Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5051 responsibility  »  5053 responsibility, for God's world

All humanity has a moral obligation under God to one another, whether as national leaders, ministers, spouses, parents, children, believers or simply as human beings. This moral obligation is shown in the Scriptures to also include the animal kingdom and the environment.

The responsibility of national leaders

To reward good and punish evil

Romans 13:3-4 See also Proverbs 16:12

To administer justice

Proverbs 31:4-5,8-9 See also Deuteronomy 27:19; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 29:4,14

The responsibility of Christian leaders

To care for believers

1 Peter 5:2 See also John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28

To preach, teach and handle the Scriptures properly

2 Timothy 2:15; Timothy 4:2 See also Ezekiel 33:6

The responsibility of those who are married

To love each other

Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4

To mutually honour each other

Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:7 See also 1 Peter 3:1

The responsibility of parents to their children

Ephesians 6:4 See also Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:6; 1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 2:4

The responsibility of children to honour their parents

Ephesians 6:1-3 See also Deuteronomy 5:16

The responsibility of every believer to represent Jesus Christ in the world

Matthew 5:13,14; Matthew 28:19-20 See also Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

The responsibility of every human being to love God and others

Luke 10:27 pp Matthew 22:37-39 pp Mark 12:29-31 See also Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Samuel 20:17; Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 10:28-37

The responsibility to exercise dominion over the animal kingdom and creation

Genesis 1:26; Proverbs 12:10 See also Genesis 9:2; Exodus 23:5; Deuteronomy 22:4,6-7; Deuteronomy 25:4; Psalm 8:6-8

See also

4005  creation
4029  world, human beings in
4603  animals
5001  human race, the
5366  king
5702  husband
5731  parents
5744  wife
7939  ministry
7948  mission
8242  ethics, personal
8472  respect for environment