Innocence, within the biblical context, refers to the state of purity and blamelessness, often associated with the absence of guilt or sin. This concept is foundational in understanding the nature of humanity before the Fall, the character of Jesus Christ, and the call for believers to live a life of holiness.

Innocence in Creation and the Fall

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where Adam and Eve were created in a state of innocence. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." In their original state, Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with God, untainted by sin. Genesis 2:25 describes this innocence: "And the man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed."

The loss of innocence occurred with the Fall, as described in Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they became aware of their nakedness and experienced shame and guilt for the first time. This act of disobedience introduced sin into the world, fundamentally altering the human condition and separating humanity from God.

Innocence and the Law

The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, served as a guide to living a life of righteousness and innocence before God. However, the Law also highlighted humanity's inability to maintain innocence through their own efforts. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin."

Innocence in Christ

Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of innocence. As the sinless Son of God, He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father. Hebrews 4:15 affirms this, saying, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." Christ's innocence made Him the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the requirements of the Law and restoring the possibility of innocence before God for those who believe in Him.

Innocence and the Believer

Believers are called to pursue a life of innocence and purity, reflecting the character of Christ. Philippians 2:15 encourages Christians to "become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." This pursuit is not achieved through human effort alone but through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

The innocence of believers is both a present reality and a future hope. Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and declared innocent before God. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Additionally, the ultimate restoration of innocence will be realized in the new creation, where sin and its effects will be completely eradicated.

Innocence and Children

The Bible often uses children as symbols of innocence. Jesus highlighted the importance of childlike innocence in the spiritual life, saying in Matthew 18:3 , "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This statement underscores the value of humility, trust, and purity of heart in the believer's relationship with God.

In summary, innocence in the biblical narrative is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the original state of humanity, the redemptive work of Christ, and the ongoing sanctification of believers. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the call for His people to live in a manner that reflects His character.1. (n.) The state or quality of being innocent; freedom from that which is harmful or injurious; harmlessness.

2. (n.) The state or quality of being morally free from guilt or sin; purity of heart; blamelessness.

3. (n.) The state or quality of being not chargeable for, or guilty of, a particular crime or offense; as, the innocence of the prisoner was clearly shown.

4. (n.) Simplicity or plainness, bordering on weakness or silliness; artlessness; ingenuousness.

INNOCENCE; INNOCENCY; INNOCENT

in'-o-sens, in'-o-sen-si, in'-o-sent (zakhu, niqqayon, chinnam, chaph, naqi; athoos): the King James Version and the American Standard Revised Version have innocency in Genesis 20:5 Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13 Daniel 6:22 Hosea 8:5. In Daniel the Hebrew is zakhu, and the innocence expressed is the absence of the guilt of disloyalty to God. In all the other places the Hebrew is niqqayon, and the innocence expressed is the absence of pollution, Hosea having reference to the pollution of idolatry, and the other passages presenting the cleansing under the figure of washing hands. the King James Version has innocent not fewer than 40 times. In one place (1 Kings 2:31) the Hebrew is chinnam, meaning "undeserved," or "without cause," and, accordingly, the American Standard Revised Version, instead of "innocent blood. shed," has "blood. shed without cause." In another place (Job 33:9) the Hebrew is chaph, meaning "scraped," or "polished," therefore "clean," and refers to moral purity. In all the other places the Hebrew is naqi, or its cognates, and the idea is doubtless the absence of pollution. In more than half the passages "innocent" is connected with blood, as "blood of the innocent," or simply "innocent blood." In some places there is the idea of the Divine acquittal, or forgiveness, as in Job 9:28: "I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent" (compare Job 10:14, where the same Hebrew word is used). The New Testament has "innocent" twice in connection with blood-"innocent blood," and "innocent of the blood" (Matthew 27:4, 24).

