Topical Encyclopedia
The term "suitable" in the context of the Bible often refers to that which is appropriate, fitting, or proper according to God's design and purpose. It is a concept that underscores the importance of alignment with divine order and intention, particularly in relationships, roles, and actions.
Creation and RelationshipsThe concept of suitability is first introduced in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 2:18, God observes, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper." . Here, the term "suitable" (often translated as "fit" or "comparable") emphasizes the complementary nature of the relationship between man and woman. Eve is created as a partner who corresponds to Adam, highlighting the divine intention for companionship and mutual support in human relationships.
Roles and ResponsibilitiesSuitability also extends to the roles and responsibilities assigned by God. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the suitability of certain behaviors and roles within the church and family. For instance, in
1 Timothy 3:2, Paul writes, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." . The qualifications listed are suitable for someone in a position of spiritual leadership, reflecting the need for integrity and moral character.
Moral and Ethical ConductThe Bible frequently addresses the suitability of moral and ethical conduct. In
Ephesians 5:3-4, Paul exhorts believers, "But among you, as is proper for saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving." . Here, the term "proper" is synonymous with suitability, indicating behaviors that align with the identity and calling of believers as holy people.
Worship and OfferingsSuitability is also a theme in the context of worship and offerings. In the Old Testament, God provided specific instructions for sacrifices and offerings, emphasizing that only what was suitable and without blemish was acceptable.
Leviticus 22:21 states, "When anyone presents a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish to be acceptable; there must be no defect in it." . This requirement underscores the importance of offering God what is fitting and worthy of His holiness.
Wisdom and DiscernmentThe pursuit of wisdom and discernment is another area where suitability is significant.
Proverbs 25:11 illustrates this with the metaphor, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." . The imagery conveys the beauty and value of words that are suitable and timely, reflecting the importance of discernment in communication.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of suitability encompasses a wide range of applications, from relationships and roles to moral conduct and worship. It calls for alignment with God's design and purpose, ensuring that actions, words, and relationships are fitting and appropriate in the sight of the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Capable of suiting; fitting; accordant; proper; becoming; agreeable; adapted; as, ornaments suitable to one's station; language suitable for the subject.
Greek
4241. prepo -- to be fitting, proper,suitable... to be fitting, proper,
suitable. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prepo Phonetic
Spelling: (prep'-o) Short Definition: it becomes, is fitting to Definition
...2111. euthetos -- well-placed, ie ready for use
... well-placed, ie ready for use. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euthetos
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo'-thet-os) Short Definition:suitable, fit, useful...
433. aneko -- to be fit, be proper
... to be fit, be proper. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aneko Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ay'-ko) Short Definition: is due, becoming,suitable, proper Definition...
5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... Cognate: 5543 (an adjective, derived from 5530 , "to furnish what issuitable, useful")
-- properly, (serviceable, productive); (); beneficial, benevolent)....
170. akaireomai -- to have no opportunity
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: akaireomai Phonetic Spelling: (ak-ahee-reh'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I am without asuitable opportunity Definition: I...
1034. brosimos -- edible
... edible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: brosimos Phonetic Spelling:
(bro'-sim-os) Short Definition: eatable,suitable for food Definition: eatable...
514. axios -- of weight, of worth, worthy
... axios Phonetic Spelling: (ax'-ee-os) Short Definition: worthy, worthy of, deserving
Definition: worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable,suitable....
1822. exartizo -- to complete, to equip fully
... 1822 (from 1537 , "completely out from" intensifying , "makesuitable") --
properly, (because fullysuitable) because all the work ....
2121. eukairos -- timely
... timely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eukairos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-kahee-ros) Short Definition: timely,suitable Definition: opportune, timely...
2412. hieroprepes -- reverent
... reverent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hieroprepes Phonetic Spelling:
(hee-er-op-rep-ace') Short Definition:suitable to a sacred character...
Strong's Hebrew
1903. hagin -- perhaps appropriate,suitable.... 1902, 1903. hagin. 1904 . perhaps appropriate,
suitable.
... Word Origin from an
unused word Definition perhaps appropriate,
suitable. directly
...3787. kasher -- to be advantageous, proper, orsuitable, to...
... kasher. 3788 . to be advantageous, proper, orsuitable, to succeed. Transliteration:
kasher Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-share') Short Definition: success....
5000. naveh -- comely, seemly
... becometh, comely, seemly. From na'ah or naveh;suitable, or beautiful -- becometh,
comely, seemly. see HEBREW na'ah. see HEBREW naveh. 4999, 5000. naveh. 5001...
