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Showing posts with label Christian conduct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian conduct. Show all posts

Monday, April 3, 2023

04-04 - Romans 13:13 - Let Us Walk Honestly

Romans 13:13 - Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. -- King James Version.

Romans 13: 13 - Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. -- American Standard Version.

The Greek word translated as "honestly" in the King James version is transliterated as euschēmonōs. This is Strong's Greek #2156. Some translations render this word as "becomingly", "decorously", or "decently", or somthing similar.  According to HELPS Word-Studies, this word is from Strong's #2158, "eusxēmōn, which is literally 'having good form'... i.e. what is respectable, honorable (modest, noble). The precise nuance of having 'good form' is only determined by the context". 

Paul is obviously referring to the Christian's conduct, which would certainly include honesty. But it includes more than just honesty, as reflected by the context. We are to walk as in the day. The "day" could be referring to the coming day, the age to come, as spoken of in Hebrews 6:4,5. The new creature in Christ is counted as already in that time of the new heavens and new earth, as though the present heavens and earth had already passed away. (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5) Thus, the righteousness of that age should be seen in the conduct of the child of God in this age. 



Thursday, March 4, 2021

03-05 - Philippians 4:8 - Moral Excellence, Praise

{Philippians 4:8} Finally, brothers, ... if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise, think about these things. -- RLIV.

The Greek word rendered above as "moral excellence" can refer to valor. Many translations render as "virtue." As applied to the Christian's thoughts, it should not be understood as simply abstaining from evil thoughts, but also of thinking on all the principles of right conduct in God's sight. 

Of course, one who belongs to Christ should not be thinking of seeking praise for himself, but at the same time, should be seeking to ponder any elements of character that are praiseworthy in harmony with the righteous principles given in the Bible.

Nevertheless, it is our mind, our thoughts within ourselves that determines who we really are. One may have an outward appearance of love and caring, but the outward appearance may not be what is in the heart. (Proverbs 23:7) We should be always be striving to control our thoughts to harmonize with love for God and Christ, for fellow believers, and for neighbor, which basically means to bring our thoughts in harmony with the admonition given by the apostle Paul. It is by our thoughts that these characteristics truly become our own, and our thoughts then produce the righteous qualities in action.

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