The term "looses" in the Bible often refers to the act of releasing, unbinding, or setting free. This concept is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing liberation from physical, spiritual, or moral constraints.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of loosing is frequently associated with the release from bondage or captivity. For example, in Isaiah 58:6 , God speaks through the prophet Isaiah about the true nature of fasting: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and break every yoke?" Here, loosing is connected with justice and mercy, emphasizing God's desire for His people to be free from oppression and sin.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of loosing takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ's ministry is marked by acts of loosing individuals from various forms of bondage. In Luke 13:12 , Jesus heals a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years, saying, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." The act of loosing here is both physical and spiritual, demonstrating Christ's authority over sickness and the spiritual forces of evil.

The authority to loose is also given to the apostles. In Matthew 16:19 , Jesus tells Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This passage underscores the responsibility and authority given to the Church to declare forgiveness and to set people free from the bondage of sin through the Gospel.

Spiritual Warfare

Loosing is a critical concept in spiritual warfare, where believers are called to pray for the release of individuals from demonic oppression and strongholds. In Ephesians 6:12 , Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The act of loosing in prayer is seen as a means of breaking these spiritual chains and bringing freedom through the power of Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The principle of loosing extends to moral and ethical behavior, where believers are encouraged to live in a way that reflects the freedom they have received in Christ. Galatians 5:1 states, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." This verse calls Christians to live in the liberty provided by Christ, avoiding the entanglements of sin and legalism.

Conclusion

The concept of loosing in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing physical healing, spiritual liberation, and ethical living. It highlights God's desire for His people to experience freedom in every aspect of their lives, achieved through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Acts xvi. 25, 26
... What equal to this? He is put in bonds, and looses, being bound: looses a
twofold bond: him that bound him, he looses by being bound. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxvi acts xvi 25.htm

"Take My Yoke Upon You," &C.
... Sin itself and the lusts of the flesh, are a grievous yoke, which the putting on
of this yoke looses them from: and when the heart is thus enlarged with love ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii take my yoke.htm

Of the Jurisdiction of the Church, and the Abuses of It, as ...
... The first view expounded. 2. Second view expounded. How the Church binds and looses
in the way of discipline. Abuse of the keys in the Papacy. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of the jurisdiction.htm

Ode vi.
... hay: And, by His homely swaddling-bands girt in,. Looses the many fetters
of our sin. Now the New Child of Adam's race draws nigh,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/ode vi 2.htm

Happy are Ye Whose Bodies have Been Made to Shine!
... for lo! it looses the bonds;"for in it there dwells and is hidden"the
Daysman of God,"Who in the furnace was the fourth. 7 ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii happy are ye.htm

Luke and John Suggest that one May Loose the Shoe-Latchets of the ...
... height of the exaltation of the Logos, may find the loosing of those shoes which
when one is seeking them seem to be bound, so that He also looses those shoes ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/19 luke and john suggest.htm

St. Ambrose Teaches Out of the Prophet Isaiah what they must do ...
... not as though innocent, that thou aggravate not the sin, but thou wilt be justified,
confess thy sin." For a shamefaced confession of sins looses the bands of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi st ambrose teaches.htm

"As My Father Hath Sent Me," Says Our Lord...
... 1309] Therefore, if they represented the Church, and this was said to them as to
the Church herself, it follows that the peace of the Church looses sins, and ...
/.../chapter 1823 as my father.htm

Whether Slight Contrition Suffices to Blot Out Great Sins?
... This is seen in Baptism which looses great and small: and the same applies
to contrition provided it fulfill the necessary conditions. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether slight contrition suffices to.htm

Whether Baptism Has an Equal Effect in All?
... more sins are loosed than in others is not due to the greater efficacy of Baptism,
but to the condition of the recipient: for in each one it looses whatever it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism has an equal.htm

Looses (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Looses (2 Occurrences). Job 12:18 He looseth the bond
of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle. (See RSV). ...
/l/looses.htm - 6k

Looseth (5 Occurrences)

/l/looseth.htm - 7k

Loosens (2 Occurrences)

/l/loosens.htm - 6k

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