7737. shavah -- to agree with, be like, resemble
... A primitive root; properly, to level, ie Equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by
implication, to adjust (ie Counterbalance, besuitable, compose, place, yield...
4998. naah -- to be comely or befitting
... A primitive root; properly, to be at home, ie (by implication) to be pleasant (or
suitable), ie Beautiful -- be beautiful, become, be comely. 4997, 4998....
4725. maqom -- a standing place, place
... 1), area (1), country (1), direction (1), everywhere* (1), ground (2), home (7),
hometown (1), localities (1), place (348), placesuitable (1), places (16...
5048. neged -- in front of, in sight of, opposite to
... opposite* (5), other side (1), presence (13), resist* (1), risked* (1), sight (2),
sight* (2), straight ahead (3), straight before (1),suitable (2), under (1...
2969. yaah -- to befit, be befitting
... root Definition to befit, be befitting NASB Word Usage due (1). appertain. A primitive
root; to besuitable -- appertain. 2968, 2969. yaah. 2970 ....
Library
Whether it isSuitable for the Articles of Faith to be Embodied in...
... TREATISE ON THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES (QQ -46)OF FAITH (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is
suitable for the articles of faith to be embodied in a symbol?...
Whether this be aSuitable Form of Baptism: "I Baptize Thee in the...
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether this be asuitable form of
Baptism: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the...
Whether Olive Oil is aSuitable Matter for this Sacrament?
... EXTREME UNCTION (QQ -33) Whether olive oil is asuitable matter for this sacrament?...
Therefore chrism would be a moresuitable matter for this sacrament....
Whether Christ Suffered in aSuitable Place?
... THE PASSION OF CHRIST (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Christ suffered in asuitable place?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not suffer in asuitable place....
Whether the Foregoing Prayer is aSuitable Form for this Sacrament...
... EXTREME UNCTION (QQ -33) Whether the foregoing prayer is asuitable form
for this sacrament?... Therefore it is not asuitable form....
Of the Times MostSuitable for Baptism.
... Chapter XIX."Of the Times MostSuitable for Baptism. The Passover affords
a more than usually solemn day for baptism; when, withal...
The Title ChristSuitable as a Name of the Creator's Son, but...
... Wherein Christ is shown to be the Son of God, Who created the world Chapter
XV."The Title ChristSuitable as a Name of the Creator's Son, But Unsuited to...
Whether aSuitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE CEREMONIAL PRECEPTS (SIX ARTICLES) Whether asuitable cause
can be assigned for the ceremonies which pertained to sacrifices?...
Whether Christ Suffered at aSuitable Time?
... THE PASSION OF CHRIST (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Christ suffered at asuitable time?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not suffer at asuitable time....
Whether There was any MoreSuitable Way of Delivering the Human...
... THE PASSION OF CHRIST (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether there was any moresuitable
way of delivering the human race than by Christ's Passion?...
Thesaurus
Suitable (13 Occurrences)... (a.) Capable of suiting; fitting; accordant; proper; becoming; agreeable; adapted;
as, ornaments
suitable to one's station; language
suitable for the subject.
...Fit (47 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Adapted to an end, object, or design;suitable by nature or by art;
suited by character, qualities, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified...
Match (4 Occurrences)
... 9. (v.)Suitable combination or bringing together; that which corresponds or harmonizes
with something else; as, the carpet and curtains are a match. 10....
Comely (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.)Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable.... kum'-li-nes, kum'-li: Cognate
with "becoming," namely, what issuitable, graceful, handsome....
Appropriate (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.)Suitable for a particular use; fit; proper; as, appropriate language
or attire. Hence: Belonging peculiarly; peculiar;suitable;...
Suit (15 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) Regular order; succession. 10. (vt) To fit; to adapt; to make proper
orsuitable; as, to suit the action to the word. 11....
Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A time or place favorable for executing a purpose;
asuitable combination of conditions;suitable occasion; chance....
Wrong (391 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Not according to the laws of good morals, whether divine or human; notsuitable
to the highest and best end; not morally right; deviating from...
Infernal (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to hell; diabolical; as, infernal spirits, or conduct;suitable
for hell, or to the character of the inhabitants of hell; hellish....
Expedient (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Advantageous;suitable to a purpose, especially to one's own benefit; hastening
or forward; hence, tending to further or promote a proposed object; fit...
Resources
How was the woman a helper suitable for the man (Genesis 2:18)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that a wife is supposed to be a helpmeet / help meet? | GotQuestions.orgAre men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.orgSuitable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Thesuarus
