Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ImportanceBehavior, in a biblical context, refers to the actions and conduct of individuals as they live out their faith and interact with others. It encompasses moral and ethical dimensions, reflecting one's relationship with God and adherence to His commandments. The Bible emphasizes the importance of behavior as a testimony of faith and a reflection of one's inner spiritual state.
Biblical FoundationsThe Bible provides numerous teachings on behavior, underscoring the need for believers to live in a manner that honors God. In the Old Testament, the Law given to Moses outlines specific behaviors expected of God's people, including the Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17). These commandments serve as a foundational guide for moral conduct.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ expands on the principles of righteous behavior, emphasizing love, humility, and service. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (
Matthew 5:16). This highlights the role of behavior in witnessing to others and glorifying God.
Behavior in the EpistlesThe apostolic letters provide further instruction on Christian behavior. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the conduct of believers, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In
Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul writes, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, 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, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" .
Paul also contrasts the behaviors of the "old self" with those of the "new self" in Christ. In
Colossians 3:5-10, he instructs believers to "put to death" earthly behaviors such as immorality, impurity, and greed, and to "put on" virtues like compassion, kindness, and humility .
Behavior and the Fruit of the SpiritThe behavior of a Christian is often associated with the fruit of the Spirit, as described in
Galatians 5:22-23. These attributes—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life. Paul contrasts these with the "acts of the flesh," which include behaviors such as hatred, discord, and jealousy (
Galatians 5:19-21).
Behavior in Community and RelationshipsThe Bible places significant emphasis on behavior within the context of community and relationships. Believers are called to exhibit love and respect toward one another, as seen in
1 Peter 3:8-9: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" .
The behavior of believers is also crucial in their witness to the world. In
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul advises, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be dependent on anyone" .
Behavior and AccountabilityScripture teaches that individuals are accountable for their behavior before God. In
Romans 14:12, Paul states, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God" . This accountability underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with God's standards and commands.
ConclusionThe Bible provides comprehensive guidance on behavior, emphasizing its significance in the life of a believer. Through adherence to biblical principles and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to exhibit behavior that reflects their faith and glorifies God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct; deportment; carriage; -- used also of inanimate objects; as, the behavior of a ship in a storm; the behavior of the magnetic needle.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEHAVIORbe-hav'-yer (Ta`am, "taste," "flavor," hence, "intellectual taste," i.e. judgment, reason, understanding): Of significance as referring to David's feigning madness before Aehish, king of Gath, being "sore afraid." Gesenius renders it "changed his understanding," i.e. his mental behavior and outward manner (1 Samuel 21:13, and title toPsalm 34).
Twice used in the New Testament (the King James Version) of the well-ordered life of the Christian (kosmios, "well-arranged," "modest," i.e. living with decorum:1 Timothy 3:2), defining the blameless life expected of a minister (overseer), "A bishop must be.. of good behavior," the Revised Version (British and American) "orderly" (katastema, "demeanor," "deportment"), including, according to Dean Alford, "gesture and habit" as the outward expression of a reverent spirit (1 Peter 3:1, 2). "Aged women. in behavior as becometh holiness" (Titus 2:3; the Revised Version (British and American) "reverent in demeanor").
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
391. anastrophe --behavior, conduct...behavior, conduct. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anastrophe Phonetic
Spelling: (an-as-trof-ay') Short Definition:
behavior, manner of life
...2688. katastema -- demeanor
... demeanor. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: katastema Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as'-tay-mah) Short Definition:behavior, conduct Definition:behavior...
249. alogos -- without reason
... logic.". 249 ("unreasonable") refers tobehavior (thinking) from God's point
of view, ie what is completely against . 249 () means...
808. aschemosune -- unseemliness
... aschemosune Phonetic Spelling: (as-kay-mos-oo'-nay) Short Definition: unseemliness,
shame, nakedness Definition: unseemlybehavior, unseemliness, indecency...
3913. paraphronia -- madness
... Cognate: 3913 (from 3844 , "contrary-beside" and 5424 , "internal perspectivebehavior")
-- properly, thinking " oneself," madness; insane (irrational)behavior...
5391. philophron -- courteous.
... 5391 (an adjective, derived from 5384 , "lover, friend," and 5426 , "mind-set,
behavior") -- properly, the of love which is quick to show friendly, courteous...
