The term "appropriate" in a biblical context often refers to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that align with God's will and the teachings of Scripture. It encompasses the idea of fittingness, suitability, and propriety in the life of a believer. The Bible provides numerous guidelines on what is considered appropriate for those who seek to live a life pleasing to God.

Appropriate Speech and Conduct

The Bible emphasizes the importance of appropriate speech and conduct. In Ephesians 4:29 , Paul instructs believers, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This verse highlights the need for speech that edifies and encourages others, avoiding language that is harmful or destructive.

Similarly, Colossians 3:17 states, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This passage underscores the principle that all actions and words should be appropriate and reflect the character of Christ.

Appropriate Dress and Modesty

The Bible also addresses the concept of appropriate dress and modesty. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 , Paul writes, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." This instruction is not limited to women but serves as a broader principle for all believers to dress in a manner that reflects modesty and godliness.

Appropriate Worship

Worship is another area where appropriateness is emphasized. John 4:24 declares, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Appropriate worship involves sincerity, truthfulness, and a heart aligned with God's Spirit. It is not merely about external rituals but about an authentic relationship with God.

Appropriate Relationships

The Bible provides guidance on maintaining appropriate relationships. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 , Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This verse advises believers to choose their associations wisely, as relationships can significantly influence one's character and spiritual walk.

Appropriate Use of Resources

Stewardship of resources is another area where appropriateness is key. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , Paul instructs the wealthy "not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This passage highlights the appropriate use of resources for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

Appropriate Response to Authority

The Bible also speaks to the appropriate response to authority. Romans 13:1 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God." This verse calls for respect and submission to authority, recognizing it as part of God's ordained order.

In summary, the concept of "appropriate" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of behaviors and attitudes that align with God's will and reflect His character. Believers are called to live lives marked by appropriateness in speech, conduct, dress, worship, relationships, resource management, and response to authority, all of which contribute to a life that honors God.1. (a.) Suitable for a particular use; fit; proper; as, appropriate language or attire. Hence: Belonging peculiarly; peculiar; suitable;

2. (v. t.) To take to one's self in exclusion of others; to claim or use as by an exclusive right; as, let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.

3. (v. t.) To set apart for, or assign to, a particular person or use, in exclusion of all others; -- with to or for; as, a spot of ground is appropriated for a garden; to appropriate money for the increase of the navy.

4. (v. t.) To make suitable; to suit.

5. (v. t.) To annex, as a benefice, to a spiritual corporation, as its property.

6. (n.) A property; attribute.

1860. epaggelia -- a summons, a promise
... 1860 (a feminine noun comprised of 1909 , "appropriately " and , "announce") --
a which literally "announces what is fitting" (apt, appropriate). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1860.htm - 7k

1893. epei -- when, because
... composed of 1909, ", fitting" and 1487 , "if, which assumes the premise is ") --
properly, aptly if, introducing something to be , ie as appropriate to what is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1893.htm - 7k

1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence
... 1967 (from 1909 , ", fitting" and 3776 , "being, substance") -- properly, aptly
substantive, appropriate to what is "coming on" (happening), ie (apt) for the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1967.htm - 7k

1921. epiginosko -- to know exactly, to recognize
... Both uses of 1921 () work in conjunction with the Greek adverb, 2531 ("to the extent
of)." The "appropriate (apt)" knowledge matches the envisioned "contact ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1921.htm - 10k

1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding
... gentle, moderation, patient. From epi and eiko; appropriate, ie (by implication)
mild -- gentle, moderation, patient. see GREEK epi. see GREEK eiko. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1933.htm - 7k

1598. ekpeirazo -- to test thoroughly, tempt
... tempt") -- properly, test , ie with the of testing to an (unwarranted) degree;
"hyper-test," going to improper measures which exceed appropriate boundaries and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1598.htm - 7k

1867. epaineo -- to praise
... Cognate: 1867 (from 1909 , ", fitting" which intensifies 134 , "to praise") -- to
praise in a fitting (apt) manner, ie as appropriate (adequate) to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1867.htm - 7k

2111. euthetos -- well-placed, ie ready for use
... useful, suitable. From eu and a derivative of tithemi; well placed, ie (figuratively)
appropriate -- fit, meet. see GREEK eu. see GREEK tithemi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2111.htm - 7k