E. J. Forrester

1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... Definition: I make righteous, defend the cause of, justify Definition: I make righteous,
defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of, acquit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1344.htm - 9k

286. amnos -- a lamb
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: amnos Phonetic Spelling: (am-nos') Short
Definition: a lamb Definition: a lamb (as a type of innocence, and with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/286.htm - 6k

2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... 2919 ("distinguish, judge") typically refers to making a determination of
right or wrong (innocence or guilt), especially on an (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2919.htm - 11k

2136. zaku -- purity, innocence
... 2135, 2136. zaku. 2137 . purity, innocence. Transliteration: zaku Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-koo') Short Definition: innocent. ... innocence. ...
/hebrew/2136.htm - 6k

5356. niqqayon -- innocency
... innocency. Transliteration: niqqayon or niqqayon Phonetic Spelling:
(nik-kaw-yone') Short Definition: innocence. ... cleanness, innocence. ...
/hebrew/5356.htm - 6k

8537. tom -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high ...
... From tamam; completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence --
full, integrity, perfect(-ion), simplicity, upright(-ly, -ness), at a venture ...
/hebrew/8537.htm - 6k

8538. tummah -- integrity
... Word Origin from tamam Definition integrity NASB Word Usage integrity (5). integrity.
Feminine of tom; innocence -- integrity. see HEBREW tom. 8537, 8538. ...
/hebrew/8538.htm - 6k

Whether in the State of Innocence Man Would have Been Master Over ...
... OF THE MASTERSHIP BELONGING TO MAN IN THE STATE OF INNOCENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
in the state of innocence man would have been master over man? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Generation Existed?
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE SPECIES (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in the state of
innocence generation existed? Objection 1: It would seem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 6.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence There Would have Been Generation ...
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE SPECIES (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in the state
of innocence there would have been generation by coition? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 7.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Man had Need of Food?
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE PRIMITIVE STATE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether in the state of innocence man had need of food? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 4.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Man Would have Been Immortal?
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE PRIMITIVE STATE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether in the state of innocence man would have been immortal? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 2.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Children Would have had Perfect ...
... OF THE CONDITION OF THE OFFSPRING AS TO THE BODY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in the state
of innocence children would have had perfect strength of body as to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 8.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... CHAPTER 10 PROTESTING OUR INNOCENCE? We have all become so used to condemning
the proud self-righteous attitude of the Pharisee ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Man Would have Been Passible?
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE PRIMITIVE STATE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether in the state of innocence man would have been passible? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 3.htm

Whether Adam in the State of Innocence had Mastership Over the ...
... OF THE MASTERSHIP BELONGING TO MAN IN THE STATE OF INNOCENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
Adam in the state of innocence had mastership over the animals? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether adam in the state 2.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Children Would have Been Born ...
... OF THE CONDITION OF THE OFFSPRING AS REGARDS KNOWLEDGE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in
the state of innocence children would have been born with perfect knowledge? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 10.htm

Innocence (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The state or quality of being not chargeable for, or guilty of, a particular
crime or offense; as, the innocence of the prisoner was clearly shown. ...
/i/innocence.htm - 12k

Innocency (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Innocence. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INNOCENCE; INNOCENCY; INNOCENT. in'-o-sens, in'-o-sen ...
/i/innocency.htm - 10k

Innocent (97 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) An unsophisticated person; hence, a child; a simpleton; an idiot. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INNOCENCE; INNOCENCY; INNOCENT. ...
/i/innocent.htm - 37k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... These effects were unavoidable. They prove the loss not only of innocence but of
original righteousness, and, with it, of the favour and fellowship of God. ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Jealousy, Waters of. Water which the suspected wife was required to drink, so that
the result might prove her guilt or innocence (Numbers 5:12-17, 27). ...
/j/jealousy.htm - 29k

Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:30 Deuteronomy 33:8 Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah
7:65), one of the sacred lots, indicating, perhaps, "innocence" or "integrity ...
/i/integrity.htm - 22k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... 5:12 is uncertain). Washing of the hands, in token of innocence, is found
in Deuteronomy 21:6 Matthew 27:24. The "washing balls" of ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... many accusations are made against Him, to which, to Pilate's surprise, He makes
no reply (Matthew 27:12-14 Mark 15:3-5). Pilate affirms His innocence, but the ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... many accusations are made against Him, to which, to Pilate's surprise, He makes
no reply (Matthew 27:12-14 Mark 15:3-5). Pilate affirms His innocence, but the ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Urim (8 Occurrences)
... of which is a matter of conjecture, the divine will was sought in national crises,
and apparently the future foretold, guilt or innocence established, and ...
/u/urim.htm - 21k

What is the dispensation of Innocence? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Did Adam and Eve know what death was when God commanded them not to eat from the tree of knowledge? | GotQuestions.org

Innocence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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