Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "honest" in the biblical context refers to being truthful, fair, and free from deceit. It is derived from the Latin word "honestus," meaning honorable or respectable. In the original Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible, words such as "yashar" (Hebrew) and "kalos" (Greek) convey the idea of uprightness and integrity.
Biblical References and Themes:Honesty is a fundamental virtue in the Bible, closely associated with righteousness and integrity. It is emphasized as a key characteristic of a godly life and is often contrasted with deceit and falsehood.
1.
Old Testament:·
Proverbs 12:22 : "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights God's disdain for dishonesty and His pleasure in those who are truthful.
·
Leviticus 19:11 : "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another." Here, honesty is commanded as part of the moral law given to the Israelites, underscoring its importance in community and personal relationships.
2.
New Testament:·
Ephesians 4:25 : "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." The Apostle Paul urges believers to embrace honesty as part of their new life in Christ, fostering unity and trust within the body of Christ.
·
Philippians 4:8 : "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." Honesty is included in the broader call to focus on virtuous and praiseworthy qualities.
Theological Significance:Honesty is not merely a social or ethical obligation but a reflection of God's own nature. God is described as a God of truth (
Deuteronomy 32:4), and His followers are called to emulate His character. The call to honesty is rooted in the understanding that God desires truth in the innermost being (
Psalm 51:6).
Practical Implications:For believers, honesty is essential in all areas of life, including personal relationships, business dealings, and spiritual commitments. It builds trust, fosters healthy relationships, and serves as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. The Bible warns against the consequences of dishonesty, such as broken relationships and divine judgment (
Proverbs 19:5).
Character Studies:·
Joseph: Known for his integrity, Joseph maintained honesty even when falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39). His truthful character eventually led to his rise to power in Egypt.
·
Daniel: Daniel's commitment to honesty and integrity is evident in his refusal to defile himself with the king's food and his unwavering faithfulness to God, even in the face of persecution (Daniel 1, 6).
Conclusion:While honesty is a timeless virtue, its significance is magnified in the life of a believer, who is called to reflect God's truthfulness in every aspect of life. The Bible consistently upholds honesty as a mark of true discipleship and a testament to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
Topical Bible Verses
1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Topicalbible.orgEphesians 4:25
Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
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Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
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1 Timothy 1:10
For fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for enslavers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
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Romans 1:26-2:1
For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
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Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming.
2. (a.) Characterized by integrity or fairness and straight/forwardness in conduct, thought, speech, etc.; upright; just; equitable; trustworthy; truthful; sincere; free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; -- said of persons and acts, and of things to which a moral quality is imputed; as, an honest judge or merchant; an honest statement; an honest bargain; an honest business; an honest book; an honest confession.
3. (a.) Open; frank; as, an honest countenance.
4. (a.) Chaste; faithful; virtuous.
5. (v.) To adorn; to grace; to honor; to make becoming, appropriate, or honorable.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HONEST; HONESTYon'-est, on'-es-ti: The word "honest" in the New Testament in the King James Version generally represents the adjective kalos, "good," "excellent," "honorable," and, with the exception ofLuke 8:15, "honest and good heart," is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) into the more correct "honorable" (Romans 12:172 Corinthians 8:21;2 Corinthians 13:7Philippians 4:8); in1 Peter 2:12, into "seemly.' In the American Standard Revised Version "honestly" inHebrews 13:18 is rendered "honorably," and in1 Thessalonians 4:12 (here euschemonos) is rendered "becomingly." The noun "honesty" occurs but once in the King James Version as the translation of semnotes (1 Timothy 2:2), and in the Revised Version (British and American) is more appropriately rendered "gravity."
James Orr
Greek
2570. kalos -- beautiful, good... NASB Word Usage beautiful (1), better (5), better* (2), commendable manner (1),
excellent (1), fair (1), fine (2), good (79), high (1),
honest (1), honorable (1
...4586. semnos -- reverend, ie venerable, spec. serious
... serious NASB Word Usage dignified (2), honorable (1), men of dignity (1). grave,
honest. From sebomai; venerable, ie Honorable -- grave,honest....
