The concept of "restrains" in the Bible often refers to the act of holding back, controlling, or limiting actions, emotions, or events. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating both divine and human restraint in various contexts.

Divine Restraint

God's restraint is a significant theme in the Bible, demonstrating His patience and mercy. In Genesis 8:1, after the flood, God "remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside." Here, God's restraint is evident in His decision to cease the floodwaters, showing His control over creation and His mercy towards humanity.

In the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 speaks of a restraining force in the context of the end times: "And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way." This passage suggests a divine restraint on evil, indicating God's sovereign control over the unfolding of prophetic events.

Human Restraint

Human restraint is also a recurring theme, often associated with self-control and wisdom. Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." This proverb highlights the virtue of restraint in managing one's emotions, contrasting the impulsive nature of a fool with the deliberate control exercised by the wise.

In the realm of speech, James 1:26 advises, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." Here, restraint is linked to the discipline of speech, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's words as a reflection of genuine faith.

Restraint in Leadership

The Bible also addresses the importance of restraint in leadership. In 1 Samuel 24, David exemplifies restraint when he spares King Saul's life, despite having the opportunity to kill him. David's decision to refrain from harming Saul, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD" (1 Samuel 24:6), demonstrates his respect for God's anointed and his trust in God's timing.

Restraint and Justice

In the context of justice, restraint is seen as a necessary component of righteous judgment. Micah 6:8 calls believers to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." This verse implies a balance between justice and mercy, where restraint plays a role in ensuring that justice is tempered with compassion.

Conclusion

The theme of restraint in the Bible underscores the importance of control, patience, and wisdom in both divine and human actions. Whether it is God restraining His judgment or individuals exercising self-control, restraint is portrayed as a virtue that aligns with God's character and purposes.2849. kolazo -- to chastise
... properly, to dwarf, mutilate (curtail); used of punishing slaves to them; hence,
to (cause ) to ("dock/check," ), ie in a way that restrains (impedes, restricts ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2849.htm - 6k

2722. katecho -- to hold fast, hold back
... 1), bound (1), heading (1), hold...fast (1), hold fast (5), hold firmly (1), keep
(2), occupy (1), possess (1), possessing (1), restrains (2), suppress (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2722.htm - 7k

4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... Usage held back (2), hinder (1), hold back (1), holds (1), keep (2), keep back
(1), kept (1), refuse (2), restrain (1), restrained (2), restrains (1), withheld ...
/hebrew/4513.htm - 6k

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

6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... 2), authority (1), conceal (1), concealed (2), hid (1), hidden (1), hide (2), keep
them secretly (1), kept (1), lurk (1), restrain her restrains (1), saved (1 ...
/hebrew/6845.htm - 6k

2820. chasak -- to withhold, refrain
... kept their in check (1), kept back (1), lessen (1), lessened (1), refrain (1), requited
(1), reserved (2), restrain (1), restrained (1), restrains (2), spare (2 ...
/hebrew/2820.htm - 6k

5826. azar -- to help, succor
... Usage ally (1), furthered (1), granted (1), help (38), helped (19), helper (6),
helpers (2), helping (1), helps (8), protect (1), restrains (1), supporting (1 ...
/hebrew/5826.htm - 6k

That the Same God, by the Same Word, Restrains from Sin by ...
... The Instructor: Book I Chapter X."That the Same God, by the Same Word, Restrains
from Sin by Threatening, and Saves Humanity by Exhorting. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter x that the same god.htm

Canons Appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a Certain Confessor ...
... Book I. Chapter XXIII."Canons appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a certain Confessor,
restrains the Council from forming a Canon enjoining Celibacy to all ...
/.../chapter xxiii canons appointed by the.htm

Love Wooing yet More.
... Possibly a thoughtful delicacy of regard for the woman restrains John's
pen if she were still living as he writes. And then later ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/love wooing yet more.htm

Whether the Gravity of Sins Depends on the Excellence of the ...
... according to Prov.15:5, "In abundant justice there is the greatest strength." Now,
as Our Lord says (Mat.5:20, seqq.) abundant justice restrains anger, which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gravity of sins 2.htm

Whether the Parts of Temperance are Rightly Assigned?
... Wherefore any virtue that is effective of moderation in some matter or other, and
restrains the appetite in its impulse towards something, may be reckoned a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of temperance.htm

The First Book
... 1. By certain men God is said to be careless and neglectful of human actions, on
the ground that he neither protects good men nor restrains the wicked; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Men Often Highly Esteem what God Abhors.
... The right end is not one's own, but the general good. Hence God's rule requires
virtue, while man's rule at best only restrains vice. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxi men often highly esteem.htm

Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... For nothing so restrains the wrong doers, as when the injured bear what
is done with gentleness. And it not only restrains them ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xviii matt v 38.htm

Of Marriage Between Blood-Relations, in Regard to which the ...
... And in this matter, while it restrains concupiscence within due bounds, the man
who neglects and disobeys it is justly branded as abominable. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of marriage between blood-relations.htm

Whether Twelve Degrees of Humility are Fittingly Distinguished in ...
... I answer that, As stated above [3604](A[2]) humility has essentially to do with
the appetite, in so far as a man restrains the impetuosity of his soul, from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether twelve degrees of humility.htm

Restrains (8 Occurrences)
...Restrains (8 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now you know what restrains him,
in order that his true character may be revealed at his appointed time. ...
/r/restrains.htm - 8k

Restraint (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The state of being restrained. 3. (n.) That which restrains, as a law, a
prohibition, or the like; limitation; restriction. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/restraint.htm - 16k

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

/r/restraining.htm - 9k

Lawlessness (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there
is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. ...
/l/lawlessness.htm - 10k

Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) That which terminates, circumscribes, restrains, or confines; the bound,
border, or edge; the utmost extent; as, the limit of a walk, of a town, of a ...
/l/limit.htm - 36k

Fetter (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. 3. (p. pr. & vb. n.) To
put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind. ...
/f/fetter.htm - 8k

Father (11359 Occurrences)
... instructs (Proverbs 1:8, etc.); guides, encourages, warns (Jeremiah 3:4 1 Thessalonians
2:11); trains (Hosea 11:3); rebukes (Genesis 34:30); restrains (Eli, by ...
/f/father.htm - 21k

Restrain (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there
is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. ...
/r/restrain.htm - 15k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... God does not cause or approve of sin, but only limits, restrains, overrules it for
good. The mode of God's providential government is altogether unexplained. ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Bit (46 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains. 3. (vt) To put a bridle upon;
to put the bit in the mouth of. 4. (v.) imp. & pp of Bite. ...
/b/bit.htm - 24k

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