Topical Encyclopedia
Definition: The term "accountable" refers to the responsibility or obligation to answer for one's actions, particularly in a moral or spiritual context. In the Bible, accountability is often associated with the idea of being answerable to God for one's deeds, thoughts, and words.
Biblical Context: The concept of accountability is woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and the inevitability of divine judgment. It underscores the belief that individuals are answerable to God for their actions and will ultimately face His judgment.
Old Testament References:1.
Genesis 3:11-13 · The account of Adam and Eve highlights the theme of accountability. After disobeying God, both Adam and Eve are held responsible for their actions. God questions them, illustrating the expectation of accountability for one's choices.
2.
Ezekiel 18:20 · "The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not bear the iniquity of the father, nor will the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him." This verse emphasizes individual responsibility and accountability for one's own actions.
New Testament References:1.
Romans 14:12 · "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This passage clearly states that every person is accountable to God, reinforcing the personal nature of this responsibility.
2.
Matthew 12:36-37 · Jesus teaches, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." This highlights the accountability for even the words we speak, indicating the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.
3.
2 Corinthians 5:10 · "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." This verse underscores the certainty of judgment and the accountability each person has for their actions.
Theological Implications:·
Moral Responsibility: The Bible teaches that humans are moral agents with the capacity to choose between right and wrong. Accountability implies that individuals are responsible for their choices and must bear the consequences of their actions.
·
Judgment: The concept of accountability is closely linked to the doctrine of judgment. Scripture affirms that God is the ultimate judge who will hold every person accountable for their deeds (
Hebrews 9:27).
·
Repentance and Forgiveness: While accountability involves facing the consequences of one's actions, the Bible also offers the hope of forgiveness through repentance. 1
John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
·
Community Accountability: In addition to personal accountability, the Bible encourages believers to hold one another accountable within the community of faith.
Galatians 6:1-2 instructs believers to restore those caught in sin gently and to bear one another's burdens.
Practical Application:·
Self-Examination: Believers are encouraged to regularly examine their lives in light of Scripture, ensuring they live in a manner pleasing to God (
2 Corinthians 13:5).
·
Accountability Relationships: Christians are urged to establish relationships with fellow believers who can provide encouragement, correction, and support in their spiritual walk (
Proverbs 27:17).
·
Stewardship: Accountability extends to the stewardship of resources, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to individuals. Believers are called to use these wisely and for God's glory (
1 Peter 4:10).
In summary, the biblical concept of accountability emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to live righteously before God, recognizing that they will ultimately answer to Him for their actions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is accountable to God for his conduct.
2. (a.) Capable of being accounted for; explicable.
Greek
5267. hupodikos -- brought to trial, answerable to... judgment of. Word Origin from hupo and dike Definition brought to trial,
answerable to NASB Word Usage
accountable (1). guilty. From
...Strong's Hebrew
2942. teem -- taste, judgment, command... Word Origin (Aramaic) from teem Definition taste, judgment, command NASB Word Usage
accountable (1), command (1), commanded* (1), commander* (3), decree (18
...Library
Election and Holiness
... I am notaccountable to you, nor you to me. You areaccountable to God, if you
reject a truth; I amaccountable to Him if I preach an error....
On Predestination
... it at all. 6. Indeed, if man were not free, he could not beaccountable
either for his thoughts, word, or actions. If he were not...
The Good Steward
... even our thoughts are not our own, in this sense; they are not at our own disposal;
but for every deliberate motion of our mind we areaccountable to our great...
To the Saddest of the Sad
... When they have done their best to preach this gospel of their own, then
they areaccountable for having made that gospel. For every...
Appendix 2 the Case of Adam
... The responsibility of each of the rational descendants of Adam, while real, and
sufficient to establish themaccountable to their Creator is, nevertheless...
Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... reward; if not, our curse. God will hold usaccountable for the achievements
we make by the abilities he has given us. If he gives us...
The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... II. Christ reminding Pilate, that he possessed only delegated power; intimating
that he wasaccountable for the use he made of it....
Come-Outers.
... have no creed, believing that every one should be left free to hold such opinions
on religious subjects as he pleases, without being heldaccountable for the...
How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the...
... although we may soon be deprived of it; for one hour is sufficient to those that
are exercised in virtue, wherein we may live with a mindaccountable only to...
Objections Prevented. ...
... Sec. 9. Inconsiderate commands of superiors in such things to be obeyed, though
superiors will be severelyaccountable to God. Sec. 10....
Thesaurus
Accountable (10 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is
accountable to God for his conduct.
...Accountable (10 Occurrences).
...Responsibility (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of being responsible,accountable,
or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation....
Accountability
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of beingaccountable; liability
to be called on to render an account; accountableness. Int....
Accounted (32 Occurrences)
Justice (212 Occurrences)
... His rectoral or distributive justice is his dealing with hisaccountable creatures
according to the requirements of the law in rewarding or punishing them...
Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak
they will be heldaccountable on the day of Judgement. (WEY)....
Responsible (242 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Liable to respond; likely to be called upon to answer;accountable; answerable;
amenable; as, a guardian is responsible to the court for his conduct in...
Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... by sin or dereliction of duty, whether the wrong is active or passive, many, perhaps
the majority of those who are injured, are notaccountable in any way for...
Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... The proconsul exercised judicial as well as military power in his province, and
his authority was absolute, except as he might be heldaccountable at the...
Careless (10 Occurrences)
... Careless (10 Occurrences). Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that for every careless
word that men shall speak they will be heldaccountable on the day of Judgement....
Resources
Is there such a thing as absolute truth / universal truth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say on the importance of accountability? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is compatibilism? | GotQuestions.orgAccountable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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