Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "nice" is not directly found in the Bible; however, its concept can be related to biblical principles of kindness, gentleness, and goodness. The word "nice" in modern English often refers to someone who is pleasant, agreeable, or kind-hearted. The etymology of "nice" traces back to the Latin word "nescius," meaning ignorant, which evolved over time to denote someone who is agreeable or pleasant.
Biblical Concepts Related to "Nice":While the Bible does not use the word "nice," it emphasizes virtues that align with the modern understanding of niceness. These virtues include kindness, gentleness, and love, which are fruits of the Spirit as described in
Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Kindness:Kindness is a central theme in the Bible and is often associated with God's character and the behavior expected of believers.
Ephesians 4:32 instructs, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse highlights the importance of kindness as a reflection of God's forgiveness and love.
Gentleness:Gentleness is another attribute closely related to being nice. It involves a humble and calm demeanor, especially in interactions with others. In
Philippians 4:5 , Paul encourages believers, "Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near." This exhortation underscores the importance of gentleness as a testimony to others of the believer's faith and the presence of the Lord.
Goodness:Goodness, as a fruit of the Spirit, encompasses moral integrity and benevolence.
Romans 15:14 states, "I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another." Here, goodness is linked with knowledge and the ability to edify others, suggesting that being nice involves a commitment to moral excellence and the well-being of others.
Love:Love is the greatest commandment and the foundation of all Christian virtues. Jesus taught in
Matthew 22:37-39 , "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Love encompasses all aspects of being nice, as it calls for selflessness, compassion, and a genuine concern for others.
Practical Application:In practical terms, being nice as a Christian involves embodying these biblical virtues in daily life. It means treating others with respect, showing compassion, and acting with integrity.
Colossians 3:12 advises believers, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This passage encourages Christians to actively cultivate these qualities, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "nice," the principles associated with niceness are deeply rooted in Scripture. By embodying kindness, gentleness, goodness, and love, believers can reflect the character of Christ and fulfill the biblical mandate to love God and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate.
2. (superl.) of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial.
3. (superl.) Over scrupulous or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.
4. (superl.) Delicate; refined; dainty; pure.
5. (superl.) Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment.
6. (superl.) Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application; exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.
7. (superl.) Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice person; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc.
Greek
2866. kompsoteron -- well-dressed... better. Neuter comparative of a derivative of the base of komizo (meaning, properly,
well dressed, ie
Nice); figuratively, convalescent -- + began to amend.
...Strong's Hebrew
2899b. tobah -- welfare, benefit, good things, good... 1), enjoy* (2), favorably disposed (1), good (34), good deeds (1), good thing (2),
good things (3), goodness (5), happiness (1), kindly (2),
nice things (1
...Library
The Canons of the 318 Holy Fathers Assembled in the City ofNice...
... The Canons of the 318 Holy Fathers Assembled in the City ofNice, in Bithynia.
Canon I. If any one in sickness has been subjected...
The Decree of the Holy, Great, Ecumenical Synod, the Second of...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. The Decree of the Holy, Great, Ecumenical Synod, the
Second ofNice. (Found in Labbe and Cossart, Concilia. Tom. VII., col.552.)...
Eusebius and Theognis who at the Council ofNice had Assented to...
... Book II. Chapter XVI."Eusebius and Theognis who at the Council ofNice had
assented to the Writings of Arius restored to their own Sees....
The Faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers Assembled at...
... Canon I. The Faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers assembled
atNice in Bithynia shall? The Faith of the Three Hundred...
The First Ecumenical Council. The First Council ofNice.
... The First Ecumenical Council. The First Council ofNice. ad325. Emperor."
Constantine. Pope."Silvester. Elenchus. Historical Introduction....
The Holy Creed which the 150 Holy Fathers Set Forth, which is...
... in Syria. The Holy Creed Which the 150 Holy Fathers Set Forth, Which is
Consonant with the Holy and Great Synod ofNice . (Found...
The Captions of the Arabic Canons Attributed to the Council of...
... The Captions of the Arabic Canons Attributed to the Council ofNice. Canon I. [109]
Insane persons and energumens should not be ordained. Canon II....
The Canons of the Holy Fathers Assembled at Gangra, which were Set...
... Ecumenical Synods. The Canons of the Holy Fathers Assembled at Gangra, Which
Were Set Forth After the Council ofNice . Canon I. If...
The Seventh Ecumenical Council. The Second Council ofNice.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. The Seventh Ecumenical Council. The Second Council
ofNice. ad787. Emperors."Constantine VI. and Irene. Pope."Hadrian....
Excursus on the Number of the Nicene Canons.
... In this letter is contained the marvellous assertion that the Council ofNice at
first adopted forty canons, which were in Greek, that it subsequently added...
Thesaurus
Nice (1 Occurrence)... 5. (superl.) Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing
accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a
nice taste or
...Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence, adapted to please a
nice or cultivated taste;nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate...
Exquisite
... 1. (a.) Carefully selected or sought out; hence, of distinguishing and surpassing
quality; exceedinglynice; delightfully excellent; giving rare satisfaction...
Delicacy (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.)Nice propriety of manners or conduct; susceptibility or tenderness of feeling;
refinement; fastidiousness; and hence, in an exaggerated sense...
Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
Nica'nor (1 Occurrence)
Nica'nor. Nicanor, Nica'nor.Nice . Multi-Version Concordance Nica'nor
(1 Occurrence).... Nicanor, Nica'nor.Nice . Reference Bible.
Jump (3 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) An abrupt interruption of level in a piece of brickwork or masonry. 17.
(a.)Nice; exact; matched; fitting; precise. 18. (adv.) Exactly; pat....
Fine (184 Occurrences)
... overdecorated; showy. 3. (superl.)Nice; delicate; subtle; exquisite; artful;
skillful; dexterous. 4. (superl.) Not coarse, gross, or heavy. 5...
Fair (147 Occurrences)
... Revised Version (British and American) "goodly"), and means literally, town bred
(as opposed to boorish), polite, polished in manners, urbane, thennice, pretty...
Feat (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To form; to fashion. 4. (n.) Dexterous in movements or service; skillful;
neat;nice; pretty. Multi-Version Concordance Feat (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
Is it wrong to live in nice houses (Haggai 1:4)? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do we have to dress up nice for church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD)? | GotQuestions.orgNice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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