In the context of the Bible, "approving" refers to the act of expressing satisfaction or agreement with something or someone, often in alignment with God's will and righteousness. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the importance of discernment, wisdom, and alignment with divine principles.

Biblical Foundation

The idea of approving is closely tied to discernment and testing what is good and acceptable in the sight of God. In Romans 12:2 , the Apostle Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This verse underscores the necessity of a renewed mind to discern and approve what aligns with God's will.

Moral and Ethical Approval

Approving in a moral and ethical sense involves recognizing and affirming what is right and just. Philippians 1:9-10 states, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Here, Paul emphasizes the role of love, knowledge, and insight in approving what is excellent and pure.

Approval in Relationships

Approval also plays a significant role in relationships, particularly within the Christian community. Romans 14:18 says, "For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." This passage highlights the dual aspect of approval—pleasing God and being recognized by others for righteous conduct.

Divine Approval

The ultimate approval comes from God, who examines the hearts and minds of individuals. In 2 Timothy 2:15 , Paul advises Timothy, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." This verse stresses the importance of diligence and accuracy in handling Scripture to gain God's approval.

Testing and Approving

The process of testing and approving is a recurring theme in Scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs believers to "Test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This directive encourages Christians to evaluate all teachings and practices, retaining only those that are good and true.

Approval and Faith

Approval is also linked to faith, as seen in Hebrews 11:2 , "This is why the ancients were commended." The chapter goes on to list individuals who received God's approval through their faith, demonstrating that faith is a key component in gaining divine approval.

Conclusion

The concept of approving in the Bible encompasses discerning and affirming what aligns with God's will, both in personal conduct and in the broader context of community and faith. It involves a commitment to righteousness, a pursuit of divine approval, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Approve.

2. (a.) Expressing approbation; commending; as, an approving smile.

4909. suneudokeo -- to join in approving
... to join in approving. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: suneudokeo Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-yoo-dok-eh'-o) Short Definition: I consent, agree, am of one ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4909.htm - 7k

4888. sundoxazo -- to join in approving, hence to glorify together
... to join in approving, hence to glorify together. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
sundoxazo Phonetic Spelling: (soon-dox-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4888.htm - 7k

2432. hilarotes -- cheerfulness
... Cognate: 2432 (a noun, derived from 2431 , "already won over, approving") -- "cheerful
readiness" (J. Thayer), ie the attitude that is ready to respond from a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2432.htm - 6k

1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a ...
... Phil 1:10: "For the purpose of you continuously approving the things that differ
(1308 ), so that you may be found brightly-pure (transparent) and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1308.htm - 8k

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... And yet their discerning or approving of the justice of the censure
before-hand, is not a preventing of the Elders in their work. ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

My Brother Fabius
... say, that nothing happens without God's will; on the ground that persecution is
especially worthy of God, and, so to speak, requisite, for the approving, to wit ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/de fuga in persecutione/my brother fabius.htm

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... according to the ability of the recipient, that they may augment them by exercising
activity, and then returning to reckon with them; when, approving of those ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

That Ghostly Song Accords not with Bodily: and the Cause and the ...
... I call not this approving men's allowance, for oft they err in their approving,
choosing such as God despised and despising those God has chosen. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iii that ghostly song.htm

A Soul's Tragedy
... I wonder how many of you there are who fancy that you have no more concern with
this sermon of mine than approving or disapproving of it, as the case may be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a souls tragedy.htm

Various Objections in Favour of the Common Interpretation Answered
... are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18.) "- Giving no offense in any thing,
that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/various objections in favour of.htm

Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ...
... Light and Love!"blending, harmonizing, in perfect equal manifestation, in the cross
of the Lord Jesus, and"Light now approving Love's activity"in the ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter viii still continues the.htm

It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ...
... dialecticians, that there is no fault of logic in praising a man in certain respects
while you blame him in others, but only in approving and disapproving one ...
/.../24 it is somewhat the.htm

Life a Tale
... We have the familiar lines of the poet, to this point: "One self-approving hour
whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas.". It is true. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/life a tale.htm

Concerning Free-Will
... to me with ears free from all envy, without imitating the jealousy of Cain, [2830]
or persecuting your brother, like Esau, [2831] or approving the brethren of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/methodius/concerning free-will/concerning free-will.htm

Approving (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Approve. 2. (a.) Expressing approbation; commending; as,
an approving smile. Multi-Version Concordance Approving (2 Occurrences). ...
/a/approving.htm - 7k

Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... decides as to the character of one's own actions, purposes, and affections, warning
against and condemning that which is wrong, and approving and prompting to ...
/c/conscience.htm - 37k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... Not Works, the Means of Justification (4) Baptism Also Eliminated (5) Elements of
Justification (a) Forgiveness of Sins (b) Declaring or Approving as Righteous ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:20 and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, I was
standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of those who were ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Necessities (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,
in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (KJV ASV DBY ...
/n/necessities.htm - 8k

Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... David, hearing of their deed, sent an approving message, and sought to win their
loyalty to himself (2 Samuel 2:4). Robinson (Biblical Researches, III, 39 ...
/j/jabeshgilead.htm - 13k

Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... David, hearing of their deed, sent an approving message, and sought to win their
loyalty to himself (2 Samuel 2:4). Robinson (Biblical Researches, III, 39 ...
/j/jabesh-gilead.htm - 13k

Win (27 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To gain over to one's side or party; to obtain the favor, friendship, or
support of; to render friendly or approving; as, to win an enemy; to win a jury ...
/w/win.htm - 14k

Ministers (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,
in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (KJV ASV DBY ...
/m/ministers.htm - 21k

Approveth (2 Occurrences)

/a/approveth.htm - 6k

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