In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of "retaining" often refers to holding onto or keeping something of value, whether it be wisdom, faith, or the teachings of God. The act of retaining is seen as a virtue, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and steadfastness in one's spiritual journey.

Retaining Wisdom and Knowledge

The Bible frequently underscores the importance of retaining wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 4:13 advises, "Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life." This verse highlights the necessity of clinging to divine instruction as a source of life and guidance. The retention of wisdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline that shapes one's character and decisions.

Retaining Faith

The New Testament places significant emphasis on retaining faith amidst trials and tribulations. In 1 Timothy 1:19 , Paul exhorts believers to "hold on to faith and a good conscience," warning that some have rejected these and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Retaining faith is portrayed as an active endeavor, requiring vigilance and commitment to maintain one's relationship with God.

Retaining the Teachings of Christ

The teachings of Christ are central to the Christian faith, and retaining these teachings is crucial for spiritual growth and maturity. In John 15:7 , Jesus states, "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." This passage emphasizes the importance of internalizing and retaining Christ's words as a means of abiding in Him and experiencing the fullness of His promises.

Retaining Unity and Love

The early church faced numerous challenges in maintaining unity and love among believers. Ephesians 4:3 urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Retaining unity is seen as a collective responsibility, requiring effort and intentionality to preserve the harmony and love that reflect the body of Christ.

Retaining Hope

Hope is a central theme in the Christian faith, and retaining hope is essential for enduring life's challenges. Hebrews 10:23 encourages believers to "hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This verse reassures Christians that their hope is grounded in the faithfulness of God, urging them to steadfastly retain this hope as an anchor for their souls.

Retaining the Word of God

The Word of God is described as living and active, and retaining it is vital for spiritual nourishment and growth. Colossians 3:16 instructs, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." Retaining the Word involves allowing it to permeate one's life, influencing thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

In summary, the biblical concept of retaining encompasses a wide range of spiritual disciplines, all aimed at fostering a deeper relationship with God and a more profound understanding of His will. Whether it is wisdom, faith, teachings, unity, hope, or the Word of God, retaining these elements is essential for a vibrant and enduring Christian life.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Retain.3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ...
... a Median tribe (so Herodotus); a Magian, one of a sacred caste, originally Median,
who seem to have conformed to the Persian religion, while retaining some of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3097.htm - 7k

Whether Prodigality is Opposite to Covetousness?
... by being less careful of them than he ought: and as regards external action,
prodigality implies excess in giving, but deficiency in retaining and acquiring ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prodigality is opposite to.htm

St. Paul Quite in Accordance with St. Peter and Other Apostles of ...
... calls "false brethren unawares brought in." [5275] These persons went no further
than to insist on a continuance of the law, retaining unquestionably a sincere ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iii st paul quite in.htm

The Unity of the Three Takes Place in Thought, viz of Memory, of ...
... as to produce vision, nor does the will itself perform its office of applying the
sense, that is to be informed, to the sensible body, and of retaining it in ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 the unity of the.htm

The Assertion of the Novatians that they Refuse Communion Only to ...
... 7. The Church holds fast its obedience on either side, by both retaining and remitting
sin; heresy is on the one side cruel, and on the other disobedient ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii the assertion of.htm

Whether Our Wills are Ruled by Necessity.
... Therefore we are by no means compelled, either, retaining the prescience of God,
to take away the freedom of the will, or, retaining the freedom of the will ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 whether our wills are.htm

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... from the highest and most perfect forms of being unto the lowest, and still is beyond
them all, remaining superior to those above and retaining those below in ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter iv concerning good light.htm

The Articles of the Reformed Episcopal Church. AD 1875.
... III. This Church, retaining a Liturgy which shall not be imperative or repressive
of freedom in prayer, accepts the Book of Common Prayer, as it was revised ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 86 the articles of.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... But in this case there is no reason for adopting the exceptional, and the strongest
reason for retaining what is confessedly the ordinary and natural ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

But You Say, that You Therefore Believe Your Friend, Whose Heart ...
... point also they have believed the accounts of others telling of it, who yet are
unable to show it, because it is a thing already past; retaining themselves no ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /3 but you say that.htm

The Spirituality of the Risen Body.
... It means that, while retaining their essential material nature, they will be clothed
with properties which naturally belong only to spirits, and not to bodies. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter vi the spirituality of.htm

Retaining (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Retaining (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 3:18 A tree of life
she 'is' to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her 'is' happy. ...
/r/retaining.htm - 6k

Retention
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of keeping something in one's possession
or use. 2. (n.) The power of retaining; retentiveness. ...
/r/retention.htm - 8k

Kir (11 Occurrences)
... Following this, but retaining qir, Cheyne translates "Kir undermineth, and Shoa
is at the mount," but others accept Delitzsch's emendation, Winckler ...
/k/kir.htm - 17k

Keep (4573 Occurrences)
... 26. (n.) That which is kept in charge; a charge. 27. (n.) A cap for retaining
anything, as a journal box, in place. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/k/keep.htm - 9k

Lemuel (3 Occurrences)
... See for a suggested reason for retaining the meaning "oracle" in both places, PROVERBS,
THE BOOK OF, II, 6. John Franklin Genung. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lemuel.htm - 8k

Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... was fulfilled by Ish-Bosheth (2 Samuel 3:14 f), but it was not until after Abner's
death that Ish-Bosheth seems to have given up hopes of retaining his power ...
/i/ish-bosheth.htm - 15k

Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)
... was fulfilled by Ish-Bosheth (2 Samuel 3:14 f), but it was not until after Abner's
death that Ish-Bosheth seems to have given up hopes of retaining his power ...
/i/ishbosheth.htm - 14k

Retains (2 Occurrences)

/r/retains.htm - 6k

Retaineth (3 Occurrences)

/r/retaineth.htm - 7k

Retain (24 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "obtain")); in one case kala' (Ecclesiastes 8:8).
In the New Testament krateo, is used in John 20:23 of the "retaining" of sins ...
/r/retain.htm - 15k

What is the Wailing Wall / Western Wall? | GotQuestions.org

What should a believer do if his or her spouse chooses to live a transgender lifestyle? | GotQuestions.org

What is the biblical perspective on multiculturalism? | GotQuestions.org

Retaining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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