Topical Encyclopedia
Clemency, often synonymous with mercy and forgiveness, is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human conduct. In the biblical context, clemency is the act of showing compassion or forgiveness towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. This concept is deeply rooted in the nature of God and is exemplified in His dealings with humanity.
Divine ClemencyThe Bible frequently portrays God as a merciful and forgiving deity, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the Old Testament, God's clemency is evident in His interactions with the Israelites. Despite their repeated disobedience and idolatry, God continually offers forgiveness and restoration. In
Exodus 34:6-7 , God reveals His nature to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin."
The Psalms also celebrate God's clemency.
Psalm 103:8-10 states, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities."
Clemency in the Teachings of JesusIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies and teaches clemency. His ministry is marked by acts of mercy and forgiveness, extending grace to sinners and outcasts. One of the most profound examples is found in the parable of the prodigal son (
Luke 15:11-32), where the father shows clemency by welcoming his repentant son back with open arms, symbolizing God's readiness to forgive those who return to Him.
Jesus also instructs His followers to practice clemency. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (
Matthew 5:7). Furthermore, in the Lord's Prayer, believers are taught to seek forgiveness as they forgive others (
Matthew 6:12).
Clemency in Christian ConductThe call to clemency extends to interpersonal relationships among believers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in his letters, urging Christians to forgive one another as God has forgiven them. In
Ephesians 4:32 , Paul writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."
Similarly, in
Colossians 3:12-13 , Paul encourages believers to "put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Clemency and JusticeWhile clemency involves forgiveness, it does not negate justice. The Bible upholds the importance of justice, yet it presents clemency as a higher virtue that tempers justice with mercy.
James 2:13 highlights this balance: "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
In summary, clemency is a divine attribute that God extends to humanity and a virtue that believers are called to emulate. It reflects the heart of the Gospel, where God's justice and mercy meet in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Disposition to forgive an offender; mercy; mildness of temper; gentleness; tenderness.
2. (n.) Mildness or softness of the elements; as, the clemency of the season.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLEMENCYklem'-en-si (epietkeia, "fairness," "sweet reasonableness,"Acts 24:4): The Greek word is rendered elsewhere "gentleness,"2 Corinthians 10:1Titus 3:2, "meekhess";James 3:171 Peter 2:18.
Greek
1932. epieikeia -- fairness, gentleness...clemency, gentleness. From epieikes; suitableness, ie (by implication) equity, mildness
--
clemency, gentleness. see GREEK epieikes. (epieikeia) -- 1 Occurrence
...Strong's Hebrew
6038. anavah -- humility... gentleness, humility, meekness. From anav; condescension, human and subjective
(modesty), or divine and objective (
clemency) -- gentleness, humility, meekness.
...Library
Whether Cruelty is Opposed toClemency?
... OF CRUELTY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether cruelty is opposed toclemency? Objection
1: It would seem that cruelty is not opposed toclemency....
WhetherClemency and Meekness are Absolutely the Same?
... OFCLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whetherclemency and meekness
are absolutely the same? Objection 1: It would seem that...
Whether BothClemency and Meekness are virtues?
... OFCLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether bothclemency and meekness are
virtues?... Therefore neitherclemency nor meekness is a virtue....
WhetherClemency and Meekness are the Greatest virtues?
... OFCLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whetherclemency and meekness
are the greatest virtues? Objection 1: It would seem that...
OfClemency and Meekness (Four Articles)
... OFCLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES). We must next considerclemency
and meekness, and the contrary vices. Concerning the virtues...
Of God'sClemency in Moderating the Ruin of the City.
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 34."Of God'sClemency in Moderating the
Ruin of the City. And that you are yet alive is due to...
That He was Derided Because of his ExcessiveClemency.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXI."That he was derided because of his ExcessiveClemency.
Meantime, since there was no fear of capital punishment...
That the Cruelties which Occurred in the Sack of Rome were in...
... I. Chapter 7."That the Cruelties Which Occurred in the Sack of Rome Were in Accordance
with the Custom of War, Whereas the Acts ofClemency Resulted from the...
Whether the Aforesaid virtues are Parts of Temperance?
... OFCLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the aforesaid virtues
are parts of temperance? Objection 1: It would seem that...
Letter Lxii. St. Ambrose Excuses Himself for Having Omitted an...
... 1. Although I lately wrote to yourClemency even a second time, it did not seem
to me that I had responded sufficiently to the duty of intercourse by answering...
Thesaurus
Clemency (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) Mildness or softness of the elements; as, the
clemency of the
season. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CLEMENCY.
...Clefts (10 Occurrences)
Clement (1 Occurrence)
Mary (50 Occurrences)
... Originally a "just man" (the King James Version), the naturalclemency within his
heart prevailed over mere justice, and by the promptings of the Holy Spirit...
Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)
... (KJV BBE). Acts 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I
pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thyclemency a few words. (KJV WBS)....
Ore (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Honor; grace; favor; mercy;clemency;
happy augury. 2. (n.) The native form of a metal, whether...
Gentleness (17 Occurrences)
... is `anwah "humility," "gentleness," or "condescension." In the New Testament epieikeia
("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2...
Wouldst (31 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Acts 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray
thee, that thou wouldst of thyclemency hear us a few words. (WBS)....
Wouldest (66 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Acts 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I
pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thyclemency a few words. (KJV)....
Tedious (1 Occurrence)
... Tedious (1 Occurrence). Acts 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious
unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thyclemency a few words....
Resources
Is corporate confession of sin biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Barabbas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Adonijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgClemency: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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