Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "permit" often relates to God's allowance of certain actions or events, human authority, and the exercise of free will. The term can be understood as God's sovereign decision to allow certain things to happen, even if they are not His perfect will, in order to fulfill His ultimate purposes.
Divine PermissionThe idea of divine permission is evident throughout Scripture, where God allows certain events to occur, even those that involve human sin or suffering, to bring about His greater plan. For instance, in the account of Job, God permits Satan to test Job's faith, but within certain boundaries.
Job 1:12 states, "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'"
Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks of divine permission in the context of His crucifixion. In
John 19:11 , Jesus tells Pilate, "You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin." Here, Jesus acknowledges that Pilate's authority to crucify Him is permitted by God as part of the divine plan for salvation.
Human Authority and PermissionThe Bible also addresses the concept of human authority and the permission granted to individuals in positions of power.
Romans 13:1 instructs, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This passage suggests that human authorities are permitted by God to maintain order and justice, and believers are called to respect and submit to them, as long as such submission does not conflict with God's commands.
Free Will and Moral ResponsibilityThe concept of permission is closely tied to the biblical understanding of free will. God permits humans to make choices, including those that lead to sin, but holds them accountable for their actions. In
Deuteronomy 30:19 , God presents the Israelites with a choice, saying, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live."
This passage highlights the responsibility that comes with the freedom to choose. While God permits individuals to exercise their free will, He desires that they choose obedience and life.
Permissible Actions and Christian LibertyIn the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of permissible actions within the context of Christian liberty. In
1 Corinthians 10:23 , Paul writes, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying." Here, Paul acknowledges that while believers have freedom in Christ, they should exercise discernment and consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others.
This teaching encourages believers to seek what is beneficial and edifying, rather than merely permissible, aligning their actions with God's will and the edification of the body of Christ.
ConclusionThe concept of "permit" in the Bible encompasses divine permission, human authority, free will, and Christian liberty. It reflects the complex interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, urging believers to align their choices with God's purposes and the well-being of others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with.
2. (v. t.) To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive.
3. (v. t.) To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit.
4. (v. i.) To grant permission; to allow.
5. (n.) Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.
Greek
4330. proseao -- topermit further... to
permit further. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proseao Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-eh-ah'-o) Short Definition: I
permit one to approach Definition: I
...2010. epitrepo -- to turn to, entrust, hence topermit
... to turn to, entrust, hence topermit. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epitrepo
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-trep'-o) Short Definition: I allow,permit...
863. aphiemi -- to send away, leave alone,permit
... to send away, leave alone,permit. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aphiemi
Phonetic Spelling: (af-ee'-ay-mee) Short Definition: I send away, release, remit...
1439. eao -- to let alone, leave
... to let alone, leave. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eao Phonetic Spelling:
(eh-ah'-o) Short Definition: I allow,permit, leave Definition: I allow,permit...
3992. pempo -- to send
... to send. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pempo Phonetic Spelling: (pem'-po)
Short Definition: I send Definition: I send, transmit,permit to go, put forth...
Strong's Hebrew
5203. natash -- to leave, forsake,permit... 5202, 5203. natash. 5204 . to leave, forsake,
permit. Transliteration: natash
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-tash') Short Definition: abandon. Word Origin a prim.
...7558. rishyon -- permission
... permission (1). grant. From an unused root meaning to have leave; apermit --
grant. 7557, 7558. rishyon. 7559 . Strong's Numbers.
5800. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose
... commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave destitute, off, refuse,
A primitive root; to loosen, ie Relinquish,permit, etc....
5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... make (66), makes (3), making (3), marry off (1), offer (2), offered (4), Oh* (13),
open* (1), over (1), paid (7), pay (6), performed (1),permit (2), pierce (1...
7980. shalat -- to domineer, be master of
... A primitive root; to dominate, ie Govern; by implication, topermit -- (bear, have)
rule, have dominion, give (have) power. 7979, 7980. shalat. 7981 ....
Library
But He did notPermit Men to Make Supplication to the Lesser Gods....
... Book II. 3 But He did notpermit men to make supplication to the lesser gods.? But
He did notpermit men to make supplication to the lesser gods....
Permit Me, Lord, to Seek Further. ...
... Book XI Chapter XVIIIPermit me, Lord, to seek further.?Permit me, Lord, to
seek further. O my hope, let not my purpose be confounded....
But Inasmuch as Love Does notPermit Me to be Silent in Regard to...
... Chapter III. But inasmuch as love does notpermit me to be silent in regard
to you? But inasmuch as love does notpermit me to...
But Since Our views Regarding the Resurrection Have, as Far as...
... Chapter XX. But since our views regarding the resurrection have, as far
as time wouldpermit? But since our views regarding the...
The vision of Paul.
... 4. For indeed the sun, the great light, often addressed the Lord saying: Lord God
Almighty, I look out upon the impieties and injustices of men;permit me and...
Examination of the Epistle
... It is not sufficiently full, because there should be an addition, so that the statement
would be this: "He does not will or decree to do orpermit that which...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
...Permit me here to observe that this Testament has been allowed by people who have
perused it, and with no friendly feeling, to be one of the most correct works...
By Death I Shall Attain True Life.
... God.Permit me to be an imitator of the passion of my God. If... God.Permit
me to be an imitator of the passion of Christ, my God. If...
Picture of a Pauline Church
... things. As Luke's narrative describes the outside of Paul's career, so
Paul's own Epistlespermit us to see its deeper aspects....
With the Opening of this ChapterWe Come to Quite a Different Theme...
... seems at least to have his face in the right direction,"God and approach to Him
is his theme,"how far will his natural reasonpermit his walking in it?...
Thesaurus
Permit (36 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written license or
permission given to a person or persons having authority; as, a
permit to land
...Let (16815 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) Topermit; to allow; to suffer; -- either affirmatively, by positive
act, or negatively, by neglecting to restrain or prevent....
Deacon (4 Occurrences)
... The Seven were appointed to "serve tables" (diakonein trapezais), in order topermit
the Twelve to "continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry (diakonia...
Deaconess (1 Occurrence)
... The Seven were appointed to "serve tables" (diakonein trapezais), in order topermit
the Twelve to "continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry (diakonia...
Nile (37 Occurrences)
... has been lifted up, and thus the inundation has extended farther and farther to
the East, and the West, as the level of the valley wouldpermit, depositing the...
Sir (90 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, 'Be following me;' and he said, 'Sir,permit
me, having gone away, first to bury my father;' (YLT)....
Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... 3. History of the Excavations: In 1904 the Palestine Exploration Fund of England
obtained a "permit" for the excavation of Tell Jezer....
Allow (86 Occurrences)
... to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage. 7. (vt) To grant license
to; topermit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent....
Permission (23 Occurrences)
Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 15:17 and Baasha king of Israel goeth up against Judah, and buildeth Ramah,
not topermit any one going out and coming in to Asa king of Judah. (YLT)....
Resources
What is the difference between God's sovereign will and God's revealed will? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are infralapsarianism, sublapsarianism, and supralapsarianism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgPermit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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