Befit
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Definition and Usage:
The term "befit" generally means to be appropriate for or suitable to a particular situation or person. In a biblical context, it often refers to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that are fitting or proper for someone who follows God's commandments and seeks to live a life pleasing to Him.

Biblical Context:
While the specific word "befit" may not frequently appear in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the teachings of Scripture. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of living in a manner that is appropriate for a believer, reflecting the character and holiness of God.

Old Testament References:
The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding what is considered appropriate behavior for God's people. For instance, in Leviticus 19:2 , God commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is a directive for the Israelites to live in a way that befits their status as God's chosen people.

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their calling. Ephesians 4:1 states, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received." This passage highlights the expectation that Christians live lives that are fitting for those who have been called by God.

In Philippians 1:27 , Paul writes, "Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes that the behavior of believers should be appropriate to the message and transformative power of the Gospel.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
The concept of what befits a believer is closely tied to moral and ethical living. Colossians 3:12-14 provides a list of virtues that are fitting for Christians: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."

Practical Application:
Living a life that befits a follower of Christ involves aligning one's actions, thoughts, and attitudes with biblical principles. This includes exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Conclusion:
The biblical call to live in a manner that befits a believer is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. It challenges Christians to reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives, ensuring that their conduct is appropriate for those who bear His name.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(v. t.) To be suitable to; to suit; to become.
Strong's Hebrew
2969. yaah -- to befit, be befitting
... to befit, be befitting. Transliteration: yaah Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-aw') Short
Definition: due. ... root Definition to befit, be befitting NASB Word Usage due (1). ...
/hebrew/2969.htm - 5k
Library

It Does not Befit a Layman to Dispute or Teach Publicly...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXIV. It does not befit a layman
to dispute or teach publicly? It does not befit a layman ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxiv it does not.htm

To Sit at the Right Hand of the Father is a Mystery Belonging to ...
... For it does not befit that incorporeal nature without the assumption of flesh; neither
is the excellency of a heavenly seat sought for the divine nature, but ...
/.../32 to sit at the.htm

Prior Hugh
... It would befit your greatness if these dwellings were handed over to me, for I have
nowhere to lay my head." The king opened his eyes and stared at his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iii prior hugh.htm

The Glory of the virgins and Religious.
... forget that virginity alone can neither deserve the high honors of heaven, nor even
save any one, unless it is accompanied by the virtues which befit a spouse ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xix the glory of.htm

He Then Clearly and Skilfully Criticises the Doctrine of the ...
... but if the Only-begotten God is confessed, even by His adversaries, to be a Son,
and to exist by way of generation, how do the same words befit Him that befit ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 7 he then clearly.htm

Whether Holy Scripture Should Use Metaphors?
... metaphors. For that which is proper to the lowest science seems not to
befit this science, which holds the highest place of all. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether holy scripture should use.htm

Whether the World Will be Renewed?
... For the first heaven and the first earth was gone.". Further, the dwelling should
befit the dweller. ... Therefore it should befit man. Now man will be renewed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the world will be.htm

Whether the Orders of the Angels are Properly Named?
... So in this way Dionysius (Coel. Hier. vii) explains the names of the orders
accordingly as they befit the spiritual perfections they signify. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the orders of the.htm

The Season of Epiphany.
... John's exhortations in his General Epistle. The Collects are of the same character,
as befit the supplications of subjects coming before their King. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vi the season of.htm

Degrees of Happiness in Heaven.
... and tables loaded with every imaginable luxury, has not the power to bestow the
elevation of mind, polish of manners, and other graces which befit queens and ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xiv degrees of happiness.htm

Thesaurus
Befit (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To be suitable to; to suit; to become.
Multi-Version Concordance Befit (2 Occurrences). Luke 3:8 Bring ...
/b/befit.htm - 7k

Befell (8 Occurrences)

/b/befell.htm - 8k

Decently (2 Occurrences)
... All things that are done and said in public worship are to be in harmony with that
becoming and reverent spirit and tone that befit the true worshippers of God ...
/d/decently.htm - 7k

Behoove
... 2. (vi) To be necessary, fit, or suitable; to befit; to belong as due. 3. (n.)
Advantage; behoof. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEHOOVE. ...
/b/behoove.htm - 7k

Become (3516 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To suit or be suitable to; to be congruous with; to befit; to accord with,
in character or circumstances; to be worthy of, or proper for; to cause to ...
/b/become.htm - 8k

Befits (8 Occurrences)

/b/befits.htm - 8k

Suit (15 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To fit; to adapt; to make proper or suitable; as, to suit the action to
the word. 11. (vt) To be fitted to; to accord with; to become; to befit. 12. ...
/s/suit.htm - 12k

Sit (216 Occurrences)
... him. 6. (vt) To be adjusted; to fit. 7. (vt) To suit one well or ill, as
an act; to become; to befit; -- used impersonally. 8. (vt ...
/s/sit.htm - 39k

Seem (115 Occurrences)
... as being; to be taken as. 2. (vt) To befit; to beseem. Multi-Version
Concordance Seem (115 Occurrences). Matthew 18:10 Let it not ...
/s/seem.htm - 38k

Befitting (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Befit. 2. (a.) Suitable; proper;
becoming; fitting. Multi-Version Concordance Befitting (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/befitting.htm - 7k

Resources
Befit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Befit (2 Occurrences)

Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves,'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
(See RSV)

Titus 2:1
But as for you, you must speak in a manner that befits wholesome teaching.
(Root in WEY ASV RSV)

Subtopics

Befit

Related Terms

Befit (2 Occurrences)

Original (6 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

Wholesome (10 Occurrences)

Impulses (4 Occurrences)

Fitting (29 Occurrences)

Doomed (21 Occurrences)

Misleading (8 Occurrences)

Mode (5 Occurrences)

Befitteth (1 Occurrence)

Claim (30 Occurrences)

Canonicity

Perish (186 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Regard (230 Occurrences)

Nature (80 Occurrences)

Teach (172 Occurrences)

Backslide

Bible

Befell
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