The concept of "retained" in the Bible often relates to the idea of holding onto something, whether it be sin, forgiveness, or teachings. This term appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, each carrying significant theological implications.

Forgiveness and Sin:

One of the most notable uses of "retained" is found in the context of forgiveness and the authority given to the disciples. In John 20:23 , Jesus tells His disciples, "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld." The term "withheld" here is synonymous with "retained," indicating the authority given to the apostles to declare the forgiveness of sins or to retain them. This passage has been the subject of much theological discussion, particularly concerning the role of church authority in the forgiveness of sins.

Teachings and Traditions:

The concept of retaining is also applied to the teachings and traditions passed down through the apostles. In 1 Corinthians 11:2 , Paul commends the Corinthians, saying, "Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you." Here, retaining the teachings and traditions is seen as a vital aspect of faithfulness to the apostolic message. The retention of sound doctrine is emphasized throughout the New Testament as essential for the health and growth of the church.

Spiritual and Moral Implications:

Retaining can also refer to the spiritual and moral implications of holding onto certain behaviors or attitudes. In Romans 1:28 , Paul speaks of those who "did not see fit to retain the knowledge of God," leading to a depraved mind. This highlights the importance of retaining a knowledge of God and His ways as foundational to righteous living. The failure to retain this knowledge results in moral and spiritual decay.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, believers are encouraged to retain what is good and true. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 , Paul instructs, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This exhortation to retain what is good underscores the active role believers must play in discerning and holding onto truth amidst a world of competing ideas and values.

Conclusion:

The concept of "retained" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the authority to forgive or retain sins, to the importance of holding onto apostolic teachings and traditions, to the moral imperative of retaining the knowledge of God. Each of these aspects highlights the significance of retention in the life of faith, underscoring the responsibility of believers to hold fast to what is true and righteous.(imp. & p. p.) of Retain.2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule
... 4), hold fast (4), holding back (1), holding fast (1), holds (1), laid hold (1),
observe (1), observing (1), prevented (1), retain (1), retained (1), seize (8 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2902.htm - 9k5446. sebal -- to bear, carry (a load)
... 5445, 5446. sebal. 5447 . to bear, carry (a load). Transliteration: sebal
Phonetic Spelling: (seb-al') Short Definition: retained. ...
/hebrew/5446.htm - 6k

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... strength (1), recovered (1), rely (1), repair (12), repaired (14), repairers (1),
repairing (1), resist (1), resolutely (2), retain (1), retained (1), seize (4 ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

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

How the Devil Always Retained this Notion of Christ's Divinity ...
... How the devil always retained this notion of Christ's Divinity (because of His secret
working which he experienced) even up to His Cross and Death. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xiii how the devil.htm

A Thing when Lost could not be Found Unless it were Retained in ...
... Book X. Chapter XVIII."A Thing When Lost Could Not Be Found Unless It
Were Retained in the Memory. 27. For the woman who lost ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xviii a thing when lost.htm

All the Characteristics of Our Bodies --Sex, Various Limbs, Etc. ...
... Chapter LX."All the Characteristics of Our Bodies"Sex, Various Limbs, Etc."Will
Be Retained, Whatever Change of Functions These May Have, of Which Point ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lx all the characteristics of.htm

How Alexandra by Gaining the Good-Will of the Pharisees, Retained ...
... CHAPTER 16. How Alexandra By Gaining The Good-Will Of The Pharisees, Retained The
Kingdom Nine Years, And Then, Having Done Many Glorious Actions Died. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 16 how alexandra by.htm

How Our People Served the Moabites Eighteen Years, and were Then ...
... CHAPTER 4. How Our People Served The Moabites Eighteen Years, And Were Then Delivered
From Slavery By One Ehud Who Retained The Dominion Eighty Years. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how our people.htm

How Constantius, Feigning Idolatry, Expelled those who Consented ...
... Book I. Chapter XVI."How Constantius, feigning Idolatry, expelled those who consented
to offer Sacrifice, but retained in his Palace all who were willing to ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xvi how constantius feigning idolatry.htm

When He had Left the Manich??ans, He Retained his Depraved ...
... Book V. Chapter X."When He Had Left the Manich??ans, He Retained His Depraved
Opinions Concerning Sin and the Origin of the Saviour. 18. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter x when he had left.htm

How a Happy Life May be Retained in the Memory.
... Book X. Chapter XXI."How a Happy Life May Be Retained in the Memory. 30.
But is it so as one who has seen Carthage remembers it? No. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxi how a happy life.htm

A Question as to How Spiritual Thoughts Can be Retained Without ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XII. A question as to how
spiritual thoughts can be retained without losing them. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii a question as.htm

Transcriber's Notes
... mark. p6: Retained spelling of "Perea" in text, and "Peraean" in quotation. ...
p188: Hyphen retained in "child-like" in quoted poem. p220 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/transcribers notes.htm

Retained (10 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Retain. Multi-Version Concordance Retained (10 Occurrences). ... Whoever's sins
you retain, they have been retained." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/r/retained.htm - 9k

Retain (24 Occurrences)
... did not approve,' " for the King James Version "did not like to retain" (echo);
and in Philemon 1:13, substitutes "fain have kept" for "retained" (katecho). ...
/r/retain.htm - 15k

Witty (1 Occurrence)
... the English Revised Version has retained all the New Testament examples, but in
the Old Testament has altered about half the occurrences to "know," but has ...
/w/witty.htm - 10k

Wist (13 Occurrences)
... the English Revised Version has retained all the New Testament examples, but in
the Old Testament has altered about half the occurrences to "know," but has ...
/w/wist.htm - 14k

Wot (10 Occurrences)
... the English Revised Version has retained all the New Testament examples, but in
the Old Testament has altered about half the occurrences to "know," but has ...
/w/wot.htm - 13k

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... This discovery confirms the accuracy of the historian. Paul visited the church here
on a subsequent occasion (20:1-3). This city long retained its importance. ...
/t/thessalonica.htm - 25k

Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... In the Old Testament the rendering "everlasting" is usually retained in the Revised
Version (British and American), and sometimes takes the place of other ...
/e/everlasting.htm - 68k

Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)
... Philadelphia quickly became an important and wealthy trade center, for as the coast
cities declined, it grew in power, and retained its importance even until ...
/p/philadelphia.htm - 10k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... to make a sin offering" (Psalm 51:7): is changed without improvement to "purify"
in the American Standard Revised Version, while "purge" is retained in the ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

Colony (1 Occurrence)
... They were distinguished as (a) c. civium Romanorum, wherein the colonists retained
Roman citizenship, also called c. maritumae, because situated on the coast ...
/c/colony.htm - 10k

Summary of the Book of 2 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Is the inner child a biblical concept? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 1 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Retained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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