In the context of the Bible, the term "private" can refer to matters that are personal, confidential, or not meant for public knowledge. The concept of privacy is evident in various aspects of biblical teaching, emphasizing the importance of discretion, personal integrity, and the sanctity of one's inner life.

Privacy in Prayer and Worship

Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of privacy in prayer, teaching His followers to seek solitude when communicating with God. In Matthew 6:6 , Jesus instructs, "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This directive underscores the value of a personal and intimate relationship with God, free from the distractions and potential hypocrisy of public display.

Confidentiality and Discretion

The Bible also highlights the importance of discretion and confidentiality in interpersonal relationships. Proverbs 11:13 states, "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence." This proverb underscores the moral responsibility to respect the privacy of others and to guard sensitive information, promoting trust and integrity within the community.

Private Matters and Accountability

While the Bible values privacy, it also teaches that private actions are subject to divine scrutiny. Ecclesiastes 12:14 declares, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This verse serves as a reminder that God is aware of all actions, regardless of their public or private nature, and that individuals are accountable to Him for their conduct.

Private Life and Public Witness

The New Testament encourages believers to maintain a private life that aligns with their public testimony. In 1 Peter 3:16 , Christians are urged to "maintain a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ." This exhortation highlights the importance of consistency between one's private life and public witness, ensuring that personal conduct reflects the values and teachings of the faith.

Private Devotion and Spiritual Growth

Private devotion is a key aspect of spiritual growth in the Christian life. The practice of personal Bible study, meditation, and prayer is essential for deepening one's relationship with God and understanding His will. Psalm 119:11 expresses the value of internalizing God's Word: "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." This verse illustrates the transformative power of private devotion in shaping character and guiding moral decisions.

In summary, the concept of "private" in the Bible encompasses the importance of personal integrity, discretion, and a sincere relationship with God. It calls for a balance between respecting the privacy of others and living a life that is transparent before God, who sees and knows all things.1. (a.) Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.

2. (a.) Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.

3. (a.) Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life.

4. (a.) Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.

5. (a.) Having secret or private knowledge; privy.

6. (n.) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.

7. (n.) Personal interest; particular business.

8. (n.) Privacy; retirement.

9. (n.) One not invested with a public office.

10. (n.) A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer.

11. (n.) The private parts; the genitals.

2399. idiotes -- a private or unskilled person
... a private or unskilled person. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
idiotes Phonetic Spelling: (id-ee-o'-tace) Short Definition: an amateur, layman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2399.htm - 7k

2398. idios -- one's own, distinct
... one's own, distinct. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: idios Phonetic Spelling:
(id'-ee-os) Short Definition: one's own, private, personal Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2398.htm - 8k

2651. katamonas -- alone.
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: katamonas Phonetic Spelling: (kat-am-on'-
as) Short Definition: alone, apart, in private Definition: along, apart, in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2651.htm - 6k

4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... From sphragis; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation
(literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4972.htm - 8k

2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... inasmuch* (2), individually* (1), just (2), like (4), more (1), motives (1), natural*
(1), off (2), one* (2), outwardly* (1), over (3), private* (1), privately ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas penes properly
means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

2927. kruptos -- hidden
... hidden, inward, secret. From krupto; concealed, ie Private -- hid(-den),
inward(-ly), secret. see GREEK krupto. (krupta) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2927.htm - 6k

5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be
... to be NASB Word Usage been (2), being (9), belonging (1), exist (1), existed (1),
gone (1), live (1), owned (1), possess (1), possessions (11), private means (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5225.htm - 8k

3067. loutron -- a washing, a bath
... washing, washing. Cognate: 3067 -- properly, a bath, public or private (both
were very common in NT times). See 3068 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3067.htm - 6k

3441. monos -- alone
... word Definition alone NASB Word Usage alone (31), even (1), just (2), mere (1),
merely (2), only (18), only one (1), only thing (1), private (1), themselves* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3441.htm - 7k

