refrain (1), spare (8), sparing (1). forbear, spare. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5339.htm - 6k

3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... none (4), none* (3), nor (3), nothing (8), nothing* (13), nowhere* (2), number
(1), number* (2), only* (5), rather (2), rather than (1), refrain (1), refused ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3756.htm - 7k

2820. chasak -- to withhold, refrain
... 2819b, 2820. chasak. 2821 . to withhold, refrain. Transliteration: chasak Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-sak') Short Definition: withheld. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2820.htm - 6k

4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... deny, keep back, refrain, restrain, withhold. A primitive root; to debar
(negatively or positively) from benefit or injury -- deny ...
/hebrew/4513.htm - 6k

6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... closed fast (1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held back (2),
kept (1), prevail (1), prevented (1), recover (1), refrain (1), restrained (1 ...
/hebrew/6113.htm - 6k

5702. agan -- to shut oneself in or off
... 5701, 5702. agan. 5703 . to shut oneself in or off. Transliteration: agan Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-gan') Short Definition: refrain. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5702.htm - 5k

3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold
... finish, forbid, keep back, refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed,.
A primitive root; to restrict, by act (hold back or in ...
/hebrew/3607.htm - 6k

2413. chatam -- to hold in, restrain
... root Definition to hold in, restrain NASB Word Usage restrain (1). refrain. A primitive
root; to stop -- refrain. 2412, 2413. chatam. 2414 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2413.htm - 5k

2308. chadal -- to cease
... fail (1), failed (1), gave (1), hold back (1), leave (5), let my alone (1), neglects
(1), never mind (2), no (1), past (1), quit (1), refrain (6), refrained (1 ...
/hebrew/2308.htm - 6k

3808. lo -- not
... 19), nor (401), nor* (5), nothing (35), nothing* (27), nowhere* (1), or (10), or
else (1), otherwise (4), pathless* (2), rather than (3), refrain (1), refuse ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

7368. rachaq -- to be or become far or distant
... of place or relation) -- (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove,
be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, X refrain, very, (be) a ...
/hebrew/7368.htm - 6k

5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... opposed (2), persists (1), place (1), placed (2), present (3), presented (1), presented*
(1), propped (2), quake (1), raise (2), raised (1), refrain (1), rely ...
/hebrew/5975.htm - 7k

Refrain
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH Refrain. 6,6,8,6 Refrain. The time is drawing near,.
It may not tarry long,. When they who face the conflict here,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the early church/refrain.htm

Wherefore, O Men, Refrain from Obstructing what You Hope for by ...
... Book II. 78 Wherefore, O men, refrain from obstructing what you hope for by
vain questions? Wherefore, O men, refrain from obstructing ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/78 wherefore o men refrain.htm

Fading, Still Fading PM , with Refrain. Evening Prayer.
... 60 Fading, Still Fading PM, with Refrain. Evening Prayer. Evening Prayer.
Fading, still fading, the last beam is shining; Father ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/60 fading still fading p m.htm

Does Pelagius Designedly Refrain from Openly Saying that all Good ...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 17 [XVI.]"Does Pelagius
Designedly Refrain from Openly Saying that All Good Action is from God ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 xvi does pelagius designedly.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Priest to Refrain Entirely from ...
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful for a
priest to refrain entirely from consecrating the Eucharist? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 18.htm

It Would Therefore be to their Profit, for the Young to Refrain ...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter XXIV. It would therefore be to their profit,
for the young to refrain from laying down? It would ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiv it would therefore.htm

The Lord of Life to Earth came Down
... tr., John Brownlie. CAROL [1]. kai Poimenes eidon to thauma, Angelon anumnounton,
kai legonton?� Doxa. Refrain. I. ... While angels praise Him in the sky. Refrain. III ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/the lord of life to.htm

The Oratorio of victory.
... ever.". In chapter four[15] comes a quartette. The four living creatures round
about the throne take up the refrain of John's solo. And ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the oratorio of victory.htm

Harvest Hymn
... Grace fills our lives with goodness He bestows. Refrain. Bountiful Giver, Thine
be the praise,. ... Such are the treasures that His bounty gives. Refrain. III. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the morningland/harvest hymn.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Abstain Altogether from Communion?
... is praised for saying (Mat.8:8): "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter
under my roof"; and he who deems that he ought to refrain entirely from ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 31.htm

Refrain (33 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Refrain (33 Occurrences). Acts 4:20 for as for us we cannot
refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard. (DBY). ...
/r/refrain.htm - 16k

Lip (20 Occurrences)
... 13). To "open the lips" is to begin to speak (Job 11:5); to "refrain the
lips" is to keep silence (Psalm 40:9; 1 Peter 3:10). The ...
/l/lip.htm - 18k

Refrained (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Refrain. Multi-Version Concordance
Refrained (14 Occurrences). John 19:33 Then they came ...
/r/refrained.htm - 10k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain
from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Spare (80 Occurrences)
... parsimonious. 7. (vi) To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or
forbearance. 8. (vi) To desist; to stop; to refrain. 9. (vt ...
/s/spare.htm - 32k

Restrain (31 Occurrences)
... restrain them. (YLT). Proverbs 1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them;
Refrain thy foot from their path: (See JPS). Proverbs 27 ...
/r/restrain.htm - 15k

Refractory (7 Occurrences)

/r/refractory.htm - 9k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... The little poem on the sluggard (Proverbs 24:30-34), with its refrain (Proverbs
24:33, 14), is noteworthy as being apparently one stanza of a poem which is ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament, it is the translation of hesuchazo, "to refrain from gossip
or meddlesomehess": "that ye study to be quiet": (1 Thessalonians 4:11), and ...
/q/quiet.htm - 37k

Valuable (17 Occurrences)
... their gods, with their molten images, and with their goodly vessels of silver and
of gold, shall he carry captive into Egypt; and he shall refrain some years ...
/v/valuable.htm - 11k

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