The term "outward" in the Bible often refers to external appearances, actions, or characteristics, as opposed to the inner spiritual state or intentions of a person. This concept is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the distinction between what is visible to human eyes and what is known to God.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 16:7 · In the selection of David as king, the Lord instructs Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This verse underscores the biblical principle that God prioritizes the heart and inner character over external appearances.

2. Matthew 23:27-28 · Jesus criticizes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous to men, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, Jesus condemns the focus on outward religious observance without genuine inner righteousness.

3. 2 Corinthians 4:16 · Paul writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day." This passage contrasts the physical, outward decay of the body with the spiritual renewal that occurs within believers.

4. 1 Peter 3:3-4 · Peter advises, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." This instruction emphasizes the value of inner beauty over external adornment.

Theological Implications:

The emphasis on the inward over the outward reflects a core biblical theme: the importance of the heart and inner spiritual life. While outward actions and appearances can be significant, they are not the ultimate measure of a person's faith or righteousness. God’s concern is with the heart, the seat of intentions, desires, and true character.

Practical Applications:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate inner virtues such as humility, love, and faithfulness, rather than merely focusing on external religious practices or appearances. This inward focus aligns with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who renews the believer from within.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures, outward appearances and public honor were often highly valued. The biblical teaching challenges these cultural norms by asserting that true worth and righteousness are determined by one's relationship with God and the condition of the heart.

Conclusion:

The biblical perspective on "outward" serves as a reminder to prioritize inner spiritual growth and authenticity in one's relationship with God, rather than merely conforming to external standards or appearances.1. (adv.) Alt. of Outwards.

2. (a.) Forming the superficial part; external; exterior; -- opposed to inward; as, an outward garment or layer.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to the outer surface or to what is external; manifest; public.

4. (a.) Foreign; not civil or intestine; as, an outward war.

5. (a.) Tending to the exterior or outside.

6. (n.) External form; exterior.

MAN, OUTWARD

See MAN, NATURAL; OUTWARD MAN.

OUTWARD MAN

out'-werd, (exo, "outside," "without," "out of doors"): The body, subject to decay and death, in distinction from the inner man, the imperishable spiritual life which "is renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16); also the body as the object of worldly thought and pride in external dress and adornment (1 Peter 3:3).

See MAN, NATURAL; MAN.

5318. phaneros -- visible, manifest
... Word Origin from phaino Definition visible, manifest NASB Word Usage apparent (1),
disclosed (2), evident (6), light (2), obvious (1), outward (1), outwardly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5318.htm - 6k

3345. metaschematizo -- to change in fashion or appearance
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: metaschematizo Phonetic Spelling:
(met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo) Short Definition: I change the outward appearance, transfigure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3345.htm - 7k

3444. morphe -- form, shape
... form, shape. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: morphe Phonetic Spelling:
(mor-fay') Short Definition: form, shape, outward appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3444.htm - 6k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... 4976 ("outward, visible form") is used of Jesus' earthly body (Phil 2:7,8). Christ
incarnated into a body, which was not an "exact match with typical humanity ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

3799. opsis -- the act of seeing, the sense of sight
... sense of sight. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: opsis Phonetic Spelling:
(op'-sis) Short Definition: the features, outward appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3799.htm - 6k

2397. idea -- countenance, appearance
... appearance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: idea Phonetic Spelling:
(id-eh'-ah) Short Definition: form, outward appearance Definition: form ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2397.htm - 6k

2146. euprosopeo -- to be of good countenance, ie to look well
... look well. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: euprosopeo Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-pros-o-peh'-o) Short Definition: I make a fair outward appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2146.htm - 6k

4392. prophasis -- a pretense
... pretense, outward showing. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing,
ie Pretext -- cloke, colour, pretence, show. see GREEK pro. see GREEK phaino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4392.htm - 6k

545. apeithes -- disobedient
... Cognate: 545 (an adjective) -- literally, (by God) which shows itself in outward
(outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/545.htm - 7k

2158. euschemon -- comely
... 2158 (an adjective, derived from 2095 , "well, good" and 4976, "outward form, figure")
-- properly, of good form, well-fashioned and hence "seemly" (desirable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2158.htm - 7k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... 1), gleam (3), humble person* (1), knowledge (1), like* (1), look (4), look* (3),
looked* (3), looks* (1), maliciously* (1), notice (1), outward appearance (1 ...
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

