In the context of the Bible, the concept of "approves" often relates to God's approval of human actions, character, and faith. It is a theme that underscores the importance of living in a manner that is pleasing to God, aligning with His will and commandments.

Divine Approval

God's approval is a central theme in Scripture, reflecting His pleasure in righteousness and obedience. In the Old Testament, God's approval is often linked to adherence to His laws and commandments. For instance, in the account of Noah, it is written, "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). Noah's life of obedience and faith earned him God's approval, leading to his salvation from the flood.

Similarly, in the New Testament, divine approval is associated with faith and the fruits of the Spirit. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This passage highlights that faith is a prerequisite for God's approval, emphasizing a relationship built on trust and belief in His promises.

Human Approval

While divine approval is paramount, the Bible also addresses the concept of human approval. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often contrasts seeking God's approval with seeking the approval of people. In Galatians 1:10 , Paul writes, "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." This verse underscores the importance of prioritizing God's approval over human accolades, suggesting that true servanthood to Christ requires a focus on divine rather than human validation.

Approval in Conduct and Speech

The Bible provides guidance on how believers can live in a way that garners God's approval. In 2 Timothy 2:15 , Paul advises, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." This instruction emphasizes diligence in studying and applying Scripture, suggesting that a life approved by God is one that is rooted in His Word and truth.

Moreover, the approval of one's speech is addressed in Proverbs 16:24 : "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." This proverb highlights the power of words to reflect a heart aligned with God's will, suggesting that speech can be a means of demonstrating a life approved by God.

Approval through Righteous Living

Righteous living is a recurring theme in the Bible concerning divine approval. In Romans 14:18 , Paul writes, "For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." This passage suggests that living a life of righteousness and peace not only pleases God but also earns the respect and approval of others.

The pursuit of righteousness is further emphasized in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : "Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts." Here, Paul highlights that God's approval is linked to the integrity and sincerity of one's heart, particularly in the context of sharing the gospel.

Conclusion

The concept of approval in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine approval through faith, obedience, and righteous living, as well as the distinction between seeking God's approval versus human approval. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects God's will, ensuring that their actions, words, and hearts align with His standards.1381a. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... to approve NASB Word Usage analyze (2), approve (3), approved (1), approves (1),
examine (4), examines (1), prove (1), proving (1), see fit (1), test (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381a.htm - 5k

268. hamartolos -- sinful
... Cognate: 268 (a substantival adjective, derived from 264 , "to by the mark") --
properly, from of what God approves, ie what is "wide of the mark"; a blatant ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/268.htm - 7k

93. adikia -- injustice, unrighteousness
... 1349 , "justice") -- properly, the of ; unrighteousness, as a of God's () which
brings ; a count (violation) of , ie what is contrary to His (what He approves ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/93.htm - 7k

Privatus of Sufes Said: "What Can be Said of the Man who Approves. ...
... Book VI. Chapter 27. " 51. Privatus of Sufes said: "What can be said
of the man who approves? "51. Privatus of Sufes [1689 ...
/.../chapter 27 51 privatus.htm

The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ...
... Our Confession approves honors to the saints. ... And since prayer ought to be made
from faith, how do we know that God approves this invocation? ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 26 the twenty-first article.htm

Article xvi: of Political Order.
... For the Gospel does not destroy the State or the family [buying, selling, and other
civil regulations], but much rather approves them, and bids us obey them as ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 21 article xvi of.htm

Article ix: of Baptism.
... the Gospel] is offered. Secondly, it is manifest that God approves of the
baptism of little children. Therefore the Anabaptists, who ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 12 article ix of.htm

Annals of the Saint's Life.
... 1557. St. Francis de Borja comes to Avila, and approves of the spirit of the Saint.
1558. ... St. Peter of Alcantara approves of her spirit, and St. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/annals of the saints life.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... that the end of the command must be inquired into, until it is ascertained
what the Lawgiver approves or disapproves. Example. Where ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Verse the Fifteenth
... He who approves not of that which he does, nor does that which he would, is the
slave of another, that is, of sin; But the man about whom the apostle is ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the fifteenth.htm

The Importance of Doing what is Right
... my beloved brothers: let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to be angry,
for a man's anger does not promote the righteousness that God approves. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the importance of doing what.htm

Therapius of Bulla Said: "If a Man Gives up and Betrays the ...
... We indeed say, that he who approves the baptism of Christ even in heretics, does
not betray to heretics the baptism of Christ; just in the same way as he does ...
/.../chapter 25 48 therapius.htm

That in his Confessions He May do Good, He Considers Others.
... children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of
falsehood," [827] but that fraternal one which, when it approves me, rejoices ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv that in his confessions.htm

Approves (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Approves (3 Occurrences). ... Have it to yourself before God.
Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves. ...
/a/approves.htm - 7k

Trier (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A person appointed according to law to try challenges of jurors; a trior.
4. (n.) That which tries or approves; a test. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/trier.htm - 8k

Tested (80 Occurrences)
... approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking
not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. ...
/t/tested.htm - 28k

Entrusting (4 Occurrences)
... approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking
not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. ...
/e/entrusting.htm - 7k

Motives (13 Occurrences)
... approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking
not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. ...
/m/motives.htm - 10k

Proves (11 Occurrences)
... approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking
not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives. ...
/p/proves.htm - 9k

Approve (14 Occurrences)
... Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in
that which he approves. (Root in WEB ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/approve.htm - 12k

Approvest (1 Occurrence)

/a/approvest.htm - 6k

Approvedness (1 Occurrence)

/a/approvedness.htm - 6k

Admission (2 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Declaration of the bishop that he approves of the presented as a fit person
to serve the cure of the church to which he is presented. ...
/a/admission.htm - 7k

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