The term "oughtest" is an archaic English word that appears in older translations of the Bible, conveying a sense of duty, obligation, or moral necessity. It is derived from the verb "ought," which implies what is required or expected according to moral or divine law. In the context of Scripture, "oughtest" often reflects the ethical and spiritual responsibilities of believers.

Biblical Usage and Context

The concept of "oughtest" is closely tied to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, emphasizing the moral imperatives that guide Christian conduct. While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "oughtest," the underlying principles are evident in various passages that discuss what believers are expected to do.

1. Moral and Ethical Duty: The Bible frequently addresses the duties of believers to live righteously and uphold God's commandments. In Micah 6:8 , the prophet summarizes what the Lord requires: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the essence of what one "ought" to do in the sight of God.

2. Love and Forgiveness: Jesus' teachings often highlight the necessity of love and forgiveness as central duties of the Christian life. In Matthew 18:21-22 , Jesus instructs Peter on the extent of forgiveness: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!'" This passage underscores the obligation to forgive as an essential aspect of Christian love.

3. Prayer and Worship: The duty of prayer is another area where the concept of "oughtest" is relevant. In Luke 18:1 , Jesus teaches about the necessity of persistent prayer: "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart." This instruction highlights the believer's obligation to maintain a consistent prayer life.

4. Faith and Works: The relationship between faith and works is a recurring theme in the New Testament, emphasizing what believers "ought" to do as a demonstration of their faith. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This verse illustrates the expectation that genuine faith will manifest in righteous deeds.

5. Community and Fellowship: The early church provides a model for the communal responsibilities of believers. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christians: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This passage reflects the duty of believers to engage in community life and support one another.

Theological Implications

The concept of "oughtest" in Scripture is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's moral law and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to live in a manner worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1), reflecting the character of Christ in their actions and decisions. The sense of obligation is not merely legalistic but is motivated by love for God and neighbor, as encapsulated in the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).

In summary, while the specific term "oughtest" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, the principles it represents are integral to the Christian life, guiding believers in their pursuit of holiness and obedience to God's will.

The Soul is not to be Disquieted, that is Sees it Self Encompassed ...
... to ground and settle it in vertue; and these are happy, because they enlighten it,
fortifie it, and cause greater light therein, so that thou oughtest not to ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap vi the soul is.htm

Treateth of the Same Point.
... At all times therefore thou oughtest, when thou seest thy self in fault, with out
losing time, or making discourses upon the failing, to drive away vain Fear ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xviii treateth of the.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... Since then thou hast heard the Gospel speaking concerning Judas, oughtest
thou not to receive the testimony to it? Thou hast heard ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Moreover, it is a Good Thing to Use the Tongue Sparingly...
... fail of performance. And thou oughtest by all means to avoid the flood
of base words, seeing that God will hear them. For the man ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter v moreover it is.htm

Argument. --That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Truly Man, as ...
... For thou oughtest to have hated the imitation of a body, if thou hatedst the reality;
because, if thou art something else, thou oughtest to have come as ...
/.../chapter x argument that jesus christ.htm

What the Soul Ought to do in Internal Recollection.
... Thou oughtest to go to Prayer, that thou mayest deliver thy self wholly up into
the hands of God, with perfect resignation, exerting an act of Faith, believing ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xiii what the soul.htm

That the Grace of God Doth not Join Itself to those who Mind ...
... consolations. Therefore thou oughtest to cast away all things which hinder
grace, if thou longest to receive the inpouring thereof. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liii that the grace.htm

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
... nay even an unprofitable thing; difficult indeed, because I am unworthy of having
a revelation made to me; but unprofitable, because thou oughtest not to ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxv to gregoria.htm

Of the Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
... I am the Way which thou oughtest to follow; the Truth which thou oughtest
to believe; the Life which thou oughtest to hope for. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter lv of the corruption.htm

Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross
... 12. If thou settest thyself to that thou oughtest, namely, to suffer and to die,
it shall soon go better with thee, and thou shalt find peace. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii of the royal.htm

Oughtest (4 Occurrences)
...Oughtest (4 Occurrences). ... Acts 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house
is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (KJV WBS). ...
/o/oughtest.htm - 7k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and
then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (KJV). ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Our (13201 Occurrences)

/o/our.htm - 7k

Lodgeth (13 Occurrences)
... Lodgeth (13 Occurrences). Acts 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house
is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. ...
/l/lodgeth.htm - 9k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

Exchangers (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and
then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (KJV WBS). ...
/e/exchangers.htm - 7k

Money-changers (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:27 thou oughtest then to have put my money to the money-changers, and
when I came I should have got what is mine with interest. (DBY). ...
/m/money-changers.htm - 9k

Banking
... (2) The language of Matthew 25:27, `Thou oughtest to have put my money to the bankers,'
etc., would seem to indicate the recognition by Christ of the custom ...
/b/banking.htm - 13k

Sea-side (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the
sea-side: he will tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (WBS). ...
/s/sea-side.htm - 8k

Hoar (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 2:9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest
what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to ...
/h/hoar.htm - 8k

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