Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "reliable" refers to the quality of being consistently good in quality or performance, able to be trusted, and dependable. In a biblical context, reliability is often associated with faithfulness, trustworthiness, and steadfastness, both in human relationships and in the character of God.
Biblical References:1.
God's Reliability: The Bible frequently emphasizes the reliability of God, highlighting His unchanging nature and faithfulness to His promises. In the Old Testament, God is described as a rock, symbolizing stability and dependability.
Deuteronomy 32:4 states, "He is the Rock; His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores God's perfect reliability in His actions and judgments.
2.
Jesus Christ as Reliable: Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate example of reliability.
Hebrews 13:8 affirms, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." This passage assures believers of Christ's unchanging nature and His dependable presence throughout time. Furthermore, in
Revelation 19:11, Jesus is called "Faithful and True," emphasizing His trustworthy character.
3.
Human Reliability: The Bible also addresses the importance of reliability in human conduct.
Proverbs 20:6 observes, "Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?" This proverb highlights the rarity and value of reliability in human relationships. Believers are encouraged to be reliable in their commitments and interactions with others, reflecting God's faithfulness in their own lives.
4.
Reliability in Speech: The reliability of one's words is a significant theme in Scripture.
James 5:12 advises, "Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No,' so that you will not fall under judgment." This instruction calls for honesty and consistency in communication, ensuring that one's words are trustworthy.
5.
Reliability in Stewardship: The parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the principle of reliability in stewardship. The servants who faithfully managed their master's resources were commended and rewarded, while the unreliable servant faced consequences. This parable teaches the importance of being dependable and responsible with what God entrusts to us.
6.
The Reliability of Scripture: The Bible itself is presented as a reliable source of truth and guidance.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This passage affirms the trustworthiness of Scripture as a foundation for faith and practice.
Theological Implications:The concept of reliability is deeply rooted in the character of God and is a fundamental attribute that believers are called to emulate. God's unwavering faithfulness serves as a model for human conduct, encouraging believers to be reliable in their relationships, commitments, and stewardship. The reliability of Scripture provides a solid foundation for faith, offering guidance and assurance in the believer's walk with God.
Topical Bible Verses
John 8:26I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Suitable or fit to be relied on; worthy of dependence or reliance; trustworthy.
Greek
4103. pistos -- faithful,reliable... faithful,
reliable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pistos Phonetic Spelling:
(pis-tos') Short Definition: trustworthy, faithful, believing Definition
...804. asphales -- certain, secure
... certain, secure. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asphales Phonetic Spelling:
(as-fal-ace') Short Definition: safe,reliable, trustworthy Definition...
950. bebaioo -- to confirm, secure
... guarantee. Cognate: 950 -- properly, to walk where it is solid (reliable,
guaranteed); hence, make (fullyreliable). See 949 ()....
4229. pragma -- a deed, a matter
... Cognate: 4229 (from 4238 , "accomplishing by ") -- properly, the needed to accomplish
what is , ie in a practical,reliable way. See 4231 ()....
1322. didache -- doctrine, teaching
... Cognate: 1322 (from 1321 , "to teach") -- established , especially a "summarized"
body of respected teaching (viewed asreliable, time-honored)....
1108. gnosis -- a knowing, knowledge
... relationship. See 1097 (). 1108 ("applied-knowledge") is only as accurate
(reliable) as the relationship it derives from. For example...
Strong's Hebrew
3559. kun -- to be firm... 1), ordained (1), ordered (1), place (1), prepare (21), prepared (37), prepares
(5), provide (1), provided (5), provides (1), ready (7),
reliable (1), rested (1
...539. aman -- to confirm, support
... assurance (1), have faith (1), have...assurance (1), last (1), lasting (1), nurse
(3), put your trust (2), puts...trust (2), reared (1),reliable (1), stand...
Library
Introduction
... On the other hand, since sources were, , no doubt, available andreliable, we see
no reason why Moses should not have used all available material and, being...
Authenticity and Credibility of the Gospel Narratives.
... be found who, admitting their apostolic origin in essentially their present form,
will venture to deny that they contain an authentic andreliable record of...
Chapter iv
... Having cast off the onlyreliable account of man's first deeds and achievements,
practically all writers of the present then proceed to draw very largely upon...
Character of the New Testament.
... In these inspired writings we have, not indeed an equivalent, but areliable substitute
for the personal presence and the oral instruction of Christ and his...
'The God of the Amen'
... Amen.'. I. Note the meaning of the name. Now, Amen is an adjective, which
means literally firm, true,reliable, or the like. And, as...
The Pupils of Origen.
... [2020] Our sources for a knowledge of the life of Gregory, who is known as Gregory
Thaumaturgus ("wonder-worker"), are numerous, but not all of themreliable....
The Use of Philosophy to the Gnostic.
... arrogantly boast, or from others like them. But human teachers, speaking
of God, are notreliable, as men. For he that is man cannot...
Books on Introduction, Bible Dictionaries and Related Works.
... Able andreliable works of a Presbyterian scholar. EDWARDS TC, Commentary on
I Corinthians, 3d edit. London 1897.... Very able andreliable....
Chapter x
... Consequently, we must regard this document as a true andreliable testimony to the
unity of the human race as well as of the development of the race from the...
Luke.
... Post-apostolic tradition, always far below the healthy and certain tone of the New
Testament, mostly vague and often contradictory, neverreliable, adds that...
Thesaurus
Reliable (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Reliable (8 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Proverbs 22:21 To
teach you truth,
reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
...Separate (115 Occurrences)
... In the West, where Origen was viewed with suspicion, the Acts of Paul were apparently
discredited, the only use of them as areliable source being found in...
Unreliable (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Notreliable; untrustworthy. SeeReliable.
Multi-Version Concordance Unreliable (2 Occurrences). Psalms...
Reliance (6 Occurrences)
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... was accurate, and who besides had been commanded by God to write the journeyings
of Israel (Numbers 33:2). To suppose that for 500 years noreliable record of...
Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... do not rest upon the testimony of the same eyewitnesses who stand for the ministry
of Jesus does not discredit them as embodyingreliable tradition, unless it...
General (9 Occurrences)
... historical reminiscence. But it must be confessed that the signs of the
presence ofreliable traditions are very scanty. The few...
Birth (357 Occurrences)
... do not rest upon the testimony of the same eyewitnesses who stand for the ministry
of Jesus does not discredit them as embodyingreliable tradition, unless it...
Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... But 1 Maccabees 1;, which is morereliable, gives a different account of the death
of Epiphanes after an attempt to rob a rich temple in Elymais....
Nanaea
... But 1 Maccabees 1;, which is morereliable, gives a different account of the death
of Epiphanes after an attempt to rob a rich temple in Elymais....
Resources
Is the Bible reliable? | GotQuestions.orgIs carbon dating a reliable method for determining the age of things? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Bible is infallible? What is biblical infallibility? | GotQuestions.orgReliable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