4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... From sun and krino; to judge of one thing in connection with another, ie Combine
(spiritual ideas with appropriate expressions) or collate (one person with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4793.htm - 7k

2271. hesuchia -- stillness
... quiet, stillness") -- quietness, implying calm; for the believer, 2271 () is used
of their which includes an inner tranquility that supports appropriate action ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2271.htm - 7k

1903. hagin -- perhaps appropriate, suitable.
... 1902, 1903. hagin. 1904 . perhaps appropriate, suitable. ... Word Origin from an
unused word Definition perhaps appropriate, suitable. directly ...
/hebrew/1903.htm - 5k

3303. yapheh -- fair, beautiful
... Word Origin from yaphah Definition fair, beautiful NASB Word Usage appropriate
(1), beautiful (28), beautiful one (2), fair (1), fitting (1), handsome (4 ...
/hebrew/3303.htm - 6k

Whether the Rite of this Sacrament is Appropriate?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether the rite of this sacrament is appropriate? Objection
1: It seems that the rite of this sacrament is not appropriate. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rite of this.htm

Whether the Institution of this Sacrament was Appropriate?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the institution
of this sacrament was appropriate? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the institution of this.htm

Our Present Sacred Writings were Soon Distinguished by Appropriate ...
... PART I. SECTION IV. Our present Sacred Writings were soon distinguished
by appropriate names and titles of respect.? Our present ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section iv our present sacred.htm

Whether Isidore's Division of Human Laws is Appropriate?
... OF HUMAN LAW (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Isidore's division of human laws is appropriate? ...
Therefore this division of human laws is not appropriate. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether isidores division of human.htm

Whether Isidore's Description of the Quality of Positive Law is ...
... OF HUMAN LAW (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Isidore's description of the quality
of positive law is appropriate? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether isidores description of the.htm

Whatever Has Been Rightly Said by the Heathen, we must Appropriate ...
... Book II. Chapter 40."Whatever Has Been Rightly Said by the Heathen, We
Must Appropriate to Our Uses. 60. Moreover, if those who ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 40 whatever has been rightly.htm

That Divine and Heavenly Things are Appropriately Revealed, Even ...
... theologians ought, when they have come to the bodily representation of creatures
altogether without body, to represent and display them by appropriate and, as ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput ii that divine and.htm

External Form of the New Testament.
... itself in any general division. 2. The order of these main divisions is
natural and appropriate. The gospel, as was remarked at ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxv external form of.htm

Concerning the Same.
... rest. Or rather those names are most appropriate to Him which are derived
from what is most precious and most akin to Himself. That ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xii concerning the same.htm

1 Cor. xv. 35, 36
... And see how he uses expressions appropriate to the purpose he had in view: thus,
"it is not quickened," saith he, "except it die." Leaving, you see, the terms ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xli 1 cor xv.htm

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Suitable for a particular use; fit; proper;
as, appropriate language or attire. ...Appropriate (19 Occurrences). ...
/a/appropriate.htm - 12k

Fitting (29 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Fit; appropriate; suitable; proper. ... Luke 15:32 But it was appropriate to
celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. ...
/f/fitting.htm - 14k

Improper (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not proper; not appropriate; not fitted to the circumstances, design, or
end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous; inappropriate; indecent; as, an ...
/i/improper.htm - 7k

Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... in Numbers 24:7 Psalm 72:15 Isaiah 60:6, and numerous references to the ingathering
of the Gentiles there are such beautiful and appropriate passages to link ...
/i/innocents.htm - 20k

Function (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable
organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of ...
/f/function.htm - 8k

Toss (13 Occurrences)
... Toss (13 Occurrences). Matthew 15:26 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to
take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." (See NIV). ...
/t/toss.htm - 10k

Dogs (30 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:26 But he answered, "It is not appropriate to take the children's bread
and throw it to the dogs." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/dogs.htm - 15k

Devour (118 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, selfishly, or wantonly;
to consume; to swallow up; to use up; to waste; to annihilate. ...
/d/devour.htm - 37k

Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... in Numbers 24:7 Psalm 72:15 Isaiah 60:6, and numerous references to the ingathering
of the Gentiles there are such beautiful and appropriate passages to link ...
/m/massacre.htm - 20k

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)
... and in this alone can it be safely affirmed that the apostle would hear the word
praetorium used daily," and that this sense is in all respects appropriate. ...
/p/praetorian.htm - 15k

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