Permitting, in a biblical context, refers to the allowance or granting of permission for certain actions or behaviors, often within the framework of God's will and commandments. The concept of permitting is closely tied to the themes of authority, obedience, and discernment in Scripture.

Divine Permission

The Bible frequently illustrates the concept of divine permission, where God allows certain events or actions to occur, even if they are not His perfect will. This is often seen in the context of human free will and the presence of sin in the world. For instance, in the account of Job, God permits Satan to test Job's faith, saying, "Very well," the LORD told Satan, "all that he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger" (Job 1:12). This demonstrates that while God permits certain trials, He remains sovereign and sets boundaries.

Human Authority and Permission

In the New Testament, the concept of permitting is also evident in the context of human authority. Jesus, when questioned about paying taxes to Caesar, responds, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s" (Matthew 22:21). Here, Jesus acknowledges the legitimacy of earthly authorities and the permissions they grant, while also affirming the higher authority of God.

Permitting in the Church

The early church faced questions of what was permissible, particularly concerning the observance of the Law and the inclusion of Gentile believers. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council deliberates on these issues, ultimately permitting Gentiles to join the church without adhering to all Jewish customs, stating, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements" (Acts 15:28). This decision reflects the church's role in discerning what is permissible in light of the gospel.

Moral and Ethical Permitting

The Bible also addresses the moral and ethical dimensions of permitting certain behaviors. Paul, in his letters, often discusses the balance between Christian freedom and responsibility. In 1 Corinthians 10:23, he writes, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying" . This highlights the need for believers to exercise discernment and consider the impact of their actions on themselves and others.

Permitting and Conscience

The role of conscience in permitting is another important theme. Paul advises believers to be sensitive to the consciences of others, especially in matters of personal conviction. In Romans 14:14, he states, "I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean" . This underscores the principle that what may be permissible for one person may not be for another, depending on their conscience and understanding.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of permitting encompasses divine sovereignty, human authority, church governance, moral discernment, and personal conscience. It requires believers to seek God's will, respect legitimate authority, and exercise wisdom and love in their decisions.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Permit.863. aphiemi -- to send away, leave alone, permit
... leaves (2), leaving (8), left (38), let (9), let...alone (6), let him have (1),
neglected (1), neglecting (2), permit (6), permitted (1), permitting (1), send ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/863.htm - 10k

God not Deserving of Blame in Permitting the Existence of the ...
... Homily XIX. Chapter V."God Not Deserving of Blame in Permitting the
Existence of the Devil. And Peter said: "It is my opinion ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v god not deserving of.htm

Whether the Gods, whom the Greeks and Romans Worshipped in Common ...
... Book III. Chapter 2."Whether the Gods, Whom the Greeks and Romans Worshipped in
Common, Were Justified in Permitting the Destruction of Ilium. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 2 whether the gods whom.htm

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
... tells a lie, he sees indeed that his body is threatened with corruption, not from
his own, but from another's lust, but is cautious lest by permitting at least ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 41 there resulteth then.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... But their true significance is that they are instances of revelation permitting,
and, while permitting, checking, a custom for the abolition of which Israel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

(On the Passion, viii. : on Wednesday in Holy Week. )
... Accordingly, permitting the infliction on Himself of all that the people's fury
inflamed by the priests dared do, He is brought to Annas, father-in-law to ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lix on the passion.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God
... We must now, with more distinctness, explain, by some of the differences of sin,
those things which we have spoken thus generally about hindering and permitting ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 10 on the righteousness.htm

Whether it was Lawful to Divorce a Wife under the Mosaic Law?
... For this reason they say that although to put away one's wife is wrong in itself,
it nevertheless became lawful by God's permitting it, and they confirm this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was lawful to.htm

Thanksgiving to God for Deliverance from the Evils Expected Owing ...
... not from hatred or aversion, but in care for him, and to repress at the very outset
that evil and destructive pride; and instead of permitting it to proceed ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xi thanksgiving to god.htm

The Third Kind of General Mortification is Silence; the which is ...
... 3. But in these latter days superiors have conceived themselves obliged to remit
much of this rigorous silence, not only permitting, but even appointing set ...
/.../chapter vii the third kind.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... Hence the Christian always willingly renders to the state and to the individual
all service exacted by temporal regulations, permitting no claims upon himself ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Permitting (2 Occurrences)
... n.) of Permit. Multi-Version Concordance Permitting (2 Occurrences). Mark 1:34 He
healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. ...
/p/permitting.htm - 7k

Keys (2 Occurrences)
... Numerous examples could be cited of the use of these terms to signify forbidding
(binding) and permitting (loosing) conduct as legitimate under the law of the ...
/k/keys.htm - 32k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... But by permitting evil, mysterious as it seems, God's works of grace, mercy, and
wisdom in saving sinners have been wonderfully manifested to all his creatures ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Royalty (7 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A share of the product or profit (as of a mine, forest, etc.), reserved
by the owner for permitting another to use the property. ...
/r/royalty.htm - 9k

Relying (4 Occurrences)
... remained there for a considerable time, speaking freely and relying on the Lord,
while He bore witness to the Message of His grace by permitting signs and ...
/r/relying.htm - 7k

Redeemable (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Capable of being redeemed; subject to repurchase; held under conditions
permitting redemption; as, a pledge securing the payment of money is redeemable ...
/r/redeemable.htm - 7k

English
... Even in later times the Latin church seems to have followed no consistent policy
in permitting or forbidding the translation of the Scriptures. ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Marvels (21 Occurrences)
... remained there for a considerable time, speaking freely and relying on the Lord,
while He bore witness to the Message of His grace by permitting signs and ...
/m/marvels.htm - 12k

Permission (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent;
authorization; leave; license or liberty granted. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/permission.htm - 13k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To clarify; to defecate, as liquors. 4. (vt) To clear of sediment, as a
boiler, or of air, as a steam pipe, by driving off or permitting escape. ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

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