Straining, in a biblical context, often refers to the act of filtering or sifting through something with great care or effort. This concept can be both literal and metaphorical, appearing in various passages throughout Scripture to illustrate spiritual truths and moral lessons.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 23:24 · In this passage, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes, saying, "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." Here, straining is used metaphorically to criticize the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. They meticulously adhered to minor details of the law while neglecting more significant matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The imagery of straining out a gnat, the smallest of unclean animals, while swallowing a camel, the largest, underscores their absurdity in focusing on trivialities while ignoring weightier issues.

2. Luke 5:37-38 · Although not directly using the term "straining," the concept is present in the parable of the wineskins: "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins." The straining here is implicit in the process of fermentation, which requires flexibility and adaptability. This parable illustrates the necessity of spiritual renewal and the dangers of trying to contain the new covenant within the old structures of the law.

Theological Implications:

Straining, as depicted in the Bible, often serves as a caution against legalism and the dangers of focusing on external observances at the expense of internal transformation. The Pharisees' obsession with ritual purity and meticulous law-keeping is contrasted with the heart of the gospel, which emphasizes love, mercy, and justice.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where they might be "straining out gnats" while "swallowing camels." This involves a call to prioritize the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—over mere ritualistic observance. It is a reminder to focus on the spirit of the law rather than the letter, ensuring that one's faith is lived out in genuine love and compassion.

Historical Context:

In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and the traditions of the elders. They often imposed heavy burdens on the people, emphasizing ritual purity and tithing even the smallest herbs. This historical backdrop highlights the radical nature of Jesus' teachings, which called for a return to the heart of God's commandments and a focus on inner righteousness.

Conclusion:

The concept of straining in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual discernment required in the life of a believer. It challenges individuals to sift through their own beliefs and practices, ensuring that they align with the core tenets of the Christian faith. Through this process, believers are called to embody the love and grace of Christ in all aspects of their lives.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Strain.

2. (a. & n.) from Strain.

928. basanizo -- to torture
... Word Origin from basanos Definition to torture NASB Word Usage battered (1),
felt...tormented (1), pain (1), straining (1), torment (4), tormented (4). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/928.htm - 7k

603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy
... This intense expectation fosters to see Jesus -- portrayed as an Olympic
runner straining forward to the end-goal with "" (Ro 8:19)! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/603.htm - 8k

4764. strenos -- insolent luxury
... delicacy, luxury. Akin to stereos; a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength",
ie (figuratively) luxury (voluptuousness) -- delicacy. see GREEK stereos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4764.htm - 6k

417. anemos -- wind
... 45 Immediately and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself
was sending the crowd away. . . 48 Seeing them straining at the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/417.htm - 7k

And yet it is Perhaps Straining Too Far for those who do Believe ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XVIII. And yet it is perhaps straining
too far for those who do believe that God? And yet it is ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xviii and yet it.htm

Excerpts of Theodotus;
... It is accordingly a sign of the sanctifying of our invisible part, and of the straining
off from the new and spiritual creation of the unclean spirits that ...
/.../theodotus/excerpts of theodotus/excerpts of theodotus.htm

Holiness Demanded
... world through lust. No straining, no hacking at the text can alter it. There
it stands, whether men like it or not. There are some ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/holiness demanded.htm

The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet
... I might not be straining words if I were to say to many a sister in Christ here,
"Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the key-note of a choice.htm

The Resurrection
... No, while the affair was still ringing in their ears and their eyes were still
straining and their minds in turmoil, and while those who had put Him to death ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 5 the resurrection.htm

The Second Part.
... curiositie in lighter matters joyned with omission and neglect of greater, wise
in circumstance, and carelesse in substance, tithing mint, straining at gnats ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... A certain man who owned a vessel went down to the sea coast, and there he noticed
many hungry people straining their eyes toward the sea, watching for the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm

Composition and Style
... If some authors weaken the subjects of which they treat, by straining them into
certain soft and lascivious measures, we must not on that account judge that ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/composition and style.htm

Death and Life in Christ
... our newness of life. What a rebuke this should be to those in modern times
who are ever straining after novelties. There may be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

The Ministry in Galilee --The New Lesson
... The question, however, implies official suspicion that Jesus was seeking to evade
payment, and exhibits further the straining of the relations between him and ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iv the ministry in galileethe.htm

Straining (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Straining (4 Occurrences). Matthew 23:24 You blind guides,
straining out the gnat while you gulp down the camel! (WEY YLT RSV). ...
/s/straining.htm - 7k

Strain (5 Occurrences)
... 15. (vi) To percolate; to be filtered; as, water straining through a sandy soil.
16. (n.) The act of straining, or the state of being strained. 17. ...
/s/strain.htm - 11k

Strait (14 Occurrences)

/s/strait.htm - 13k

Labor (181 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Any pang or distress. 6. (n.) The pitching or tossing of a vessel
which results in the straining of timbers and rigging. ...
/l/labor.htm - 38k

Gulp (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A disgorging. Multi-Version Concordance Gulp (1 Occurrence). Matthew
23:24 You blind guides, straining out the gnat while you gulp down the camel! (WEY) ...
/g/gulp.htm - 6k

Refining (8 Occurrences)
... in Malachi 3:3 both tsaraph and zaqaq are used (1 Chronicles 28:18; 1 Chronicles
29:4 Job 28:1). The same word in Isaiah 25:6 referred to the straining of wine ...
/r/refining.htm - 12k

Refiner (10 Occurrences)
... in Malachi 3:3 both tsaraph and zaqaq are used (1 Chronicles 28:18; 1 Chronicles
29:4 Job 28:1). The same word in Isaiah 25:6 referred to the straining of wine ...
/r/refiner.htm - 13k

Bend (29 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To strain or move out of a straight line; to crook by straining; to make
crooked; to curve; to make ready for use by drawing into a curve; as, to bend ...
/b/bend.htm - 16k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... Its absorbing interest is in events which were profoundly agitating Paul and the
Corinthians at the time, straining their relations to the point of rupture ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

Straineth (1 Occurrence)

/s/straineth.htm - 6k

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