Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of what is "permitted" in the Bible often revolves around the laws, commandments, and teachings that God has given to His people. The term encompasses what is allowed or sanctioned by God, as opposed to what is forbidden or sinful. Understanding what is permitted is crucial for living a life that aligns with biblical principles.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai provides a comprehensive guide to what is permitted for the Israelites. The Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational element, outlining key moral and spiritual principles. Beyond these, the Mosaic Law includes numerous regulations concerning daily life, worship, and community conduct. For example, certain foods are permitted while others are considered unclean (Leviticus 11).
The concept of permission also extends to religious practices. In
Leviticus 23, God outlines the festivals and Sabbaths that the Israelites are permitted to observe, providing a rhythm of worship and rest. Additionally, the sacrificial system described in Leviticus and Numbers delineates what offerings are permitted for atonement and worship.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills the Law, and the focus shifts from strict adherence to the Law to the principles of love and grace. However, the question of what is permitted remains significant. Jesus addresses this in various teachings, such as when He discusses the Sabbath: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (
Mark 2:27), indicating a shift from legalism to the spirit of the law.
The Apostle Paul also addresses what is permitted in the context of Christian liberty. In
1 Corinthians 10:23 , he states, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying." Here, Paul emphasizes that while Christians have freedom in Christ, they must consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe Bible provides guidance on moral and ethical issues, delineating what is permitted in various aspects of life. For instance, marriage is permitted and honored, as seen in
Hebrews 13:4 : "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers." Conversely, sexual immorality is not permitted, as it goes against God's design for human relationships.
In matters of speech,
Ephesians 4:29 instructs believers: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This highlights the importance of using speech that is permitted by God—speech that edifies and encourages.
Worship and Community LifeThe New Testament church faced questions about what practices were permitted, especially concerning the integration of Gentile believers. In
Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council determined that Gentile converts were not required to follow all aspects of the Mosaic Law, but they were to abstain from certain practices, such as idolatry and sexual immorality, which were not permitted.
Worship practices also reflect what is permitted. In
John 4:24 , Jesus teaches, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." This indicates that true worship is not confined to specific rituals but is permitted when it aligns with the truth of God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
ConclusionThe concept of what is permitted in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing laws, moral principles, and spiritual practices. It requires discernment and a heart aligned with God's will, as believers seek to live lives that honor Him in all aspects.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Permit.
Greek
1832. exesti -- it ispermitted, lawful... it is
permitted, lawful. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exesti Phonetic Spelling:
(ex'-es-tee) Short Definition: it is
permitted, lawful, possible
...952. bebelos --permitted to be trodden, by impl. unhallowed
... 951, 952. bebelos. 953 .permitted to be trodden, by impl.... See also 949 ().
Word Origin from belos (a threshold) Definitionpermitted to be trodden, by impl...
1439. eao -- to let alone, leave
... verb, see also ea Definition to let alone, leave NASB Word Usage allow (2), allowed
(2), leaving (1), left (1), let (2), permit (1),permitted (1), stop (1)....
863. aphiemi -- to send away, leave alone, permit
... leave (7), leaves (2), leaving (8), left (38), let (9), let...alone (6), let him
have (1), neglected (1), neglecting (2), permit (6),permitted (1), permitting...
2010. epitrepo -- to turn to, entrust, hence to permit
... to permit NASB Word Usage allow (2), allowed (2), gave...permission (2),
given...permission (1), granted permission (1), permit (4), permits (2),permitted (...
1325. didomi -- to give (in various senses lit. or fig.)
... 122), given (117), gives (14), giving (12), grant (15), granted (10), granting
(2), leave (1), make (1), offer (2), pass (1), pay (5),permitted (1), pour (1...
Strong's Hebrew
5117. nuach -- to rest... 3), gives rest (1), had rest (1), idle* (1), laid (2), lay (8), lay down (1), laying
(1), leave (8), left (7), let alone (4), let go* (1),
permitted (2), place
...Library
Why Eminent Men arePermitted by God to Become Authors of...
... Chapter X. Why Eminent Men arepermitted by God to become Authors of
Novelties in the Church.? Why Eminent Men arepermitted by...
It is notPermitted to a Layman to Enter the Sanctuary Holy Altar....
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXIX. It is notpermitted to a layman
to enter the sanctuary Holy Altar? It is notpermitted...
It is notPermitted to Heretics to Enter the House of God While...
... Canon VI. It is notpermitted to heretics to enter the house of God while
they continue? It is notpermitted to heretics to enter...
It is notPermitted to Hold Love Feasts, as they are Called...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
XXVIII. It is notpermitted to hold love feasts, as they are called?...
It is notPermitted to Hold what are Called Agap??...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXIV. It is notpermitted to hold
what are called Agap??? It is notpermitted to hold what...
Why it was SometimesPermitted that a Man Should have Several...
... Book I. Chapter 10 [IX.]"Why It Was SometimesPermitted that a Man Should Have Several
Wives, Yet No Woman Was Ever Allowed to Have More Than One Husband....
Women are notPermitted to Speak at the Time of the Divine Liturgy...
... Women are notpermitted to speak at the time of the Divine Liturgy?... For it is not
permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also saith....
David's Prohibited Desire andPermitted Service
... THE FIRST BOOK OF CHRONICLES DAVID'S PROHIBITED DESIRE ANDPERMITTED SERVICE.
'Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him...
Let no Cleric bePermitted to Keep a "Public House. ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon IX. Let no cleric bepermitted to
keep a "public house.? Let no cleric bepermitted to keep...
An Orthodox Man is notPermitted to Marry an Heretical Woman...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXII. An orthodox man is notpermitted
to marry an heretical woman? An orthodox man is not...
Thesaurus
Permitted (31 Occurrences)...Permitted (31 Occurrences).
... Mark 10:4 "Moses," they said, "
permitted a man to draw
up a written notice of divorce, and to send his wife away." (WEY NAS NIV).
...Male (303 Occurrences)
... use of male and female animals in the rules concerning sacrifice; in some offerings
none but males were allowed, in others females werepermitted along with...
Nazarite (8 Occurrences)
... "The ceremonies involved took a longer time than Paul had at his disposal, but the
lawpermitted a man to share the vow if he could find companions who had...
Goel
... by man shall his blood be shed," and was carried out even if an animal had killed
a man; in this case, however, the payment of a ransom waspermitted (Exodus 21...
Trial (45 Occurrences)
... Not only so, but, in a large degree, theypermitted these laws to be
administered by the officials of the subject peoples. This...
Agriculture
... to sow a field with divers seeds (Deuteronomy 22:9). A passer-by was at liberty
to eat any quantity of corn or grapes, but he was notpermitted to carry away...
Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... Not only so, but, in a large degree, theypermitted these laws to be
administered by the officials of the subject peoples. This...
Aaron (343 Occurrences)
... the mount to receive the tables of the law, Aaron and his two sons, Nadab and Abihu,
along with seventy of the elders of Israel, werepermitted to accompany...
Revelation (52 Occurrences)
... But this people was notpermitted to imagine that it owed its segregation to anything
in itself fitted to attract or determine the Divine preference; no...
Altar (343 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem by the Romans (70 AD). The fire on the altar was notpermitted to
go out (Leviticus 6:9). In the Mosque of Omar, immediately...
Resources
Who is permitted to baptize / perform baptisms? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Satan think he could defeat God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between priests and Levites? | GotQuestions.orgPermitted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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