4016. mabush -- private parts, genitalia
... 4015, 4016. mabush or mabush. 4017 . private parts, genitalia. Transliteration:
mabush or mabush Phonetic Spelling: (maw-boosh') Short Definition: genitals ...
/hebrew/4016.htm - 6k

7873. sig -- pursuing
... Word Origin the same as sig, qv. pursuing From suwg; a withdrawal (into a private
place) -- pursuing. see HEBREW suwg. 7872, 7873. sig. 7874 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7873.htm - 5k

3908. lachash -- a whispering, charming
... From lachash; properly, a whisper, ie By implication, (in a good sense) a private
prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet -- charmed ...
/hebrew/3908.htm - 6k

5959. almah -- a young woman, a virgin
... damsel, maid, virgin. Feminine of elem; a lass (as veiled or private) -- damsel,
maid, virgin. see HEBREW elem. 5958, 5959. almah. 5960 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5959.htm - 6k

4370. miknas -- an undergarment
... breeches. From kamac in the sense of hiding; (only in dual) drawers (from concealing
the private parts) -- breeches. see HEBREW kamac. 4369, 4370. ...
/hebrew/4370.htm - 6k

Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion
Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion. <. Book of Hymns
for Public and Private Devotion Various. Produced by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/

Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life
Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life. <. Private Thoughts Upon a Christian
Life William Beveridge. Table of Contents. Title Page. THE PREFACE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/

Of a Private Fast.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. I. Of a Private Fast. That we may rightly perform ...
4:16.). 3. Of the Manner of a Private Fast. The true manner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

A Private Enquiry
... A Private Enquiry. A Sermon ... I am sure that what is wanted with our religious reading
is time for private thought. We put into the mill more than it grinds. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a private enquiry.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram (Private)
... To the Rev. A. Brandram (Private). (Endorsed: recd. ... I call this letter private, but
communicate such parts of it as you think proper. (UNSIGNED.). ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 63.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Private Individual to Kill a Man who ...
... OF MURDER (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful for a private individual
to kill a man who has sinned? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 2.htm

The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus
... The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus. A Sermon (No.2212). Intended for Reading
on Lord's-Day, July 12th, 1891,. Delivered by. ... The conversation was private. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the private thoughts and words.htm

Look at that which the Private Christian is to do to his Neighbor. ...
... Address 190: Look at that which the private Christian is to do to his
neighbor? Look at that which the private Christian is to ...
/.../address 190 0 0 look at that.htm

Private Prayer, and Public Worship.
... VII. PRIVATE PRAYER, AND PUBLIC WORSHIP. "And, as His custom was, He went
into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.""Luke 4:16. "He ...
/.../percival/sermons at rugby/vii private prayer and public.htm

Meditation ix. Private Instruction and Consecrations.
... MEDITATION IX. Private Instruction and Consecrations. ... All that Jesus did upon this
occasion was done in private, and taught equally in private. ...
/.../meditation ix private instruction and.htm

Private (32 Occurrences)
... or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own;
not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private...
/p/private.htm - 17k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Privy (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Assigned to private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse. ... 3.
(a.) Appropriated to retirement; private; not open to the public. ...
/p/privy.htm - 9k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... sis'-tern: Use of Terms 1. General 2. Wells or Cylindrical Cisterns 3. Private Cisterns
4. Public Cisterns 5. Pools and Aqueducts 6. Figurative Uses LITERATURE ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A public transaction done for private profit; something performed ostensibly
as a part of official duty, but really for private gain; a corrupt ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... any kind of levies unnecessary, with the rise of individualism, the prorata setting
aside, for common uses, of certain possessions held as private property by ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... any kind of levies unnecessary, with the rise of individualism, the prorata setting
aside, for common uses, of certain possessions held as private property by ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Privately (29 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a private manner; not openly; without
the presence of others. 2. (adv.) In a manner affecting ...
/p/privately.htm - 15k

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