The term "unshrunk" is primarily associated with a metaphor used by Jesus Christ in the New Testament, specifically in the context of His teachings on the incompatibility of the old and new covenants. The metaphor appears in the Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus uses the imagery of unshrunk cloth to illustrate a spiritual truth.

Biblical Reference:

The concept of "unshrunk" is found in the Gospel of Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21, and Luke 5:36. In these passages, Jesus explains the folly of patching an old garment with a piece of unshrunk cloth. The Berean Standard Bible renders the passage in Matthew 9:16 as follows:

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result."

Context and Interpretation:

In the context of Jesus' ministry, the metaphor of the unshrunk cloth is part of a larger teaching on the newness of His message and the kingdom of God. Jesus was addressing the Pharisees and John's disciples, who questioned why His disciples did not fast as they did. In response, Jesus used the parable of the unshrunk cloth and the new wine in old wineskins to illustrate the incompatibility of the old religious practices with the new covenant He was establishing.

The unshrunk cloth represents the new teachings and the transformative power of the Gospel, which cannot be contained or constrained by the old Judaic legalistic structures. Just as an unshrunk patch would tear away from an old garment, causing further damage, so too would the new covenant disrupt and ultimately fulfill the old covenant, rendering it obsolete.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the metaphor of the unshrunk cloth underscores the radical nature of Christ's message. It emphasizes the necessity of embracing the new life and freedom found in Christ, which cannot be merely added to or mixed with the old ways of the Mosaic Law. This teaching highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls for a complete renewal of heart and mind.

The imagery of the unshrunk cloth also serves as a warning against attempting to merge the grace and truth of the Gospel with legalistic or ritualistic practices. It calls believers to recognize the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and to live in the freedom and newness of life that He offers.

Practical Application:

For contemporary believers, the lesson of the unshrunk cloth is a reminder to fully embrace the new life in Christ without clinging to outdated or incompatible practices. It encourages Christians to seek a deeper understanding of the Gospel and to allow its transformative power to permeate every aspect of their lives. This teaching challenges believers to discern and reject any form of legalism that may hinder their spiritual growth and to live in the fullness of the grace provided through Jesus Christ.46. agnaphos -- uncarded, undressed
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and the same as gnapheus Definition uncarded,
undressed NASB Word Usage unshrunk (2). unshrunken, new. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/46.htm - 6k

The Call of Matthew
... To try to mend an old coat with a bit of unshrunk cloth would only make a worse
dissolution of continuity, for as soon as a shower fell on it the patch would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the call of matthew.htm

Unshrunk (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unshrunk (2 Occurrences). Matthew 9:16 No one
puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the ...
/u/unshrunk.htm - 7k

Garment (143 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for
the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/g/garment.htm - 37k

Worse (62 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch
would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/w/worse.htm - 26k

Tear (97 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment;
for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/t/tear.htm - 37k

Patch (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch
would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/p/patch.htm - 9k

Cloth (57 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch
would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/c/cloth.htm - 24k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch
would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

Hole (88 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch
would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. (WEB WEY BBE). ...
/h/hole.htm - 33k

Unshod (1 Occurrence)

/u/unshod.htm - 6k

Unsightliness (1 Occurrence)

/u/unsightliness.htm - 6k

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