Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "tolerated" often relates to the idea of enduring or allowing certain behaviors, practices, or beliefs that may not align with God's commandments or the teachings of Scripture. The term itself is not frequently used in the Bible, but the principle can be observed in various passages where God or His people endure certain actions or situations, often with the hope of repentance or change.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Israelites were often warned against tolerating the practices and idolatry of surrounding nations. God commanded them to remain separate and not to adopt the customs of the peoples around them. For example, in
Deuteronomy 18:9-12 , God instructs the Israelites: "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." This passage highlights the importance of not tolerating practices that are contrary to God's laws.
The account of King Solomon provides a narrative example of the dangers of tolerating idolatry. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him to tolerate and eventually participate in idol worship, which was against God's commands (
1 Kings 11:1-8). This tolerance of idolatry ultimately led to the division of the kingdom.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of tolerance is addressed in the context of church discipline and moral behavior. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often admonishes the early Christian communities to maintain purity and not to tolerate sin within the church. In
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 , Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for tolerating sexual immorality: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this?"
The letters to the seven churches in Revelation also address the issue of tolerance. In
Revelation 2:20 , the church in Thyatira is criticized for tolerating false teaching: "But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols."
Principles of Tolerance in Christian LivingWhile the Bible warns against tolerating sin and false teachings, it also calls believers to exercise patience and love towards others. Christians are encouraged to bear with one another in love (
Ephesians 4:2) and to be patient, as God is patient with humanity, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance (
2 Peter 3:9).
The balance between not tolerating sin and showing love and patience is a recurring theme in Christian ethics. Believers are called to speak the truth in love (
Ephesians 4:15) and to correct others gently (
Galatians 6:1), always aiming for restoration and reconciliation.
In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the necessity of tolerance in terms of patience and love, it clearly delineates the boundaries where tolerance of sin and falsehood is not acceptable. The ultimate goal is to uphold God's truth while extending grace and seeking the repentance and restoration of those who have strayed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Tolerate.
Library
Whether Heretics Ought to beTolerated?
... OF HERESY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether heretics ought to betolerated? Objection
1: It seems that heretics ought to betolerated. For...
But May not Images beTolerated in the Churches, as Books to the...
... Lord's Day 35 Question 98 But may not images betolerated in the churches,
as books to the laity? But may not images betolerated...
Whether the Rites of Unbelievers Ought to beTolerated?
... OF UNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the rites of unbelievers
ought to betolerated? Objection 1: It would seem that...
A Certain Degree of Intemperance is to beTolerated in the Case of...
... Book I. Chapter 16 [XIV.]"A Certain Degree of Intemperance is to BeTolerated in
the Case of Married Persons; The Use of Matrimony for the Mere Pleasure of...
Circular Letter to the Clergy of the Arch-Deaconry of Suffolk.
... Whether there he any in their parish, that absent themselves from Church, who resort
to no other assembly for the worship of God, which is by law nowtolerated...
What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and...
... connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though
openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonablytolerated, but sometimes...
Letter xxii. (AD 392. )
... For rioting and drunkenness are sotolerated and allowed by public opinion, that
even in services designed to honour the memory of the blessed martyrs, and...
Directions to Church-Wardens, &C.
... But since all such, who frequent any other assembly for God's worshiptolerated
by the said act, must on their pleading the same, and making proof thereof, be...
Letter xxix. (AD 395. )
... of our God." [1531] After reading these, I charged them to consider how believers
could hear these words, "but ye are washed," if they stilltolerated in their...
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... Being but an angel, Satan is neither omnipresent, omniscient nor omnipotent.
He is only atolerated rebel, as we aretolerated rebels....
Thesaurus
Tolerated (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Tolerate. Multi-Version Concordance
Tolerated (1 Occurrence). Esther 3:4 Now it came to
...Tolerate (8 Occurrences)
Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... to coming generations that all earthly monarchy must bow before the inviolable order
of the divine will, and that no interference could betolerated with that...
Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... Notwithstanding all this apparent zeal for the worship of Jehovah, Jehu yet
tolerated the worship of the golden calves at Dan and Bethel....
Jehoash (28 Occurrences)
... Hazael "was cutting Israel short." Hetolerated the worship of the golden calves,
yet seems to have manifested a character of sincere devotion to the God of...
Tolerating (1 Occurrence)
Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... Within the sphere of physical law this is clearly exemplified. No breach
of the so-called laws of Nature istolerated. Strictly...
Pass (1172 Occurrences)
... not expect to pass. 9. (vi) To be suffered to go on; to betolerated; hence,
to continue; to live along. 10. (vi) To go unheeded...
Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... This would be a shock to the Assidean purists, as Judas, though a priest, was not
a Zadokite; but his actions would betolerated at that time on account of the...
Ten (234 Occurrences)
... (2) The 2nd commandment forbids the use of images in worship; even an image of Yahweh
is not to betolerated (compare Exodus 32:5). Yahweh's mercy is greater...
Resources
How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is it important to be familiar with church history? | GotQuestions.orgIs gluttony a sin? What does the Bible say about overeating? | GotQuestions.orgTolerated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