3717. orthos -- straight, upright
... Probably from the base of oros; right (as rising), ie (perpendicularly) erect
(figuratively,honest), or (horizontally) level or direct -- straight, upright....
3140. martureo -- to bear witness, testify
... From martus; to be a witness, ie Testify (literally or figuratively) -- charge,
give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well...
Strong's Hebrew
3653a. ken -- right, veritable,honest... 3653, 3653a. ken. 3653b . right, veritable,
honest. Transliteration:
ken Short Definition: right. Word Origin from kun Definition
...3653. ken -- right, veritable,honest
... ken. 3653a . right, veritable,honest. Transliteration: ken Phonetic Spelling:
(kane) Short Definition: base. base, estate, foot, office, place, well...
833. ashar -- to go straight, go on, advance
... a primitive root; to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level,
right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, behonest, proper -- (call, be...
3476. yosher -- straightness, uprightness
... Word Origin from yashar Definition straightness, uprightness NASB Word Usage correctly
(1),honest (1), integrity (1), justly due (1), right (1), upright (1...
Library
Whether theHonest is the Same as the Beautiful?
... FOUR ARTICLES) [*Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as synonymous with
moral goodness, from the point of view of decorum.] Whether thehonest is the...
Whether theHonest Differs from the Useful and the Pleasant?
... Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as synonymous with moral goodness,
from the point of view of decorum.] Whether thehonest differs from the useful...
"Whatsoever Things areHonest. "
... Epistle of Peter to James. Chapter X.""Whatsoever Things areHonest.". "Let
the brethren who have causes to be settled not be judged...
Thus EndedHonest Old John the Shepherd. ...
... [Way-2-11] Thus endedhonest old John the shepherd.? Thus endedhonest old
John the shepherd. And now, Academicus, if your learned...
The one Tradition of the Faith, which is Substantially Alike in...
... The One Tradition of the Faith, Which is Substantially Alike in the Churches Everywhere,
a Good Proof that the Transmission Has Been True andHonest in the Main...
The Testing of Joseph's Brothers
... We are all sons of one man; we arehonest men; your servants are not spies." But
he again said to them, "No, you have come to see how defenseless the land is...
The Poor Debtor.
... "THERE is onehonest man in the world, I am happy to say," remarked a rich merchant,
named Petron, to a friend who happened to call in upon him....
What is Your Word Worth?
... hindrances. We ought to behonest in making our promises. Many... Behonest enough
to let the other know the state of your mind. Behonest...
An unconscionable time a-dying
... In order that he may be kind andhonest, it may be needful he should become a total
abstainer; let him become so then, and the next day let him forget the...
False Professors Solemnly Warned
... Note, too, that the apostle was a veryhonest pastor"when he marked anything amiss
in his people, he did not blush to tell them; he was not like your modern...
Thesaurus
Honest (34 Occurrences)... free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; -- said of persons and acts, and
of things to which a moral quality is imputed; as, an
honest judge or merchant
...Honesty (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The quality or state of beinghonest; probity; fairness and straightforwardness
of conduct, speech, etc.; integrity; sincerity; truthfulness; freedom...
Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... In the above sense of simplicity of intention it is equivalent to beinghonest,
sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to true character. WL Walker....
Spies (22 Occurrences)
... Genesis 42:11 We are all one man's sons; we arehonest men.... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY
WBS YLT NAS RSV). Genesis 42:31 We said to him,'We arehonest men....
Matter (263 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that you arehonest, and teach the way of God in truth, no...
Honestly (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Honorably; becomingly; decently. 2. (adv.) In anhonest manner; as,
a contract honestly made; to live honestly; to speak honestly....
Defer (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that you arehonest, and teach the way of God in truth, no...
Millennium
... Manyhonest and faithful men hold that it will be introduced by the agencies now
at work, mainly by the preaching of the gospel of Christ and the extension of...
Premillennial
... Manyhonest and faithful men hold that it will be introduced by the agencies now
at work, mainly by the preaching of the gospel of Christ and the extension of...
Providing (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Providing (9 Occurrences). Romans 12:17 recompensing to
no one evil for evil: providing thingshonest before all men: (DBY YLT)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about honesty? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I spiritually survive a severe physical trauma? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgHonest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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