Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:The term "answerable" in a biblical context often refers to the concept of being accountable or responsible for one's actions, words, or decisions. It implies a moral or spiritual obligation to respond to God, authority, or others regarding one's conduct. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and nations are frequently called to account for their actions before God.
Biblical References:1.
Accountability to God: The Bible emphasizes that all individuals are ultimately answerable to God for their actions.
Romans 14:12 states, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This verse underscores the personal responsibility each person has before God, highlighting the inevitability of divine judgment and the need for righteous living.
2.
Stewardship and Responsibility: The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the principle of being answerable for what has been entrusted to us. The servants are held accountable for how they manage their master's resources.
Matthew 25:19 notes, "After a long time, the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them." This parable teaches that God expects faithful stewardship and will hold individuals answerable for their use of the gifts and opportunities He provides.
3.
Moral and Ethical Conduct: The Bible calls believers to live lives that are answerable to the moral and ethical standards set forth in Scripture.
James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." This passage highlights the heightened accountability of those in positions of influence and leadership, emphasizing the importance of integrity and truthfulness.
4.
Interpersonal Relationships: Being answerable also extends to how individuals relate to one another.
Ephesians 5:21 instructs, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission reflects a sense of accountability to each other within the body of Christ, fostering a community where members are responsible for their actions and attitudes toward one another.
5.
Judgment and Consequences: The Bible consistently teaches that there are consequences for actions, and individuals are answerable for their choices.
Galatians 6:7 states, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This principle of sowing and reaping underscores the reality of divine justice and the certainty that individuals will face the outcomes of their actions.
Theological Implications:The concept of being answerable is integral to understanding the nature of sin, redemption, and sanctification. It reflects the biblical teaching that humans are created in the image of God, endowed with free will, and thus bear responsibility for their choices. The call to be answerable is not only a call to accountability but also an invitation to live in accordance with God's will, relying on His grace and guidance.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to live with an awareness of their answerability to God and others. This involves regular self-examination, confession, and repentance, as well as a commitment to ethical living and faithful service. By recognizing their accountability, Christians are motivated to pursue holiness and to reflect Christ's character in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good; accountable; amenable; responsible; as, an agent is answerable to his principal; to be answerable for a debt, or for damages.
2. (a.) Capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.
3. (a.) Correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable.
4. (a.) Proportionate; commensurate; suitable; as, an achievement answerable to the preparation for it.
5. (a.) Equal; equivalent; adequate.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ANSWERABLEan'-ser-a-bl: This word is found in the Old Testament only. Moses and Ezekiel alone use it (Exodus 38:18Ezekiel 40:18;Ezekiel 45:7;Ezekiel 48:13, 18). It is used in the Old English sense of "corresponding to," "in harmony with." Bunyan uses it in the same sense (Holy War, Clar. Press ed., 92).
Greek
5267. hupodikos -- brought to trial,answerable to... brought to trial,
answerable to. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hupodikos
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od'-ee-kos) Short Definition:
answerable to
...Library
Sin Overcoming and Overcome
... When it does speak it says, 'You have done wrong, and you areanswerable.'Answerable
to whom? To it?... You can only beanswerable to a person, and that is God....
I am Thine, oh save me.
... cannot be any one else. I amanswerable for all that I ever did, or shall
do; and no one can beanswerable for me. All the bad deeds...
Salvation Published from the Mountains
... But there are, undoubtedly, particular passages, where a small change in the expression,
might render the sense clearer, and be equallyanswerable to the...
The Connexion of Christianity with the Jewish History.
... But to make Christianityanswerable, with its life, for the circumstantial truth
of each separate passage of the Old Testament, the genuineness of every book...
Still Another Triplet
... We cannot determine whether our relations with men will be peaceful or no; we are
onlyanswerable for our part, and for that we areanswerable....
Of the State Wherein Man was Created, and How the Image of God is...
... Andanswerable to these two, are branches of the text: "God made man upright;" that
he was once; "and they have sought out many inventions;" not being...
Immanuel
... character and perfections. The means areanswerable to the grandeur of the
design, and are summarily expressed in my text. I shall...
"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... But here is a kingdom that is great, and great in goodness, every wayanswerable
to our necessities. This is the kingdom we should seek above all things....
These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the...
... bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth"), and
conquered all of these by His death, a death was soughtanswerable to the...
Titus i. 4-Jan
... If therefore any one be irreligious, he will become more so when raised to office;
and he who appoints such a ruler will beanswerable for all the offenses...
Thesaurus
Answerable (7 Occurrences)... to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good;
accountable; amenable; responsible; as, an agent is
answerable to his
...Liable (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible;
answerable; as, the surety is liable for the debt of his principal....
Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not commit
murder', and whoever commits murder will beanswerable to the magistrate....
Alongside (10 Occurrences)
... of the holy offering and in front of the possession of the city, on the west side
westward, and on the east side eastward; and in lengthanswerable to one of...
Remainder (33 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 48:18 The remainder in the length,answerable to the holy offering, shall
be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward; and it shall be...
Westward (35 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 48:18 The remainder in the length,answerable to the holy offering,
shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward; and it shall be...
25000 (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 48:13Answerable to the border of the priests, the Levites shall have
twenty-five thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall...
10000 (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 48:18 The remainder in the length,answerable to the holy offering, shall
be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward; and it shall be...
Bordering (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 48:18 The remainder in the length,answerable to the holy offering, shall
be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward; and it shall be...
Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that every one who becomes angry with his brother
shall beanswerable to the magistrate; that whoever says to his brother 'Raca...
Resources
Is it biblical for a church to seek 501(c)(3) incorporation? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do so many people have to experience terrible suffering before death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Congregational Church / Congregationalism? | GotQuestions.orgAnswerable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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