The term "decorous" refers to behavior that is in keeping with good taste and propriety, characterized by dignity, orderliness, and respectability. In a biblical context, decorous behavior aligns with the principles of godliness, modesty, and self-control, reflecting the character of a life transformed by faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, marked by decorum and propriety. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "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." Here, Paul underscores the significance of modesty and good deeds as expressions of a decorous life.

Similarly, in Titus 2:7-8 , Paul advises, "In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that is beyond reproach, so that anyone who opposes you will be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." This passage highlights the importance of integrity and dignity, key components of decorous conduct, in the life of a believer.

Decorum in Speech and Conduct

The Bible frequently addresses the need for decorum in both speech and conduct. Ephesians 4:29 states, "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 calls for speech that is edifying and gracious, reflecting the decorous nature expected of Christians.

Moreover, Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." The imagery of speech being "seasoned with salt" suggests that it should be both tasteful and preserving, aligning with the decorous behavior that honors God.

Decorous Living as a Witness

A decorous lifestyle serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15-16 , believers are encouraged to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ." Here, the call to respond with gentleness and respect underscores the importance of decorous behavior in evangelism and apologetics.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to live a decorous life is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who produces the fruit of the Spirit in the believer's life. Galatians 5:22-23 lists these fruits: "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." Self-control and gentleness, in particular, are essential aspects of decorous living, cultivated by the Spirit's work within.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "decorous" explicitly, the principles of modesty, integrity, and propriety are woven throughout Scripture, calling believers to live lives that reflect the holiness and orderliness of God. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and adherence to biblical teachings, Christians are equipped to embody decorous behavior in all aspects of life.(a.) Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum; becoming; proper; seemly; befitting; as, a decorous speech; decorous behavior; a decorous dress for a judge.2158. euschemon -- comely
... Adjective Transliteration: euschemon Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-skhay'-mone) Short
Definition: comely, honorable Definition: (a) comely, seemly, decorous, (b) of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2158.htm - 7k

2887. kosmios -- orderly
... of good behavior, modest. From kosmos (in its primary sense); orderly, ie Decorous --
of good behaviour, modest. see GREEK kosmos. (kosmion) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2887.htm - 7k

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... How much wiser to spend money on human being, [1557] than on jewels and gold! How
much more useful to acquire decorous friends, than lifeless ornaments! ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

Human Nature Possesses an Adaptation for Perfection; the Gnostic ...
... For abundance in the actions that are according to virtue, is the true riches,
and destitution in decorous [3367] desires is poverty. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii human nature possesses an.htm

Introductory Remarks on the Importance of Orthodoxy
... The armies with their cruel security, the kings with their cold faces, the decorous
processes of State, the reasonable processes of law " all these like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/i introductory remarks on the.htm

Miscellaneous Phrases
... A dangerous varnish of refinement. A dead theological dogma. A decorous and
well-intentioned person. A deep and most impressive solemnity. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section xi miscellaneous phrases.htm

How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... and then "thy neighbour," let its first manifestation be towards God in thanksgiving
and psalmody, and the second toward our neighbour in decorous fellowship. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv how to conduct ourselves.htm

The Christian Alone Rich.
... has many possessions, loaded with gold like a dirty purse; but the righteous alone
is graceful, because grace is order, observing a due and decorous measure in ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the christian alone rich.htm

I have Cast About Widely to Find a Title for this Section...
... The decorous British happiness planned out for David Copperfield and Agnes would
be embarrassed by the perpetual presence of the hopeless tragedy of Emily, or ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 12 i have cast.htm

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
... The decorous silence of the synagogue was broken by a hubbub of mutual questions.
'Many' spoke at once, and all had the same thing to say. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the master rejected the servants.htm

The Grace of Jesus Christ
... That would be as much as to say that it was a just home, but a severe one; decorous,
but unloving; a home where there was fair dealing, but where there was ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxxii the grace of jesus.htm

Christ's Ideal of a Monarch
... There have been sovereigns of England whose death was a relief. There have been
others who were mourned with a certain tepid and decorous regret. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs ideal of a monarch.htm

Decorous (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum;
becoming; proper; seemly; befitting; as, a decorous speech; decorous...
/d/decorous.htm - 6k

Discreet (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife,
sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach; (DBY). ...
/d/discreet.htm - 9k

Decorations (2 Occurrences)

/d/decorations.htm - 7k

Decent (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous;
proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language. ...
/d/decent.htm - 7k

Decrease (4 Occurrences)

/d/decrease.htm - 8k

Seemly (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Suited to the object, occasion, purpose,
or character; suitable; fit; becoming; comely; decorous. ...
/s/seemly.htm - 9k

What does it mean that love is not rude (1 Corinthians 13:5)? | GotQuestions.org

Decorous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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