Topical Encyclopedia The term "moral" in a biblical context refers to principles or standards of behavior that are considered right or acceptable according to Scripture. Morality in the Bible is deeply rooted in the character of God and His commandments, serving as a guide for human conduct.Biblical Foundation of Morality The foundation of biblical morality is established in the character of God, who is holy, just, and loving. The Bible presents God as the ultimate standard of what is right and wrong. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." This call to holiness is a call to moral living, reflecting God's own nature. The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, are a central element of biblical morality. They provide a concise summary of God's moral law, covering duties to God and to fellow humans. For example, the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) underscores the sanctity of human life, while "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14) emphasizes the importance of marital fidelity. The Greatest Commandments Jesus Christ distilled the essence of the moral law in the New Testament. When asked about the greatest commandment, He replied, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (Matthew 22:37-39). These commandments encapsulate the moral duty to love God and others, forming the basis for all ethical behavior. The Role of Conscience The Bible acknowledges the role of conscience in moral decision-making. Romans 2:14-15 states, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." This passage suggests that God has instilled a sense of right and wrong within every person. Moral Teachings of Jesus Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provide profound insights into biblical morality. He emphasizes internal righteousness over mere external compliance with the law. For instance, He teaches that anger and lust are morally equivalent to murder and adultery, respectively, highlighting the importance of inner purity (Matthew 5:21-28). The Fruit of the Spirit The Apostle Paul describes the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are moral qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates in believers, reflecting the moral character of Christ. Moral Responsibility and Accountability The Bible teaches that individuals are morally responsible for their actions and will be held accountable by God. Ecclesiastes 12:14 states, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This underscores the importance of living a moral life in accordance with God's standards. Conclusion While the Bible provides a comprehensive framework for morality, it also acknowledges human fallibility and the need for divine grace. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are empowered to live morally upright lives, guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules.2. (a.) Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life. 3. (a.) Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty. 4. (a.) Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support. 5. (a.) Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; -- opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty. 6. (a.) Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales. 7. (n.) The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; -- usually in the plural. 8. (n.) The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim. 9. (n.) A morality play. See Morality, 5. Greek 703. arete -- moral goodness, ie virtue ... moral goodness, ie virtue. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: arete Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay) Short Definition: virtue, moral excellence ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/703.htm - 6k 1771. ennoia -- thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding 4507. rhuparia -- to make filthy 4696. spilos -- a spot, stain 2239. ethos -- custom 4893. suneidesis -- consciousness, spec. conscience 1659. eleutheroo -- to make free, fig. to exempt (from liability) 5428. phronesis -- understanding, practical wisdom 1657. eleutheria -- liberty, freedom 5046. teleios -- having reached its end, ie complete, by ext. ... Strong's Hebrew 2643. chaph -- clean... innocent. From chophaph (in the moral sense of covered from soil); pure -- innocent. see HEBREW chophaph. 2642, 2643. chaph. 2644 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/2643.htm - 6k 5766. evel -- injustice, unrighteousness 6664. tsedeq -- rightness, righteousness 2610. chaneph -- to be polluted or profane 2893. tahorah -- purifying, cleansing 7691. shegiah -- error 6601. pathah -- to be spacious, wide or open 7562. resha -- wickedness 5079. niddah -- impurity 2930. tame -- to be or become unclean Library Divine and Moral Songs Whether the Mean of Moral virtue is the Real Mean, or the Rational ... Whether all the Moral virtues are About the Passions? Moral Insanity. Moral Characteristics. Moral Timidity Whether the Moral virtues are Better than the Intellectual virtues ... Whether the Moral virtues Pertain to the Contemplative Life? Whether Moral virtue is a Passion? Of Moral virtue in Relation to the Passions (Five Articles) Thesaurus Moral (5 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes ... /m/moral.htm - 9k Evil (1503 Occurrences) Virtue (21 Occurrences) Righteousness (442 Occurrences) Morality Apostate (5 Occurrences) Know (8133 Occurrences) Knowledge Filth (21 Occurrences) Filthy (22 Occurrences) Resources Is God a moral monster? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is moral government theology? | GotQuestions.org What is moral theology? | GotQuestions.org Moral: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Moral (5 Occurrences)Ephesians 4:18 James 1:21 2 Peter 1:5 Job 11:15 Habakkuk 2:6 Subtopics Related Terms Righteousness (442 Occurrences) |
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