Definition: The term "accountable" refers to the responsibility or obligation to answer for one's actions, particularly in a moral or spiritual context. In the Bible, accountability is often associated with the idea of being answerable to God for one's deeds, thoughts, and words.

Biblical Context: The concept of accountability is woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and the inevitability of divine judgment. It underscores the belief that individuals are answerable to God for their actions and will ultimately face His judgment.

Old Testament References:

1. Genesis 3:11-13 · The account of Adam and Eve highlights the theme of accountability. After disobeying God, both Adam and Eve are held responsible for their actions. God questions them, illustrating the expectation of accountability for one's choices.

2. Ezekiel 18:20 · "The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not bear the iniquity of the father, nor will the father bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him." This verse emphasizes individual responsibility and accountability for one's own actions.

New Testament References:

1. Romans 14:12 · "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This passage clearly states that every person is accountable to God, reinforcing the personal nature of this responsibility.

2. Matthew 12:36-37 · Jesus teaches, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." This highlights the accountability for even the words we speak, indicating the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

3. 2 Corinthians 5:10 · "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." This verse underscores the certainty of judgment and the accountability each person has for their actions.

Theological Implications:

· Moral Responsibility: The Bible teaches that humans are moral agents with the capacity to choose between right and wrong. Accountability implies that individuals are responsible for their choices and must bear the consequences of their actions.

· Judgment: The concept of accountability is closely linked to the doctrine of judgment. Scripture affirms that God is the ultimate judge who will hold every person accountable for their deeds (Hebrews 9:27).

· Repentance and Forgiveness: While accountability involves facing the consequences of one's actions, the Bible also offers the hope of forgiveness through repentance. 1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

· Community Accountability: In addition to personal accountability, the Bible encourages believers to hold one another accountable within the community of faith. Galatians 6:1-2 instructs believers to restore those caught in sin gently and to bear one another's burdens.

Practical Application:

· Self-Examination: Believers are encouraged to regularly examine their lives in light of Scripture, ensuring they live in a manner pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 13:5).

· Accountability Relationships: Christians are urged to establish relationships with fellow believers who can provide encouragement, correction, and support in their spiritual walk (Proverbs 27:17).

· Stewardship: Accountability extends to the stewardship of resources, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to individuals. Believers are called to use these wisely and for God's glory (1 Peter 4:10).

In summary, the biblical concept of accountability emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to live righteously before God, recognizing that they will ultimately answer to Him for their actions.1. (a.) Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is accountable to God for his conduct.

2. (a.) Capable of being accounted for; explicable.

5267. hupodikos -- brought to trial, answerable to
... judgment of. Word Origin from hupo and dike Definition brought to trial,
answerable to NASB Word Usage accountable (1). guilty. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5267.htm - 6k2942. teem -- taste, judgment, command
... Word Origin (Aramaic) from teem Definition taste, judgment, command NASB Word Usage
accountable (1), command (1), commanded* (1), commander* (3), decree (18 ...
/hebrew/2942.htm - 6k

Election and Holiness
... I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you
reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/election and holiness.htm

On Predestination
... it at all. 6. Indeed, if man were not free, he could not be accountable
either for his thoughts, word, or actions. If he were not ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 58 on predestination.htm

The Good Steward
... even our thoughts are not our own, in this sense; they are not at our own disposal;
but for every deliberate motion of our mind we are accountable to our great ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 51 the good steward.htm

To the Saddest of the Sad
... When they have done their best to preach this gospel of their own, then
they are accountable for having made that gospel. For every ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/to the saddest of the.htm

Appendix 2 the Case of Adam
... The responsibility of each of the rational descendants of Adam, while real, and
sufficient to establish them accountable to their Creator is, nevertheless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/appendix 2 the case of.htm

Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... reward; if not, our curse. God will hold us accountable for the achievements
we make by the abilities he has given us. If he gives us ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter vii responsibilities of the.htm

The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... II. Christ reminding Pilate, that he possessed only delegated power; intimating
that he was accountable for the use he made of it. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xii the aggravated guilt.htm

Come-Outers.
... have no creed, believing that every one should be left free to hold such opinions
on religious subjects as he pleases, without being held accountable for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/come-outers.htm

How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the ...
... although we may soon be deprived of it; for one hour is sufficient to those that
are exercised in virtue, wherein we may live with a mind accountable only to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the senators.htm

Objections Prevented. ...
... Sec. 9. Inconsiderate commands of superiors in such things to be obeyed, though
superiors will be severely accountable to God. Sec. 10. ...
/.../chapter ix objections prevented .htm

Accountable (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is
accountable to God for his conduct. ...Accountable (10 Occurrences). ...
/a/accountable.htm - 10k

Responsibility (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of being responsible, accountable,
or answerable, as for a trust, debt, or obligation. ...
/r/responsibility.htm - 11k

Accountability
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being accountable; liability
to be called on to render an account; accountableness. Int. ...
/a/accountability.htm - 14k

Accounted (32 Occurrences)

/a/accounted.htm - 15k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... His rectoral or distributive justice is his dealing with his accountable creatures
according to the requirements of the law in rewarding or punishing them ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak
they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. (WEY). ...
/j/judgement.htm - 26k

Responsible (242 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Liable to respond; likely to be called upon to answer; accountable; answerable;
amenable; as, a guardian is responsible to the court for his conduct in ...
/r/responsible.htm - 37k

Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... by sin or dereliction of duty, whether the wrong is active or passive, many, perhaps
the majority of those who are injured, are not accountable in any way for ...
/e/evil.htm - 47k

Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... The proconsul exercised judicial as well as military power in his province, and
his authority was absolute, except as he might be held accountable at the ...
/d/deputy.htm - 11k

Careless (10 Occurrences)
... Careless (10 Occurrences). Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that for every careless
word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. ...
/c/careless.htm - 11k

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