Topical Encyclopedia
Integrity, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that are consistent with the teachings of Scripture. It is a virtue that is highly esteemed in the Bible and is often associated with righteousness, uprightness, and blamelessness.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of integrity is prominently featured in the Old Testament. In the book of Job, Job is described as a man of integrity. Despite his severe trials, he maintains his integrity, refusing to curse God.
Job 2:3 states, "Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.'"
Proverbs also highlights the importance of integrity.
Proverbs 10:9 declares, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out." This verse underscores the security and stability that come from living a life of integrity, contrasting it with the eventual exposure of deceitful ways.
King David, in his psalms, often speaks of integrity as a guiding principle. In
Psalm 25:21 , David prays, "May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You." Here, integrity is seen as a protective force, preserving the believer in their walk with God.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, integrity is closely linked with sincerity and truthfulness. Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect integrity, as He lived a life without sin and always spoke the truth. In
John 14:6 , Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." His life and teachings set the standard for integrity for His followers.
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often emphasizes the importance of integrity in the life of a believer. In
2 Corinthians 8:21 , Paul writes, "For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." This verse highlights the dual aspect of integrity—being right before God and man.
Paul also instructs Timothy to maintain integrity in his ministry. In
1 Timothy 4:12 , he advises, "Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." Here, integrity is portrayed as an example to others, encompassing all areas of life.
Theological SignificanceIntegrity is foundational to the Christian life, as it reflects the character of God. God is described as a God of truth and faithfulness, and His followers are called to mirror these attributes. Integrity involves consistency between one's beliefs and actions, ensuring that one's life aligns with the teachings of Scripture.
The Bible warns against hypocrisy, which is the opposite of integrity. Jesus frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of integrity, as they outwardly appeared righteous but were inwardly corrupt (
Matthew 23:27-28).
Practical ApplicationLiving with integrity involves honesty, transparency, and consistency in all areas of life. It requires a commitment to truth, even when it is inconvenient or costly. Christians are called to uphold integrity in their personal lives, relationships, workplaces, and communities, serving as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Integrity is not only about avoiding wrongdoing but also about actively pursuing righteousness and justice. It involves making choices that honor God and reflect His character, trusting that He will uphold those who walk in integrity.
Topical Bible Verses
Proverbs 11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Topicalbible.orgProverbs 10:9
He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverts his ways shall be known.
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Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
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Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
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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 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
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1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
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Colossians 3:23
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;
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1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
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1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
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2 Corinthians 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
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Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; uprightness; -- used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts, the discharge of agencies, trusts, and the like; rectitude.
2. (n.) The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory.
3. (n.) Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INTEGRITYin-teg'-ri-ti (tom, tummah): The translation of tom, "simplicity," "soundness," "completeness," rendered also "upright," "perfection." Its original sense appears in the phrase letom (1 Kings 22:342 Chronicles 18:33), "A certain man drew his bow at a venture" margin "Hebrew, in his simplicity" (compare2 Samuel 15:11, "in their simplicity"). It is translated "integrity" (Genesis 20:5, 61 Kings 9:4Psalm 7:8;Psalm 25:21;Psalm 26:1, 11; 41:12:00; 78:72Proverbs 19:1;Proverbs 20:7), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. In the plural (tummim) it is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:30Deuteronomy 33:8Ezra 2:63Nehemiah 7:65), one of the sacred lots, indicating, perhaps, "innocence" or "integrity" Septuagint aletheia). SeeURIM AND THUMMIM. Another word translated "integrity" is tummah, from tamam, "to complete," "be upright," "perfect," only inJob 2:3, 1;Job 27:5;Job 31:6Proverbs 11:3.
The word "integrity" does not occur in the New Testament, but its equivalents may be seen in "sincerity," "truth," the "pure heart," the "single eye," etc. In the above sense of simplicity of intention it is equivalent to being honest, sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to true character.
W. L. Walker
Greek
90. adiaphthoria -- soundness, purity... Transliteration: adiaphthoria Phonetic Spelling: (ad-ee-af-thor-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: incorruptibility, soundness,
integrity Definition: incorruptibility
...3647. holokleria -- completeness, soundness
... perfect soundness. From holokleros;integrity, ie Physical wholeness -- perfect
soundness. see GREEK holokleros. (oloklerian) -- 1 Occurrence. 3646, 3647....
1514. eireneuo -- to bring to peace, to be at peace
... peace. Cognate: 1514 (from 1515 , "peace") -- living in the condition of
God's (gift of ,integrity of being). See 1515 (). Word...
Strong's Hebrew
8537. tom -- completeness,integrity, also part of the high...... tom. 8538 . completeness,
integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate.
