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4:6 it is used by way of a rhetorical device, with the significance of transferring by a
figure. See
CHANGE
,
TRANSFORM
.¶
2.
$
(
&
, 4964), “to give the same figure or appearance as, to
conform to” (
$
, “with,”
, cf. No. 1), used in the passive voice, signifies “to
fashion oneself, to be fashioned,” Rom. 12:2,
RV
, “be not fashioned according to,” for
KJV
, “be not conformed to”; 1 Pet. 1:14, “(not) fashioning yourselves.” See
CONFORMED
.¶
Note:
In Rom. 12:2 being outwardly “conformed” to the things of this age is
contrasted with being “transformed” (or transfigured) inwardly by the renewal of the
thoughts through the Holy Spirit’s power. A similar distinction holds good in Phil. 3:21;
the Lord will “fashion anew,” or change outwardly, the body of our humiliation, and
“conform” it in its nature (
$
) to the body of His glory.
D. Adjective.
$
(
$
, 4832), “having like form with” (
$
, “with,”
,
“form”), is used in Rom. 8:29 and Phil. 3:21 (
KJV
, “fashioned,”
RV
, “conformed”). See
CONFORM
.¶
FAST, FASTING
A. Nouns.
1.
(
&
, 3521), “a fasting, fast” (from , a negative prefix, and
, “to
eat”), is used (a) of voluntary abstinence from food, Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23 (some mss.
have it in Matt. 17:21 and Mark 9:29); “fasting” had become a common practice among
Jews, and was continued among Christians; in Acts 27:9, “the Fast” refers to the Day of
Atonement, Lev. 16:29; that time of the year would be one of dangerous sailing; (b) of
involuntary abstinence (perhaps voluntary is included), consequent upon trying
circumstances, 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27.¶
2.
(
, 3523), “not eating” (see No. 1), “fasting,” is used of lack of food,
Matt. 15:32; Mark 8:3.¶
: & *
, Acts 27:21, means “without food” (not through lack of supplies), i.e.,
abstinence from food. See
ABSTINENCE
, and cf. C, below.
B. Verb.
$
(
"
, 3522), “to fast, to abstain from eating” (akin to A, Nos. 1 and 2),
is used of voluntary “fasting,” Matt. 4:2; 6:16, 17, 18; 9:14, 15; Mark 2:18, 19, 20; Luke
5:33, 34, 35; 18:12; Acts 13:2, 3. Some of these passages show that teachers to whom
scholars or disciples were attached gave them special instructions as to “fasting.” Christ
taught the need of purity and simplicity of motive.
The answers of Christ to the questions of the disciples of John and of the Pharisees
reveal His whole purpose and method. No doubt He and His followers observed such a
fast as that on the Day of Atonement, but He imposed no frequent “fasts” in addition.
What He taught was suitable to the change of character and purpose which He designed
for His disciples. His claim to be the Bridegroom, Matt. 9:15, and the reference there to
the absence of “fasting,” virtually involved a claim to be the Messiah (cf. Zech. 8:19).¶
Some mss. have the verb in Acts 10:30.
C. Adjective.