5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... Cognate: 5429 (an adjective, derived from 5424 , "personal perspective regulating
outwardbehavior," and the root of the English term "diaphragm" which...
4422. ptoeo -- to terrify
... with panic. 4422 (from the root meaning, "fly") -- properly, ; (figuratively) ,
like when someone "flies off" into ,behavior. 4422...
2041. ergon -- work
... verb erdo (to do) Definition work NASB Word Usage action (1),behavior (1), deed
(13), deeds (52), doing (1), effectual (1), labor (1), result (1), task (1...
2124. eulabeia -- caution
... Cognate: 2124 (from 2126 , "reverent, godly fear") -- properly, "a taking hold of
what God calls good"; "holy caution," inducingbehavior. See 2126 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
4787b. marhebah -- boisterous, ragingbehavior... 4787a, 4787b. marhebah. 4788 . boisterous, raging
behavior. Transliteration:
marhebah Short Definition: fury. Word Origin from rahab
...7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... showed (1), showing intelligence (1), succeed (1), understand (4), understanding
(2), understands (2), understood (1), wisdom (1), wise (6), wisebehavior (1)....
2940. taam -- taste, judgment
... 1), sanity (1), taste (4). advice,behavior, decree, discretion, judgment,
reason, taste, understanding. From ta'am; properly, a...
Library
ChristianBehavior
... CHRISTIANBEHAVIOR.... In proportion as we are thus transformed in our minds, we shall
be able to fulfil all our duties andbehavior as becometh Christians....
Letter i.Behavior and Manners.
... LETTER I.BEHAVIOR AND MANNERS.... In the main, this power of winning friends
and love depends upon two things:behavior and manners....
The Christian Honoring God by his DyingBehavior.
... THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN THE SOUL. CHAPTER XXX. THE CHRISTIAN
HONORING GOD BY HIS DYINGBEHAVIOR. 1. Reflections on...
Whether any virtue Regards the Outward Movements of the Body?
... i, 18): "Beauty of conduct consists in becomingbehavior towards others, according
to their sex and person," and this regards the first....
How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them...
... his son governed the habitable earth, pray that these privileges of citizens might
be taken away, they did not obtain their request in whichbehavior any one...
1 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker...
Biographical Sketch
... forth John Wesley's high praise: "[She was] indefatigably patient and inexpressibly
tender; quick, cleanly, and skillful; of an engagingbehavior, and of a mild...
The First Epistle to Timothy
... General Regulations for Church Life, 2: 1--- 4: 5. Here we find first of all directions
for public intercession and for thebehavior of men and women in the...
Titus ii. 5-Feb
... The aged women likewise, that they be inbehavior as becometh holiness, not false
accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may...
O virgin, Maintain Thy Purpose which is Destined for a Great...
... so that, if any believe not the word, they may, without the word, be won over by
the conduct of their wives, contemplating their chastebehavior in the fear of...
Thesaurus
Behavior (20 Occurrences)... Manner of behaving, whether good or bad; mode of conducting one's self; conduct;
deportment; carriage; -- used also of inanimate objects; as, the
behavior of a
...Insolent (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Presumptuous; insulting; haughty, contemptuous or brutal inbehavior or
language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as...
Riot (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Wanton or unrestrainedbehavior; uproar; tumult.
2. (n.) Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry....
Reverent (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Expressing reverence, veneration, devotion, or submission; as, reverent
words; reverentbehavior. Multi-Version Concordance Reverent (8 Occurrences)....
Manner (351 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Customary method of acting; habit. 4. (n.) Carriage;behavior; deportment;
also, becomingbehavior; well-bred carriage and address....
Conversation (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) General course of conduct;behavior. 2. (n.)
Familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; close acquaintance....
Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... As soon as Hagar "saw that she had conceived," herbehavior toward her mistress
underwent a radical change; she was "despised in her eyes." But for the...
Beholding (45 Occurrences)
... so rendered in English Versions of the Bible, but epopteusantes, "your good works,
which they behold" (1 Peter 2:12); "beholding your chastebehavior" (1 Peter...
Conduct (93 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The manner of guiding or carrying one's self; personal deportment; mode
of action;behavior. 6. (n.) Plot; action; construction; manner of development....
Observe (216 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:12 having goodbehavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see...
Resources
What is cognitive-behavior therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is behavior therapy, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Christian behavior? | GotQuestions.orgBehavior: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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