Reference: Ethics
Hastings
The present article will be confined to Biblical Ethics. As there is no systematic presentation of the subject, all that can be done is to gather from the Jewish and Christian writings the moral conceptions that were formed by historians, prophets, poets, apostles. The old history culminates in the story of the perfect One, the Lord Jesus Christ, from whom there issued a life of higher order and ampler range.
I. OT Ethics.
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Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. And having fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungry. read more. And the tempter coming to him said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answering said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him with him into the holy city, and setteth him on the battlement of the temple, And saith to him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, He shall charge his angels concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil taketh him with him to an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, And saith to him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then Jesus saith to him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and waited upon him.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain; and when he was set down his disciples came to him.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain; and when he was set down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them,
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, Happy are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
saying, Happy are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Happy are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Happy are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Happy are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Happy are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be satisfied.
Happy are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be satisfied. Happy are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Happy are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Happy are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Happy are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Happy are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Happy are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. read more. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is situated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do they light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Ye have heard, that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt do no murder, and whosoever doth murder, shall be liable to the judgment.
Ye have heard, that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt do no murder, and whosoever doth murder, shall be liable to the judgment. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be liable to the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be liable to hell-fire. read more. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember, that thy brother hath ought against thee, Leaving thy gift there before the altar, go; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Ye have heard, that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, that ye resist not the evil man: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right-cheek, turn to him the other also;
Take heed that ye practise not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
That thy alms may be in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Therefore whosoever heareth these my sayings, and doth them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell not; for it was founded on a rock. read more. But every one that heareth these my sayings, and doth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
For which is easier? To say, Thy sins are forgiven thee? Or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the paralytic) Arise, take up thy couch, and go to thy house.
He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. read more. He that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it. He that entertaineth you, entertaineth me;
Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
Ye brood of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
For verily I say to you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Whereby was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hid from the foundation of the world.
Then saith he to them, Therefore every scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like an housholder, who bringeth out of his treasure things new and old.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a king, who was minded to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. read more. And as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. Then the servant falling prostrate at his feet, said, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, moved with tender compassion, loosed him and forgave him the debt. But that servant going out, found one of his fellow-servants who owed him an hundred pence, and seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant falling at his feet, besought him saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. But his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very sorry, and came and gave their lord an exact account of the whole matter. Then his lord calling him, said to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou intreatedst me. Should'st not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, as I had pity on thee? And his lord being wroth, delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
But all their works they do, to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and inlarge the fringes of their garments.
Wo to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; for ye are like whited sepulchres, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness.
Then shall he say also to them on his left-hand, Depart from me, ye cursed into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: read more. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not micister to thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it oot to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
And the scribes and Pharisees seeing him eat with publicans and sinners, said to his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And Jesus hearing it saith to them- They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
No man seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filleth it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old leathern-bottles; else the new wine bursteth the bottles, and the wine is spilt, and the bottles are lost; but new wine must be put into new bottles.
And they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, unwashen hands. Now the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands to the wrist, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. read more. And coming from the market, unless they wash, they eat not: and many other things there are which they have received to hold, the washings of cups and pots and brasen vessels and couches. Then the Pharisees ask him, Why walk not thy disciples, according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands? He answering said to them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For leaving the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
And he saith to them, Are even ye so without understanding? Do ye not perceive, That whatsoever entereth into a man from without, cannot defile him, Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth into the vault, purging all meats. read more. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
For from within, out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, envy, evil speaking, pride, foolishness.
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, envy, evil speaking, pride, foolishness. All these evils come from within, and defile the man.
And the Pharisees coming asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? Tempting him. And he answering said to them, What did Moses command you? read more. They said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away. And Jesus answering said to them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife: And they twain shall be one flesh; so then they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
And they coming say to him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it. read more. And he saith, Whose is this image and superscription? They say to him, Cesar's. And Jesus answering said to them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
Now when the sun was set, all that had any sick of divers diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And the dead man sat up, and began to speak: and he delivered him to his mother.
Wherefore I say to thee, Those many sins of her's are forgiven; therefore she loved much: but he to whom little is forgiven, loveth little.
And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, Suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Wo to thee, Chorazin, wo to thee Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which have been done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. read more. And thou, Capernaum, which hast been exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that rejecteth you, rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me, rejecteth him that sent me.
And behold, a certain scribe stood up, and trying him, said, Master, what shall I do, to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? read more. How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said to him, Thou hast answered right: this do and thou shalt live. But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who having stripped and wounded him departed, leaving him half dead. And it came to pass that a certain priest came down that way, and seeing him, passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan journeying, came where he was, and seeing him, was moved with tender compassion, And going to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow departing, he took out two pieces of money, and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, as I come back I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was the neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go and do thou likewise.
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Who of you, having an hundred sheep, and losing one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, till he find it? And having found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing. read more. And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say to you, Thus joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who do not need repentance.
And he said to them, Ye are they who justify yourselves before men: but God knoweth your hearts: And that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination before God.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted splendidly every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores; read more. and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table: yea, the dogs also came and licked his sores. And the beggar died and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried: And in hell lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember, that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is a great gulph fixed; so that they who would pass from us to you, cannot, neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee, therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded tho' one rose from the dead.
Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed thus, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. read more. I fast twice in the week: I give tythes of all that I possess. And the publican standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken any thing from any man wrongfully, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said to him, To day is salvation come to this house; forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me, when thou comest in thy kingdom.
And all the people who had come together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, returned, smiting their breasts.
All things were made by him, and without him was not one single thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
but grace and truth was by Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, may not perish, but have everlasting life.
He that believeth on him, is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such worshipers.
Therefore I said, Ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not, that I am, ye shall die in your sins.
If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye will be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's offspring:
Which of you convicteth me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me?
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine;
Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am.
A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, ye may be also.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more: but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every one that beareth fruit, he purifieth it, that it may bear more fruit. read more. Now ye are pure thro' the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can ye, unless ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, he beareth much fruit; but, separate from me, ye can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he is cast out as a branch, and is withered: and they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done for you. Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Abide ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no other did, they had not had sin: read more. but now have they seen them, and yet hated both me and my Father.
yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think he doth God service.
And he coming will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
And he coming will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me;
I have spoken these things to you, that ye may have peace in me. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but take courage: I have overcome the world.
I have glorified thee on earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Father, I will that these also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
They then, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned toward Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. And an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south by the way leading down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. read more. And he arose and went. And lo an Ethiopian, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip running to him, heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, unless some one guide me? And he desired Philip to come up, and sit with him. The portion of scripture which he was reading, was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answering Philip, said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. And as they went on the way, they came to a certain water. And the eunuch said, Behold water: what hindereth me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayst. And he answering said, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and falling down at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter raised him up saying, Arise: I myself also am a man.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
For he is not a Jew, who is one in outward shew, neither is that circumcision which is apparent in the flesh. But he is a Jew, who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have been introduced through faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Now one will scarce die for a just man: yet perhaps for the good man one would even dare to die. But God recommendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath freed me from the law of sin and death.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if the Spirit of God dwell in you. And if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated, conformable to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
Nay, in all these things we more than conquer, through him who hath loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, read more. nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers, for there is no power but from God; the powers that be, are appointed by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the appointment of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. read more. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wouldest thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it; for he is the servant of God to thee for good. But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the servant of God, an avenger for wrath against him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Who art thou that judgest another's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be upheld; for God is able to establish him.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive according to what he hath done in the body, whether good or evil.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, enmities, contentions, read more. emulations, wraths, strifes, divisions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you before (as I have also told you in time past) that they who practise such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity, Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.
Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in any fault, ye who are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
For every man shall bear his own burden.
And he hath quickened you, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Wherein ye formerly walked, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in time past, read more. in the desires of the flesh, doing the will of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the others. But God who is rich in mercy, through his great love wherewith he loved us, Hath quickened us together with Christ, even when we were dead in trespasses, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places through Christ Jesus: That he might shew in the ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
having broken down the middle wall of partition, Having abolished by his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments, through his decrees, that he might make the two one new man in himself, so making peace:
Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as unto the Lord.
And ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatning, knowing that your master is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
This also is of God. For to you it is given, with regard to Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God that worketh in you according to his good pleasure, both to will and to do.
Yea doubtless, and I account all things to be loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do account them but dung, that I may gain Christ, And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: read more. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death: If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected: but I pursue, if I may apprehend that, for which I was also apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not account myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do, forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man, that we may present every man perfect through Christ Jesus.
If ye then are risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ sitteth at the right-hand of God. Set your affections on the things above, not the things on the earth. read more. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In which ye also once walked, when ye lived in them. But now put ye also all these things off, anger, wrath, ill-nature, evil speaking, filthy discourse out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds,
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. read more. And above all these put on love, which is the bond of perfection: And the peace of God shall rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart unto the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands (as is fit) in the Lord.
Masters, give your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.
receive him,) And Jesus, called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these are the only fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine, That the aged men be vigilant, serious, prudent, sound in faith, love, patience:
Teaching us, that, having renounced ungodliness and all wordly desires, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world,
Teaching us, that, having renounced ungodliness and all wordly desires, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world, Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. read more. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, which began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that had heard him?
For both he that sanctifieth, and all they that are sanctified, are of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. read more. And again, I will put my trust in him: And again, Behold I and the children whom God hath given me. Since then the children partake of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: And deliver them, as many as through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage. For verily he taketh not hold of angels, but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham. Wherefore it behoved him to be made in all things like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest, in things pertaining to God, to expiate the sins of the people. For in that he hath suffered, being tempted himself, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
let us hold fast our profession, For we have not an high-priest who cannot sympathize with our infirmities, but who was in all points tempted like as we are: yet without sin.
For it is impossible for those who were once inlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, read more. And have fallen away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God. But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected and nigh unto a curse, whose end is to be burned.
Having the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant, overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot having the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant:
For when we sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But call ye to mind the former days, in which, after ye were inlightened, ye endured so great a conflict of sufferings: Partly being made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; partly being partakers with them who were so used. read more. For ye sympathized with my bonds, and received with joy the spoiling of your goods, knowing that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
But to do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
James a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspoted from the world.
For this very reason giving all diligence, add to your faith courage,
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and every one who loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh will I give of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which none knoweth, but he that receiveth it.
He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
And shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads.
And it was I John, who heard and saw these things; and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who shewed me these things. But he saith to me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them who keep the sayings of this book; worship God.