Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:Morals refer to principles or standards of behavior that distinguish between right and wrong or good and evil. In the biblical context, morals are deeply rooted in the character of God and are revealed through His commandments, teachings, and the life of Jesus Christ. The Bible serves as a moral compass for believers, providing guidance on how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Biblical Foundation:The foundation of biblical morals is found in the nature of God Himself, who is holy, just, and loving. The moral law, as given in the Scriptures, reflects God's character and His will for humanity. The Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17) are a primary example of God's moral law, outlining duties to God and fellow humans.
Old Testament Teachings:The Old Testament provides numerous examples of moral teachings. The book of Proverbs is particularly rich in moral instruction, offering wisdom on topics such as honesty, integrity, and justice.
Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them" . The prophets also called the people of Israel to moral living, emphasizing justice, mercy, and humility (
Micah 6:8).
New Testament Teachings:In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect moral example. His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) expand on the moral law, emphasizing internal righteousness over mere external compliance. Jesus teaches, "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets" (
Matthew 7:12).
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on Christian morals in his epistles. In
Galatians 5:22-23, he describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are central to Christian moral living.
Moral Challenges and the Human Condition:The Bible acknowledges the moral challenges faced by humanity due to the fallen nature of man.
Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" . Despite this, believers are called to pursue holiness and moral excellence through the power of the Holy Spirit (
1 Peter 1:15-16).
Role of the Church and Community:The church plays a vital role in teaching and upholding biblical morals. Believers are encouraged to hold one another accountable and to spur each other on toward love and good deeds (
Hebrews 10:24-25). The community of faith serves as a support system for moral growth and development.
Application in Daily Life:Biblical morals are not merely theoretical but are meant to be applied in every aspect of life. This includes personal conduct, family relationships, work ethics, and social interactions.
Colossians 3:17 instructs, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" .
Conclusion:While the Bible provides a comprehensive guide to morals, it also emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship empowers believers to live morally upright lives, reflecting God's love and righteousness to the world.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 6:9-11Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Topicalbible.org
Greek
2239. ethos -- custom... custom. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ethos Phonetic Spelling:
(ay'-thos) Short Definition: habit, manner, custom,
morals Definition: habit
...5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... better, easy, gracious, kind. From chraomai; employed, ie (by implication) useful
(in manner ormorals) -- better, easy, good(-ness), gracious, kind....
3807. paidagogos -- a trainer of boys, ie a tutor
... pahee-dag-o-gos') Short Definition: a boy's guardian or tutor Definition: a boy's
guardian or tutor, a slave who had charge of the life andmorals of the boys...
Library
ChristianMorals
ChristianMorals. <. ChristianMorals Sir Thomas Browne. Table of Contents.
Title Page. THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS Browne. CHRISTIANMORALS....
On theMorals of the Manich??ans.
... On theMorals of the Manich??ans. [De Moribus Manich??orum.] ad388. Containing
a particular refutation of the doctrine of these...
Of theMorals of the Catholic Church.
... Of theMorals of the Catholic Church. [De Moribus Ecclesi?? Catholic??].
ad388. It is laid down at the outset that the customs of...
St. Augustin: on theMorals of the Catholic Church.
... St. AUGUSTIN: on themorals of the catholic church. [de moribus ecclesi?? catholic??].
AD388. translated by the. rev. richard stothert, ma,. bombay....
St. Augustin: on theMorals of the Manich??ans.
... St. AUGUSTIN: on themorals of the manich??ans. [de moribus manich??orum].
AD388. translated by the. rev. richard stothert, ma,. bombay....
Morals and Mind. November 10.
...Morals and Mind. November 10. Not upon mind, not upon mind, but uponmorals,
is human welfare founded. The true subjective history...
The Vast Difference inMorals Between the Christians and their...
... Chapter XXXIV."The Vast Difference inMorals Between the Christians and
Their Accusers. But though such is our character (Oh!...
ChristianMorals. Part I.
ChristianMorals. <.... CHRISTIANMORALS. CHRISTIANMORALS. PART
I. TREAD softly and circumspectly in this funambulatory...
ChristianMorals. Part ii.
ChristianMorals. <.... CHRISTIANMORALS. CHRISTIANMORALS. PART II.
PUNISH not thyself with pleasure; glut not thy sense...
ChristianMorals. Part iii.
ChristianMorals. <.... CHRISTIANMORALS. CHRISTIANMORALS. PART III. TIS hard
to find a whole age to imitate, or what century to propose for example....
Thesaurus
Morals (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Morals (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 15:33 Don't be deceived!
"Evil companionships corrupt good
morals." (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV).
...Manners (6 Occurrences)
... Greek rites"; in 2 Esdras 9:19, the King James Version and the Revised Version
(British and American), "manners" appears in the sense of "morals"; compare 1...
Manner (351 Occurrences)
... Greek rites"; in 2 Esdras 9:19, the King James Version and the Revised Version
(British and American), "manners" appears in the sense of "morals"; compare 1...
Purity (16 Occurrences)
... or even of society about him-as in keeping conditions that develop typhoid
fever-he begins to realize that there is, a close tie between cleanliness andmorals...
Tone (9 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) General or prevailing character or style, as ofmorals, manners, or sentiment,
in reference to a scale of high and low; as, a low tone ofmorals; a...
Blue (51 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Severe or over strict inmorals; gloom; as, blue and sour religionists;
suiting one who is over strict inmorals; inculcating an impracticable...
Ethics
... Christian ethics is the science ofmorals conditioned by Christianity, and the problems
which it discusses are the nature, laws and duties of the moral life as...
Truth (380 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition; an established
principle, fixed law, or the like; as, the great truths ofmorals....
Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... with power and "riches and honor in abundance" (2 Chronicles 17:5). 2. His System
of Public Instruction: Believing that religion andmorals, the civilization...
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... will disclose the fact that Paul is not discussing the question for what causes
marriage might be disrupted, but the question of manners andmorals in the...
Resources
What is the transcendental argument for the existence of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Judeo-Christian ethic? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Plato? How did Platonism / Platonic thought influence society in Bible times? | GotQuestions.orgMorals: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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