Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "obedient" refers to the act of submitting to authority, complying with commands, or following instructions. In the biblical context, obedience is primarily directed towards God and His commandments. The word "obedient" is derived from the Latin "obedire," meaning "to listen to" or "to hear," which underscores the biblical notion that obedience involves attentive listening and responding to God's voice.
Biblical Context:Obedience is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. It is often portrayed as a demonstration of faith and love towards God. The Bible emphasizes that obedience to God's commandments is a sign of true discipleship and a pathway to blessings.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, obedience is closely linked with the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Deuteronomy 11:1 states, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments." Here, obedience is presented as an expression of love for God.
The account of Abraham is a profound example of obedience. In
Genesis 22, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's command demonstrates his unwavering faith and obedience. This act is later commended in
Hebrews 11:17-19, highlighting the importance of obedience in the life of faith.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of obedience.
Philippians 2:8 describes Jesus as "being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's obedience to the Father's will is central to the salvation narrative.
Believers are called to emulate Christ's obedience.
Romans 6:16 states, "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?" This passage underscores the transformative power of obedience, leading to righteousness and life.
Theological Significance:Obedience is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules but is deeply rooted in a relationship with God. It is an act of worship and a response to God's grace. In
John 14:15 , Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This indicates that obedience is a natural outflow of love for Christ.
The concept of obedience also involves trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Obedience, therefore, is an expression of trust in God's perfect plan.
Practical Application:For Christians, obedience involves daily submission to God's will as revealed in Scripture. It requires a heart that is willing to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
James 1:22 exhorts believers, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This call to action emphasizes that true obedience is active and transformative.
In summary, obedience is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes and a life committed to His service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command.
Greek
5255. hupekoos -- giving ear,obedient... giving ear,
obedient. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hupekoos Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-ay'-ko-os) Short Definition: listening to,
obedient Definition
...5219. hupakouo -- to listen, attend to
... Word Origin from hupo and akouo Definition to listen, attend to NASB Word Usage
answer (1), becameobedient (1), becomingobedient (1), heed (1),obedient (2...
5218. hupakoe -- obedience
... 1:2). Word Origin from hupakouo Definition obedience NASB Word Usage obedience
(13),obedient (1), obey (1). obedience. From hupakouo...
1772. ennomos -- legal, subject to (law)
... legal, subject to (law). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ennomos Phonetic
Spelling: (en'-nom-os) Short Definition: legal,obedient to the law...
2138. eupeithes -- constantly attendant
... 2138 ("yield") only occurs in Js 3:17. compliant,obedient From eu and peitho; good
for persuasion, ie (intransitively) complaint -- easy to be intreated....
4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart
... an obstinate, hard heart which lacks the oil of the Holy Spirit and hence implies
rebellion -- ie someone refusing to be receptive (obedient) to God's...
3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority
... Word Origin from a comp. of peitho and archo Definition to obey authority NASB Word
Usage followed...advice (1),obedient (1), obey (2). to obey authority....
5293. hupotasso -- to place or rank under, to subject, mid. to...
... From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey -- be under obedience
(obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in...
Strong's Hebrew
4928. mishmaath -- anobedient band, body of subjects... 4927, 4928. mishmaath. 4929 . an
obedient band, body of subjects. Transliteration:
mishmaath Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mah'-ath) Short Definition: guard.
...8085. shama -- to hear
... 3), made a proclamation (1), make his heard (1), make their heard (1), make them
known (1), make themselves heard (1), make your heard (1),obedient (1), obey...
8091. Shama -- one of David's heroes
... Word Origin from shama Definition one of David's heroes NASB Word Usage Shama (1).
Shama. From shama';obedient; Shama, an Israelite -- Shama. see HEBREW shama'...
3348. Yaqeh -- father of Agur
... Jakeh. From an unused root probably meaning to obey;obedient; Jakeh, a symbolical
name (for Solomon) -- Jakeh. 3347, 3348. Yaqeh. 3349 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Obedient Disobedience
...OBEDIENT DISOBEDIENCE. 'But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you...
After Expounding the High Estate of the Almighty, the Eternity of...
... After expounding the high estate of the Almighty, the Eternity of the Son, and the
phrase "being madeobedient," he shows the folly of Eunomius in his...
That if Men had Remained Innocent andObedient in Paradise, the...
... Chapter 24."That If Men Had Remained Innocent andObedient in Paradise, the Generative
Organs Should Have Been in Subjection to the Will as the Other Members...
Desire in Paradise was Either None at All, or it wasObedient to...
... A Treatise against two letters of the pelagians, Chapter 35."Desire in Paradise
Was Either None at All, or It WasObedient to the Impulse of the Will....
Duty of Imitating Our Master Taught us by Slaves Even by Beasts....
... Chapter IV."Duty of Imitating Our Master Taught Us by Slaves Even by Beasts.
Obedient Imitation is Founded on Patience. Therefore...
God's Barriers against Man's Sin
... find forgiveness; but since he is the God who reigns alone where clouds and darkness
are round about him, the God to whom all nature isobedient, and whose...
The Secret of True Obedience.
... be made perfect. He learned obedience, He becameobedient unto death, that
He might become the author of our salvation. He became...
How to Keep Passion Week
... upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found
in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and becameobedient unto death...
Seventh Chapter
... aside your garment and chastise your body, that it may be brought into subjection
to your soul and reason." Then said the Master, "I will gladly beobedient."....
Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
... Thus nature has given to the eye to see, to the ears to hear, to the hands to work,
and to the feet to walk; and thus each member isobedient to the natural...
Thesaurus
Obedient (39 Occurrences)...Obedient (39 Occurrences).
... For wherever there is one who has been
obedient to
God, there is my brother--my sister--and my mother." (WEY).
...Slaves (119 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you
becameobedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were...
Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of obeying, or the state of beingobedient; compliance with that
which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control....
Obediently (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In anobedient manner; with obedience.
Multi-Version Concordance Obediently (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy...
Obeying (24 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, beobedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager
anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ...
Simplicity (12 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, beobedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager
anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ...
Obey (219 Occurrences)
... Testament meaning the word signifies "to hear," "to listen." It carries with it,
however, the ethical significance of hearing with reverence andobedient assent...
Merely (30 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dearly-loved friends, as I have always found you
obedient, labour earnestly with fear and trembling--not merely as though I were...
Subject (99 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Exposed; liable; prone; disposed; as, a country subject to extreme heat;
men subject to temptation. 4. (a.)Obedient; submissive....
Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... 27-30) relates almost wholly to the solemn sanctions of the law, the blessings to
theobedient, and the curse that would fall on the rebellious....
Resources
Does God reward us for being obedient to His Word? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you are the head and not the tail in Deuteronomy 28:13? | GotQuestions.orgObedient: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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