Transliteration: tom Phonetic Spelling: (tome) Short Definition:
integrity.
...8538. tummah --integrity
... 8537, 8538. tummah. 8539 .integrity. Transliteration: tummah Phonetic
Spelling: (toom-maw') Short Definition:integrity. Word Origin...
8549. tamim -- complete, sound
... from tamam Definition complete, sound NASB Word Usage blameless (22), blamelessly
(1), complete (1), entire (1), full (1), intact (1),integrity (4), perfect (5...
8535. tam -- complete
... Word Origin from tamam Definition complete NASB Word Usage blameless (5), blameless
man (1), complete (2), guiltless (3),integrity (1), peaceful (1), perfect...
5228. nakoach -- straight, right, straightness
... From the same as nekach; straightforward, ie (figuratively), equitable, correct,
or (abstractly),integrity -- plain, right, uprightness. see HEBREW nekach....
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...
5229. nekochah -- equity, right thing, uprightness
... Feminine of nakoach; properly, straightforwardness, ie (figuratively)integrity,
or (concretely) a truth -- equity, right (thing), uprightness....
Library
Of theIntegrity of the Bodies in the Resurrection (Five Articles)
... OF THEINTEGRITY OF THE BODIES IN THE RESURRECTION (FIVE ARTICLES). We must
next consider theintegrity of the bodies in the resurrection....
Integrity and State of the Text.
... Part II. THE SONG OF THE THREE HOLY CHILDRENINTEGRITY AND STATE OF THE
TEXT. It has been suggested by Prof. Rothstein (in Kautzsch...
Integrity and State of the Text.
... Part IV. THE HISTORY OF BEL AND THE DRAGONINTEGRITY AND STATE OF THE TEXT. This
double story seems to have been treated as one in the Greek....
Integrity and State of the Text.
... Part III. THE HISTORY OF SUSANNAINTEGRITY AND STATE OF THE TEXT. In Th we
appear to have the story presented to us without material...
Whether virginity Consists inIntegrity of the Flesh?
... OF VIRGINITY (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether virginity consists inintegrity of
the flesh? Objection 1: It would seem that virginity does...
The WonderfulIntegrity of Alypius in Judgment. The Lasting...
... Book VI. Chapter X."The WonderfulIntegrity of Alypius in Judgment. The
Lasting Friendship of Nebridius with Augustin. 16. Him...
Our Bodies, However Mutilated Before or after Death, Shall Recover...
... Chapter LVII."Our Bodies, However Mutilated Before or After Death, Shall
Recover Their PerfectIntegrity in the Resurrection....
Whether virginity is a virtue?
... by its end, in so far, to wit, as this is done in order to have leisure for Divine
things: while the material element in virginity isintegrity of the flesh...
Whether Penance is a Second Plank after Shipwreck?
... Consequently Penance holds the second place with regard to the state ofintegrity
which is bestowed and safeguarded by the aforesaid sacraments, so that it is...
Whether Death is Essential to Martyrdom?
... Objection 2: Further, we read of certain women as commended for despising life for
the sake of safeguarding theintegrity of the flesh: wherefore seemingly the...
Thesaurus
Integrity (46 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness;
unbroken state; as, the
integrity of an empire or territory.
...INTEGRITY.
...Simplicity (12 Occurrences)
... commonly translated "simplicity" are pethi, "simple" (Proverbs 1:22), pethayyuth,
"simplicity" (9:13 margin), tom, "completeness," "integrity" (2 Samuel 15:11...
Walks (51 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor who walks in hisintegrity than
he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. (WEB NAS RSV)....
Blameless (81 Occurrences)
... He still maintains hisintegrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him
without cause." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Job 4:6 Isn't your piety your confidence?...
Matthew (5 Occurrences)
... GH Schodde. MATTHEW, THE GOSPEL OF. (euaggelion kata Maththaion (or Matthaion)):
1. Name of Gospel-Unity andIntegrity 2. Canonicity and Authorship 3. Relation...
Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... Final Attack (4) Probable Date II. THE BOOK 1. Contents (Nahum 1-3) 2. Style
3.Integrity III. TEACHING 1. The Character of Yahweh...
Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to myintegrity that is in
me. (See NAS).... Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in myintegrity....
Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 9:4 As for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked,
inintegrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have...
Curb (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber, or a metal member, forming
a frame around an opening, and serving to maintain theintegrity of that...
Corruption (37 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Loss ofintegrity, virtue, or moral principle; as, a corruption of morals;
the state of being corrupted or debased; loss of purity orintegrity...
Resources
What does the Bible say about integrity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Job was blameless and upright? | GotQuestions.orgWhat principles should distinguish a Christian business? | GotQuestions.orgIntegrity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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