The concept of what is "permissible" in the Bible often revolves around the discernment of God's will and the application of His commandments in the life of a believer. The term itself is not frequently used in Scripture, but the idea is woven throughout biblical teachings, particularly in the context of Christian liberty, moral choices, and obedience to God's law.

Christian Liberty and Permissibility

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of what is permissible in the context of Christian liberty. In 1 Corinthians 6:12 , Paul states, "Everything is permissible for me," but he adds a crucial caveat: "but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." Here, Paul acknowledges that while believers may have the freedom to engage in various activities, not all actions are beneficial or constructive. The guiding principle is that one's actions should not lead to being mastered by sinful desires or habits.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 10:23 , Paul reiterates, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying." This passage emphasizes the importance of edification and the building up of oneself and others in the faith. The exercise of Christian freedom should always consider the impact on the spiritual growth and well-being of the community.

Moral Choices and Obedience

The Bible provides numerous commandments and guidelines that delineate what is permissible in terms of moral and ethical behavior. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational moral code, outlining actions that are either permissible or prohibited. For instance, prohibitions against murder, adultery, and theft establish clear boundaries for permissible behavior.

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the understanding of the law, emphasizing the spirit rather than the letter. In Matthew 5:17-20 , Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." He calls His followers to a higher standard of righteousness that exceeds mere legalistic adherence, focusing on the heart's intentions and attitudes.

Discernment and the Role of Conscience

The role of personal conscience is significant in determining what is permissible. Romans 14:5 advises, "One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." This passage highlights the importance of individual conviction and the exercise of personal discernment in matters that are not explicitly addressed by Scripture.

Paul further instructs believers in Romans 14:23 , "But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin." This underscores the principle that actions should be undertaken with a clear conscience and in faith, aligning with one's understanding of God's will.

Conclusion

The concept of what is permissible in the Bible is multifaceted, involving the exercise of Christian liberty, adherence to moral commandments, and the discernment of God's will through personal conscience. Believers are called to navigate these aspects with wisdom, ensuring that their actions are beneficial, edifying, and aligned with the teachings of Scripture.(a.) That may be permitted; allowable; admissible.1832. exesti -- it is permitted, lawful
... Word Origin from ek and eimi Definition it is permitted, lawful NASB Word Usage
lawful (26), may (3), permissible (1), permitted (2). so also. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1832.htm - 6k

Whether it is Permissible to Receive Communion from Heretical ...
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is permissible to receive
communion from heretical, excommunicate, or sinful priests, and to hear ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is permissible to.htm

It is Permissible for a Preacher to Deliver to the People what Has ...
... Book IV. Chapter 29."It is Permissible for a Preacher to Deliver to the People
What Has Been Written by a More Eloquent Man Than Himself. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 29 it is permissible for.htm

A Certain Degree of Intemperance is to be Tolerated in the Case of ...
... procreating children, which must be admitted to be the proper end of marriage, is
not sinful, what is it which the apostle allows to be permissible, [2120] but ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 16 xiv a certain degree.htm

Concerning the Seraphim and Cherubim and Thrones, and Concerning ...
... holy representations written for meditation, but as being filled with all kinds
of immaterial knowledge of higher light, and satiated, as permissible, with the ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput vii concerning the seraphim.htm

Concerning Lordships and Powers and Authorities, and Concerning ...
... but conducted indomitably, with good order, towards Divine things, and conducting
those after it benignly, and assimilated, as far as permissible, to the ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput viii concerning lordships and.htm

To an Objection that the State of Widowhood Might Indeed be ...
... of their mother. 59. There are some things permissible in the abstract,
but not permissible on account of age. Why is the bridal ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix to an objection.htm

Appendix iv
... Idol., 19)."Seeing that John exhorts the soldiers, but does not denounce the soldier's
profession, therefore the profession of a soldier is permissible to a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/harnack/the origin of the new testament/appendix iv.htm

Slum Novelists and the Slums
... It is permissible to present men as monsters if we wish to make the reader
jump; and to make anybody jump is always a Christian act. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xix slum novelists and the.htm

The Book of Life
... While it is not in accord with our modern knowledge of psychology to assort and
divide human activities too sharply, it is nevertheless permissible to insist ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter ii the book of.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... and most immaterial conception of God and things Divine, and the complete likeness
to God, and a persistent habit of imitating God, as far as permissible. ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

Permissible (3 Occurrences)
... admissible. Multi-Version Concordance Permissible (3 Occurrences). John 5:10
So the Jews said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath. ...
/p/permissible.htm - 7k

Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... found in the text quoted from Isaiah. We have here undoubtedly to do with
a permissible accommodation. It is not quite certain that ...
/n/nazarene.htm - 18k

Oath (286 Occurrences)
... ii.194) that the practice of swearing should be discontinued, and the Essenes used
no oaths (BJ, II, viii, 6; Ant., XV, x, 4). 4. Oaths Permissible: That oaths ...
/o/oath.htm - 47k

Permission (23 Occurrences)

/p/permission.htm - 13k

Nest (22 Occurrences)
... It is probable that it was made permissible to take the young, as the law demanded
their use, at least in the case of pigeons and doves, for sacrifice. ...
/n/nest.htm - 18k

Incompetent (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.) Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized power; not
permissible. Multi-Version Concordance Incompetent (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/incompetent.htm - 7k

Record (71 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The various legal papers used in a case, together with memoranda of the
proceedings of the court; as, it is not permissible to allege facts not in the ...
/r/record.htm - 29k

Permanently (5 Occurrences)

/p/permanently.htm - 7k

Allowable (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Proper to be, or capable of being, allowed; permissible; admissible; not
forbidden; not unlawful or improper; as, a certain degree of freedom is ...
/a/allowable.htm - 8k

Pastoral
... If he was acquitted, the issue of the trial was a formal decision by the supreme
court of the empire that it was permissible to preach Christianity; the trial ...
/p/pastoral.htm - 39k

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