Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of behavior in the Bible is deeply rooted in the moral and ethical teachings found throughout Scripture. The term "behave" and its derivatives are often used to describe the conduct expected of believers, reflecting their relationship with God and others. Biblical behavior encompasses actions, attitudes, and speech that align with God's commandments and the example set by Jesus Christ.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, behavior is closely linked to obedience to God's laws. The Israelites were given the Law through Moses, which outlined how they were to conduct themselves in various aspects of life.
Deuteronomy 5:33 instructs, "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Here, proper behavior is associated with walking in God's ways, which leads to blessings and prosperity.
The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, provides practical guidance on behavior.
Proverbs 20:11 states, "Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright." This highlights the importance of behavior as a reflection of one's character and integrity.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, behavior is emphasized as a reflection of one's faith in Christ. Believers are called to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
Philippians 1:27 exhorts, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." This call to godly behavior is rooted in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live according to God's will.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses behavior in his epistles, urging believers to exhibit virtues such as love, humility, and patience. In
Ephesians 4:1-2 , Paul writes, "I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." Here, behavior is linked to the Christian calling and the unity of the body of Christ.
Behavior in the ChurchBehavior within the Christian community is of paramount importance. The early church faced challenges related to conduct, and the apostles provided guidance to ensure that believers lived in harmony. In
1 Timothy 3:15 , Paul writes, "If I am delayed, you will know how to conduct yourselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." Proper behavior in the church is essential for maintaining its witness and upholding the truth of the Gospel.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe Bible presents a clear moral and ethical framework for behavior. The Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational guide for ethical conduct, emphasizing duties to God and fellow humans. Jesus further expounded on these principles, teaching that behavior should stem from a heart transformed by love for God and neighbor (
Matthew 22:37-40).
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provides a comprehensive overview of the attitudes and behaviors expected of Christ's followers. Jesus calls for a higher standard of righteousness, one that surpasses mere external compliance and reflects inner purity and sincerity.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of behavior is integral to the life of a believer. It encompasses obedience to God's commands, the pursuit of holiness, and the demonstration of Christ-like love and humility. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to live in a manner that honors God and serves as a testimony to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To manage or govern in point of behavior; to discipline; to handle; to restrain.
2. (v. t.) To carry; to conduct; to comport; to manage; to bear; -- used reflexively.
3. (v. i.) To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to behave well or ill.
Greek
407. andrizo -- tobehave like a man, to play the man... to
behave like a man, to play the man. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: andrizo
Phonetic Spelling: (an-drid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I act like a man
...812. atakteo -- to be out of order, be remiss
... to be out of order, be remiss. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: atakteo Phonetic
Spelling: (at-ak-teh'-o) Short Definition: Ibehave disorderly Definition...
807. aschemoneo -- to act unbecomingly
... Phonetic Spelling: (as-kay-mon-eh'-o) Short Definition: I act improperly, unseemly
Definition: I act improperly, am unseemly,behave unbecomingly (or even...
390. anastrepho -- to overturn, turn back
... myself, live Definition: I overturn; I turn back, return; I turn hither and thither;
pass: I turn myself about; I sojourn, dwell; I conduct myself,behave, live...
4176. politeuomai -- to live as a citizen
... let conversation be, live. Middle voice of a derivative of polites; tobehave as
a citizen (figuratively) -- let conversation be, live. see GREEK polites....
4043. peripateo -- to walk
... Word Origin from peri and pateo Definition to walk NASB Word Usagebehave (2), conduct
ourselves (1), conduct yourselves (1), leading...life (1), leads...life...
1693. emmainomai -- to rage against
... 1693 (from 1722 , "in" and 3105 , "behave as a maniac") -- properly, locked
in the frenzy of rage (fury), and used only in Ac 26:11....
5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be
... to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition,
or as an auxiliary to a principal (verb) -- after,behave, live....
Strong's Hebrew
1980. halak -- to go, come, walk... 1), went* (1). all along, apace,
behave self, come, on continually, be
conversant, depart, be eased,. Akin to yalak; a primitive
...7737. shavah -- to agree with, be like, resemble
... avail,behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, be, make equal, lay, A
primitive root; properly, to level, ie Equalize; figuratively...
7292. rahab -- to act stormily, boisterously or arrogantly
... overcome,behave self proudly, make sure, strengthen. A primitive root; to
urge severely, ie (figuratively) importune, embolden, capture...
