Criminality, as understood in the biblical context, refers to actions and behaviors that transgress divine law and societal norms, resulting in moral and legal culpability. The Bible addresses criminality through various laws, narratives, and teachings, emphasizing the importance of justice, repentance, and redemption.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, criminality is often addressed through the Mosaic Law, which provides a comprehensive legal code for the Israelites. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational moral guide, prohibiting acts such as murder, theft, and bearing false witness. These commandments underscore the sanctity of life, property, and truth.

The Law of Moses prescribes specific penalties for various crimes, reflecting the principle of retributive justice. For instance, Exodus 21:23-25 states, "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." This lex talionis principle aims to ensure that punishment is proportionate to the offense.

Criminality is also depicted in narrative form, illustrating the consequences of sin and disobedience. The account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16) highlights the destructive nature of jealousy and murder, while the account of Achan (Joshua 7) demonstrates the communal impact of individual transgression.

New Testament Context

The New Testament shifts the focus from legalistic adherence to the law to the transformation of the heart through Christ. Jesus Christ emphasizes the spirit of the law, teaching that sin begins in the heart and mind. In Matthew 5:21-22, He expands on the commandment against murder, stating, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."

The New Testament also addresses the role of civil authorities in maintaining order and justice. Romans 13:1-4 instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing them as God's servants to execute justice: "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have his approval."

Repentance and Redemption

The Bible consistently offers a path to redemption for those who have committed crimes. Repentance is a central theme, as seen in the account of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), where a wayward son returns to his father, seeking forgiveness and restoration. This parable illustrates God's readiness to forgive and restore those who turn away from sin.

The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, exemplifies the transformative power of God's grace. After his conversion, Paul becomes a fervent advocate for the Gospel, demonstrating that even those with a history of criminality can be redeemed and used for God's purposes.

Moral and Ethical Teachings

The Bible's teachings on criminality extend beyond legalistic concerns to encompass broader moral and ethical principles. Believers are called to uphold justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The pursuit of justice is not merely punitive but restorative, aiming to reconcile individuals with God and their communities.

In summary, the biblical perspective on criminality encompasses a comprehensive view of justice, emphasizing the need for both accountability and grace. Through the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to seek justice, love mercy, and walk in the light of God's truth.(n.) The quality or state of being criminal; that which constitutes a crime; guiltiness; guilt.158. aition -- cause, fault.
... of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: aition Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-tee-on)
Short Definition: cause, crime Definition: cause, crime, guilt, criminality. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/158.htm - 6k

Acts III
... Your criminality is heightened by the fact, that when even a heathen judge declared
him innocent, and desired to release him to you, you rejected him. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... By pretext and presence, apology and self-vindication, they acquit themselves of
all criminality, and put a fine gloss upon every foul delinquency. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... By pretext and presence, apology and self-vindication, they acquit themselves of
all criminality and put a fine gloss upon every foul delinquency. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two coverings and two consequences.htm

No Difference
... But even whilst we have to insist upon that, that the teaching of my text is not
of an absolute identity of criminality, but only an universal participation in ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/no difference.htm

Of the Affections, and the Refutation of the Opinion of the ...
... from without; nor was it befitting that these themselves should be restrained; since
they may exist in a small degree with the greatest criminality, and in the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi of the affections and.htm

Presumptuous Sins
... grievous sinful thing, yet there are some transgressions which have a deeper shade
of blackness, and a more double scarlet-dyed hue of criminality than others. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/presumptuous sins.htm

Secret Faults
... thank God! ignorance diminishes criminality, but ignorance does not alter
the nature of the deed. Take a simple illustration. Here ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/secret faults.htm

'That which was Lost'
... There is much that in itself is wrong and undesirable, the criminality of which
is diminished by the fact that it was heedlessly done, though the heedlessness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/that which was lost.htm

Its Nature
... unto God: first, he was a responsible creature, born under the law; second, he was
a criminal, having transgressed that law"though his criminality has not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm

This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East ...
... He would, you may well think, have been the complete exemplar of wickedness and
criminality of this kind, if you had not had before you the image of that woman ...
/.../18 this is the chief.htm

Criminality (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The quality or state of being criminal; that which constitutes a crime; guiltiness;
guilt. Multi-Version Concordance Criminality (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/criminality.htm - 6k

Guilt (180 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The criminality and consequent exposure to punishment resulting from willful
disobedience of law, or from morally wrong action; the state of one who ...
/g/guilt.htm - 46k

Wickedness (232 Occurrences)
... The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth,
honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. ...
/w/wickedness.htm - 39k

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)
... as doing or making evil, the latter as creating or originating the bad, and hence,
designates the more energetic, aggressive, initiating type of criminality. ...
/m/malefactor.htm - 49k

Criminals (4 Occurrences)

/c/criminals.htm - 7k

Criminal (4 Occurrences)

/c/criminal.htm - 7k

Borne (172 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:14 But as Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If
indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality, O Jews, of reason I should have ...
/b/borne.htm - 38k

Accountability
... Even criminality is excused on the ground that many have never had a chance of virtue,
and it is contended that to know everything is to forgive everything. ...
/a/accountability.htm - 14k

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