In the context of the Bible, the term "unacceptable" refers to actions, offerings, or behaviors that are not pleasing or approved by God. The concept of what is unacceptable is deeply rooted in the moral and spiritual standards set forth in Scripture. These standards are often tied to God's holiness, righteousness, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of what is unacceptable is frequently associated with offerings and sacrifices. God provided specific instructions on how offerings were to be made, and deviations from these instructions rendered the offerings unacceptable. For example, in Leviticus 22:20, God commands, "You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf." This underscores the importance of purity and perfection in offerings, symbolizing the holiness required by God.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to the issue of unacceptable worship and behavior. In Isaiah 1:13-14, God expresses His disdain for the empty rituals of the Israelites: "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly." Here, the unacceptable nature of their worship is tied to the insincerity and sinfulness of their hearts.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of unacceptable behavior is expanded to include moral and ethical conduct. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addresses behaviors that are unacceptable for believers. In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts, "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 transformation is necessary to discern and avoid what is unacceptable in God's sight.

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of faith and love in making one's actions acceptable to God. In Hebrews 11:6, it is stated, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is a crucial component in ensuring that one's life and actions are acceptable to God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible provides numerous examples of behaviors that are deemed unacceptable, including idolatry, immorality, and injustice. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists the "acts of the flesh" which are unacceptable: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Spiritual Worship and Acceptability

True worship, according to the Bible, is characterized by sincerity, obedience, and a heart aligned with God's will. Jesus, in John 4:23-24, speaks of the kind of worship that is acceptable to God: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Conclusion

The biblical concept of what is unacceptable serves as a guide for believers to live lives that are pleasing to God. It calls for a heart and life transformed by faith, characterized by obedience, sincerity, and alignment with God's will.(a.) Not acceptable; not pleasing; not welcome; unpleasant; disagreeable; displeasing; offensive.3358. metron -- a measure
... 3358 ("standard, measure") is the controlling basis by which something is determined
as acceptable or unacceptable -- rooting to as His being is the only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3358.htm - 7k

4509. rhupos -- filth
... grease-filth," soiling all it touches; (figuratively) uncleanness that results from
doing what is morally unfit, ie what is unacceptable because (morally) (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4509.htm - 6k

First Sunday after Epiphany
... Properly, then, their efforts may be regarded a carnal sacrifice of their bodies,
unacceptable to God and most acceptable to the devil. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

The Yoke of Christ.
... In all these passages, one and the same character is described acceptable to God,
unacceptable to man; unacceptable to man both in itself, and because it ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

Introduction
... But if he can be stirred up to search further into the matter for himself, he will
find a list of authorities ancient and modern come not unacceptable to begin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/introduction.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... sense and recognition of such connection, the mediation of forgiveness through the
death of Christ can only appear an arbitrary, irrational, unacceptable idea. ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... sense and recognition of such connection, the mediation of forgiveness through the
death of Christ can only appear an arbitrary, irrational, unacceptable idea. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm

Metrophanes of Smyrna.
... It would be impossible, without wearying the reader, to translate the whole of one
of the Triadic Canons; but a Cento from one of them may not be unacceptable. ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/metrophanes of smyrna.htm

Of Charity, as it is the Same with Purity of Intention...
... His sake. So that whatsoever other end we propose which is not subordinate
to this makes the action so far unacceptable to Him. 2 ...
/.../chapter iv of charity as.htm

The Nature of Enthusiasm
... It may be, therefore, not unacceptable to serious men, to all who desire to understand
what they speak or hear, if I endeavour to explain the meaning of this ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 37 the nature of.htm

Valerian and the Persecution under Him.
... And he induced him to practice initiations and abominable sorceries and to offer
unacceptable sacrifices; to slay innumerable children and to sacrifice the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x valerian and the persecution.htm

That by the Bishop of Carthage, when There Shall be Need, Letters ...
... Wherefore I beg your charity to believe that our coming to you is neither superfluous,
nor unacceptable to all; and that the consent of all of us may make it ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxxxv greek lxxxviii that.htm

Unacceptable (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not acceptable; not pleasing; not welcome; unpleasant; disagreeable; displeasing;
offensive. Multi-Version Concordance Unacceptable (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unacceptable.htm - 7k

Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:8 If she is unacceptable in the eyes of her master, who had taken her
for himself, then shall he let her be ransomed: to sell her unto a foreign ...
/u/unfaithfully.htm - 12k

Unaccompanied (2 Occurrences)

/u/unaccompanied.htm - 7k

Ungrateful (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Unpleasing; unacceptable; disagreeable; as, harsh sounds are ungrateful
to the ear. Multi-Version Concordance Ungrateful (2 Occurrences). ...
/u/ungrateful.htm - 7k

Unabsolved (1 Occurrence)

/u/unabsolved.htm - 6k

Ungracious (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Having no grace; graceless; wicked. 3. (a.) Not well received; offensive;
unpleasing; unacceptable; not favored. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/u/ungracious.htm - 7k

Thankless (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Not obtaining or deserving thanks; unacceptable; as, a thankless
task. Multi-Version Concordance Thankless (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/thankless.htm - 7k

Ransomed (27 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:8 If she is unacceptable in the eyes of her master, who had taken her
for himself, then shall he let her be ransomed: to sell her unto a foreign ...
/r/ransomed.htm - 15k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... Cain's heart was no longer pure; it had a criminal propensity, springing from envy
and jealousy, which rendered both his offering and person unacceptable. ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Heavens (548 Occurrences)
... 4. Antiquity of Cosmical Conception While this theory in the form presented is unproven
and unacceptable, it deserves credit for having focused attention on ...
/h/heavens.htm - 49k

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