Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Concept:Responsibility in the biblical context refers to the duty and obligation to act righteously and fulfill one's roles and commitments as ordained by God. It encompasses personal accountability, stewardship, and the moral duty to adhere to God's commandments and teachings.
Biblical Foundations:The concept of responsibility is deeply rooted in Scripture, beginning with the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:28 , God commands humanity to "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate establishes humanity's responsibility to steward and care for creation.
Personal Responsibility:The Bible emphasizes personal responsibility in various aspects of life. In
Ezekiel 18:20 , it is stated, "The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, nor will a father bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him." This passage underscores the principle that individuals are accountable for their own actions and decisions.
Stewardship:Stewardship is a significant aspect of biblical responsibility. In the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of using one's gifts and resources wisely. The servants are entrusted with their master's wealth, and their responsibility is to manage it effectively. The parable teaches that God expects His followers to be diligent and faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities He provides.
Family and Community:The Bible also addresses responsibility within the family and community.
Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the parental responsibility to nurture and guide children in the ways of the Lord. Similarly,
Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ," emphasizing communal responsibility and support.
Work and Vocation:Colossians 3:23-24 speaks to the responsibility in work and vocation: "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage calls believers to perform their duties with diligence and integrity, recognizing their work as service to God.
Moral and Ethical Responsibility:The Bible calls for adherence to moral and ethical standards.
Micah 6:8 succinctly states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the ethical responsibilities of justice, mercy, and humility that God expects from His people.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide a single definition of responsibility, it offers a comprehensive framework through various teachings and narratives. Responsibility is a multifaceted concept that encompasses personal accountability, stewardship, family and community obligations, vocational diligence, and adherence to moral and ethical standards. Through these principles, believers are called to live lives that honor God and reflect His character.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation.
2. (n.) That for which anyone is responsible or accountable; as, the responsibilities of power.
3. (n.) Ability to answer in payment; means of paying.
Greek
2233. hegeomai -- to lead, suppose... [2233 ("an official who ") carries important
responsibility and hence "casts a heavy
vote" (influence) -- and hence deserve cooperation by those who are led
...422. anepaischuntos -- not to be put to shame
... 422 (from 1 "not" and 1870, "ashamed") -- properly, not ashamed, because having
dischargedresponsibility which accomplishes what God assigns (note the prefix...
3784. opheilo -- to owe
... duties and responsibilities to the gods and to men, or to their sacrosanct
regulations. . . expresses human and ethicalresponsibility in the NT...
324. anadechomai -- to undertake, receive
... an-ad-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I welcome, receive kindly, undertake Definition:
I welcome, receive kindly; I undertake, assume theresponsibility of....
4234. praxis -- a deed, function
... function, business. Cognate: 4234 -- "a function, implying activity
and/orresponsibility" (, 1, 42.5). See 4238 (). Word Origin...
2322. therapeia -- attention, medical service
... Cognate: 2322 -- healing, focusing on the reversal of the physical condition (illness,
disease) itself carrying theresponsibility of fully serving the Lord...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Heb 11:6). But a personal encounter with Christ (a true connection with Him and
His Word) is always necessary for believing ("man'sresponsibility") to be...
Strong's Hebrew
6486. pequddah -- oversight, mustering, visitation, store... 1), executioners (1), fate (1), muster (2), office (1), officers (1), offices (3),
oversight (2), prison* (1), punishment (11),
responsibility (2), stored (1).
...530. emunah -- firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
... firmness, steadfastness, fidelity NASB Word Usage faith (1), faithful (3), faithfully
(8), faithfulness (25), honestly (1),responsibility (1), stability (1...
5921. al -- upon, above, over
... 2), presence (2), pressed* (1), prompts* (1), reason (2), reason* (6), received
(1), regard (3), regarding (1), respect (1),responsibility (1), ruthlessly* (1...
Library
HumanResponsibility
... HumanResponsibility. A Sermon (No.194). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, May 16, 1858,
by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens....
Responsibility.
... Book III. Chapter XXII."Responsibility. Then Simon said: "I know not
whether I know even this; for every one, according as it...
Responsibility Asserted.
... Chapter XLIII."Responsibility asserted. But lest some suppose, from what
has been said by us, that we say that whatever happens...
Sovereignty and HumanResponsibility
... CHAPTER EIGHT SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMANRESPONSIBILITY. "So then every one of
us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom.14:12). In...
Sovereign Grace and Man'sResponsibility
... Sovereign Grace and Man'sResponsibility. A Sermon (No.207). Delivered on Sabbath
Morning, August 1, 1858, by the. REV.... The second point is MAN'SRESPONSIBILITY....
Responsibility of Knowledge.
... Book V. Chapter VII."Responsibility of Knowledge. "Therefore, before any
one hears what is good for him, it is certain that he...
Responsibility of Men.
... Book II. Chapter XVIII."Responsibility of Men. "To this Aquila answered:
"How, then, are men in fault, if the wicked one, transforming...
Knowledge EnhancesResponsibility.
... Book VI. Chapter XIV."Knowledge EnhancesResponsibility. "And truly confusion
is our worthy portion, if we have done no more than...
Peter'sResponsibility in the Case of victor.
... Book II. Chapter 22 [XVI.]"Peter'sResponsibility in the Case of Victor.
Far be it from you, my brother, that such views should...
Man'sResponsibility for his Acts.
... STUDY II MAN'SRESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTS. THE STORY OF THE GARDEN OF
EDEN."Gen. 3. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible, Vol. I, 37-42....
Thesaurus
Responsibility (17 Occurrences)... power. 3. (n.) Ability to answer in payment; means of paying. Multi-Version
Concordance
Responsibility (17 Occurrences). Matthew
...Guilt (180 Occurrences)
... gilt: The Christian idea of guilt involves three elements:responsibility (Greek
aitia, "cause," depending upon a man's real freedom), blameworthiness (Latin...
Accountability
... There must, however, be a difference between theresponsibility of a conscience
that has never been enlightened and that of one which, having once been...
Charge (379 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To accuse; to make a charge or assertion against (a person or thing); to
lay theresponsibility (for something said or done) at the door of....
Care (466 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A burdensome sense ofresponsibility; trouble
caused by onerous duties; anxiety; concern; solicitude....
Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To take upon the shoulder or shoulders; as, to shoulder a basket; hence,
to assume the burden orresponsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder...
Keys (2 Occurrences)
... Did Jesus mean by these words to confer on Peter, or on anyone to whom they may
apply, authority, or obligation; privilege, orresponsibility?...
Power (862 Occurrences)
... Did Jesus mean by these words to confer on Peter, or on anyone to whom they may
apply, authority, or obligation; privilege, orresponsibility?...
Imputation
... recorded instances (Genesis 19:15 Exodus 20:5 Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:26);
and the assertion of the principle of personalresponsibility by Ezekiel and...
Responsible (242 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Involvingresponsibility; involving a degree of accountability on the part
of the person concerned; as, a responsible office. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
What does the Bible say about personal responsibility? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about a Christian's responsibility? | GotQuestions.orgDoes a son bear any responsibility for the sins of the father? | GotQuestions.orgResponsibility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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