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew,
wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent,behave self valiantly...
7489. ra'a' -- to be evil, bad
... down, in pieces), + displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self
friendly (by mistake for ra'ah), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill...
5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... X could, deliver, discern, dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know,
take knowledge (notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect,behave (make) self...
6213a. asah -- do, make
... 7), administer (1), administered (1), administered* (1), apply (1), appointed (3),
artificial (1), attain (1), bear (4), bearing (2),behave (1), bestowed (1...
7919. sakal -- to be prudent
... instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach,
(have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be,behave self, consider, make...
Library
How a Soul is toBehave Herself to Obtain Light in Doubtful Cases...
... INTERNAL CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE. CHAPTER VII. How a soul is tobehave herself
to obtain light in doubtful cases of moment.? Sec. Sec. 1, 2...
How Internal Livers Ought toBehave Themselves in Time of Sickness...
... CHAPTER V. How internal livers ought tobehave themselves in time of sickness? Sec....
1, 2. How internal livers ought tobehave themselves in time of sickness....
January 10. "Charity Doth notBehave Itself Unseemly" (I. Cor....
... JANUARY 10. "Charity doth notbehave itself unseemly" (I. Cor. xiii. 5).
"Charity doth notbehave itself unseemly" (I. Cor. xiii.5)....
How Christians ShouldBehave Themselves among Heathens.
... The Second Epistle of the Same Clement. Chapter VI."How Christians Should
Behave Themselves Among Heathens. If, moreover, it chance...
Treats of the Same Subject and of the Way God is Sometimes Pleased...
... TO SPEAK TO THE SOUL. HOW WE SHOULDBEHAVE IN SUCH A CASE, IN WHICH WE
MUST NOT FOLLOW OUR OWN OPINION. GIVES SIGNS TO SHOW HOW...
Declaring the Nature of Internal Recollection, and Instructing the...
... Declaring the Nature of internal Recollection, and instructing the Soul how it ought
tobehave it self therein, and in the Spiritual Welfare, whereby the Devil...
If any of the Ascetics, Without Bodily Necessity, ShallBehave...
... Canon XIX. If any of the ascetics, without bodily necessity, shallbehave
with insolence and disregard the? If any of the ascetics...
The Analysis
... "Doth notbehave itself unseemly.". Unselfishness . .... "Love doth notbehave itself
unseemly." Politeness has been defined as love in trifles....
A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection...
... He writeth generally, to them all; and in the former chapters he teacheth them
severally how they shouldbehave themselves, in every estate, one to another...
Luke xxiii. 42, 43
... of our blessed Lord, and of hearing the Evidence of his Pretensions, did sincerely
lay hold on it; and profess himself his Disciple: andbehave himself as such...
Thesaurus
Behave (18 Occurrences)... 3. (vi) To act; to conduct; to bear or carry one's self; as, to
behave well
or ill. Multi-Version Concordance
Behave (18 Occurrences).
...Conduct (93 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) Tobehave; -- with the reflexive; as, he conducted himself well. 10.... 13.
(vi) To conduct one's self; tobehave. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Play (61 Occurrences)
... stakes. 4. (n.) To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a
flute. 5. (n.) To act; tobehave; to practice deception. 6...
Behaved (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofBehave. Multi-Version Concordance
Behaved (21 Occurrences). Luke 2:48 When they saw Him, they...
Wisely (60 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:5Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, buying up your
opportunities.... (YLT). Psalms 101:2 I willbehave myself wisely in a perfect way....
Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" (See NIV). Luke 6:31 Andbehave to your
fellow men just as you would have thembehave to you. (WEY)....
Ought (130 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn'tbehave
ourselves rebelliously among you, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Quit (12 Occurrences)
... Versions of the Bible, however, is a gloss for in 1 Samuel 4:9 it is used for hayah,
"to be," while in 1 Corinthians 16:13 andrizomai, means "tobehave like a...
Valiantly (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let usbehave ourselves valiantly for
our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is...
Keeps (154 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Corinthians 13:5 doesn'tbehave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its
own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; (See NIV)....
Resources
Why are people irrational? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Christian behavior? | GotQuestions.orgI have been burned and hurt by the church in the past. How can I overcome this and renew a passion for church and a desire to attend church? | GotQuestions.orgBehave: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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