2435. chitson -- outer, external
... Word Origin from the same as chuts Definition outer, external NASB Word Usage
outer (22), outside (3). outer, outward, utter, without. ...
/hebrew/2435.htm - 6k

2351. chuts -- the outside, a street
... abroad* (1), exterior (1), fields (3), large (1), open (1), outdoors (1), outer
(3), outside (35), outside to the outer (1), outside* (52), outward (1), street ...
/hebrew/2351.htm - 6k

Outward and Inward Morality
... ECKHART'S SERMONS VII OUTWARD AND INWARD MORALITY. OUTWARD AND INWARD MORALITY ... All
outward morality must be built upon this basis, not on self-interest. ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/vii outward and inward morality.htm

The Difference Between the Outward and Inward Man.
... Wisdom, True Annihilation, and Internal Peace. CHAP. I. The Difference between
the Outward and Inward Man. 1. THERE are two sorts of ...
/.../chap i the difference between.htm

Songs of the Cross in Outward and Inward Distress
... Songs of the Cross In Outward and Inward Distress. II. In Outward and Inward Distress
From the Dark Times of the Thirty Years' War. 8,6,8,6,6. ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/songs of the cross in.htm

Everything that is Outward in Religion, Whether it be Men or ...
... [Way-2-108] Everything that is outward in religion, whether it be men or
things? Everything that is outward in religion, whether ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-108 everything that is outward.htm

Whether any virtue Regards the Outward Movements of the Body?
... OF MODESTY AS CONSISTING IN THE OUTWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether any virtue regards the outward movements of the body? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any virtue regards the.htm

Of Modesty as Consisting in the Outward Movements of the Body ...
... OF MODESTY AS CONSISTING IN THE OUTWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY (FOUR ARTICLES).
We must next consider modesty as consisting in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of modesty as consisting in.htm

Look at all that is Outward, and all that You Then See...
... Address 233: Look at all that is outward, and all that you then see? Look
at all that is outward, and all that you then see, has ...
/.../address 233 0 0 look at all.htm

Whether Modesty is Only About Outward Actions?
... OF MODESTY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether modesty is only about outward actions? Objection
1: It would seem that modesty is only about outward actions. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether modesty is only about.htm

Whether Outward Pain is Greater than Interior Sorrow?
... OF PAIN OR SORROW, IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether outward pain is greater
than interior sorrow? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether outward pain is greater.htm

Question Three the Outward Act of Faith
... Question Three THE OUTWARD ACT OF FAITH. THE OUTWARD ACT OF FAITH We must
now consider the outward act of faith, that is, confession. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question three the outward act.htm

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Alt. of Outwards. 2. (a.) Forming the superficial part; external; exterior; --
opposed to inward; as, an outward garment or layer. ... MAN, OUTWARD. ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Natural (49 Occurrences)
... pairs: (1) the old man and the new man (Romans 6:6 Ephesians 4:22 Colossians 3:9
Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 4:24 Colossians 3:10); (2) the outward man and the ...
/n/natural.htm - 42k

Outwardly (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision
which is outward in the flesh; (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/o/outwardly.htm - 8k

Writing (194 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Handwriting; chirography. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WRITING.
rit'-ing: I. GENERAL 1. Definition 2. Inward Writing 3. Outward Writing II. ...
/w/writing.htm - 70k

Inward (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Being or placed within; inner; interior; -- opposed
to outward. 2. (a.) Seated in the mind, heart, spirit, or soul. ...
/i/inward.htm - 21k

Exterior (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Outward; pertaining to that which is outside; --
opposed to interior; as, the exterior part of a sphere. ...
/e/exterior.htm - 7k

External (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Outward; exterior; acting from without; -- opposed
to internal; as, the external form or surface of a body. ...
/e/external.htm - 9k

Adoration
... II. Meaning. Adoration is intense admiration culminating in reverence and worship,
together with the outward acts and attitudes which accompany such reverence. ...
/a/adoration.htm - 20k

Man (26072 Occurrences)
... lexigraphically defined "the internal man," ie "soul," "conscience." It is the
immaterial part of man-mind, spirit-in distinction from the "outward man" which ...
/m/man.htm - 56k

Conversion (1 Occurrence)
... a change from the service of the world to the service of God; a change of the ruling
disposition of the soul, involving a transformation of the outward life. ...
/c/conversion.htm - 21k

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