Principles
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In the context of the Bible, principles are fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. They are the underlying guidelines that inform the moral and ethical decisions of believers, shaping their conduct in accordance with God's will. The Bible is replete with principles that guide the faithful in their daily lives, offering wisdom and direction.

Biblical Foundation of Principles

The Bible emphasizes the importance of adhering to divine principles as a means of living a life pleasing to God. In Proverbs 4:7, it is written, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." This verse underscores the value of seeking wisdom and understanding, which are rooted in God's principles.

Principles of Love and Compassion

One of the most significant principles in the Bible is the commandment to love. Jesus Christ emphasized this in Matthew 22:37-39: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This principle of love is foundational to Christian ethics and is echoed throughout Scripture.

Principles of Justice and Righteousness

The Bible also upholds principles of justice and righteousness. In Micah 6:8, the prophet declares, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the expectation that believers live justly and mercifully, reflecting God's character in their interactions with others.

Principles of Faith and Trust

Faith and trust in God are central principles in the life of a believer. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This principle encourages believers to trust in God's promises and His sovereign plan, even when circumstances are uncertain.

Principles of Integrity and Honesty

Integrity and honesty are vital principles that the Bible advocates. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This principle calls believers to uphold truthfulness and integrity in all their dealings, reflecting God's nature.

Principles of Stewardship and Responsibility

The Bible teaches principles of stewardship and responsibility, particularly concerning the resources God has entrusted to individuals. In 1 Peter 4:10, it is written, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This principle encourages believers to manage their gifts and resources wisely, serving others and glorifying God.

Principles of Humility and Servanthood

Humility and servanthood are principles that Jesus exemplified and taught. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This principle calls believers to adopt a posture of humility, serving others selflessly.

Principles of Obedience and Submission

Obedience to God's commands is a fundamental principle in Scripture. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This principle highlights the connection between love for God and obedience to His will, urging believers to submit to His authority.

Principles of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Forgiveness and reconciliation are principles that promote peace and unity among believers. In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This principle encourages believers to extend forgiveness, reflecting the grace they have received from God.

Conclusion

The principles outlined in the Bible serve as a guide for believers, shaping their character and conduct in alignment with God's will. By adhering to these principles, Christians are equipped to navigate the complexities of life, honoring God in all they do.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINCIPLES

prin'-si-p'-lz: Found twice (Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 6:1). The Greek word (stoicheion) is also translated in the King James Version as "elements" and "rudiments." As rendered in He, its meaning is clearly related to the elementary knowledge of Christian truth or doctrine.

See ELEMENTS; RUDIMENTS.

Greek
4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet) ...
... the elements (of knowledge) NASB Word Usage elemental things (2), elementary
principles (2), elementary* (1), elements (2), principles (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4747.htm - 8k

1797. enupniazomai -- to dream
... be granted by Him! This shows someone is completely out of touch with the
principles of (see also Mt 6:33).]. Word Origin from enupnion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1797.htm - 7k

1955. epilusis -- a release, an interpretation
... from 1909 , ", fitting" and 3089 , "to loose") -- properly, unloosing (unpacking)
in an () manner, ie that builds on sound hermeneutical principles (note the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1955.htm - 7k

Library

First Principles of the Reformation
First Principles of the Reformation. <. First Principles of the
Reformation Martin Luther. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/

The Social Principles of Jesus
The Social Principles of Jesus. <. The Social Principles of Jesus
Walter Rauschenbusch. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/

The Two Principles of the Manich??ans; Themselves Controverted ...
... Chapter VI."The Two Principles of the Manich??ans; Themselves Controverted; The
Pythagorean Opinion Respecting First Principles; Good and Evil Contrary; The ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter vi the two principles of.htm

Principles and Method.
... Chapter IV. The Theology of S. Athanasius Section 2. Principles and Method.
The determination of the leading Athanasian dates depends ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 2 principles and method.htm

Conclusion. A Summary view of the Principles and Advantages of the ...
... Conclusion. A SUMMARY VIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE FOREGOING
SYSTEM. There is a lamp within the lofty dome Of the ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/conclusion a summary view of.htm

Of the Principles Which, According to the Platonists, Regulate the ...
... Book X. Chapter 23."Of the Principles Which, According to the Platonists,
Regulate the Purification of the Soul. Even Porphyry ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 of the principles which.htm

All the Principles of Piety Subverted by Fanatics, who Substitute ...
... BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR CHAPTER 9. ALL THE PRINCIPLES OF
PIETY SUBVERTED BY FANATICS, WHO SUBSTITUTE REVELATIONS FOR SCRIPTURE. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 all the principles.htm

Fundamental Principles in Sunday School Work with Boys
... VI FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES IN SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK WITH BOYS. ... BIBLIOGRAPHY ON
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. Alexander (Editor)."Boy Training (.75). ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/vi fundamental principles in sunday.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE: OR, A BRIEF ANSWER TO MR. ... WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS
NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

Common Principles.
... Book III. Chapter XX."Common Principles. Then Simon: "On what subject do
you wish the discussion to be held? Tell me, that I also ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xx common principles.htm

Thesaurus
Principles (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PRINCIPLES. prin ... See ELEMENTS; RUDIMENTS.
Multi-Version Concordance Principles (11 Occurrences). 2 ...
/p/principles.htm - 10k

Elemental (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to the elements, first principles, and primary ingredients, or
to the four supposed elements of the material world; as, elemental air. ...
/e/elemental.htm - 7k

Element (1 Occurrence)
... 11. (n.) The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science,
or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music. 12. ...
/e/element.htm - 10k

Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter, it is rendered "elements." In the two passages in Colossians, it is translated
"rudiments." In He it is rendered "first principles." 1. Etymological ...
/r/rudiments.htm - 13k

Elements (7 Occurrences)
... In its primary sense, as denoting the first principles or constituents of things,
it is used in 2 Peter 3:10: "The elements shall be dissolved." In a secondary ...
/e/elements.htm - 10k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... stranj'-er: I. THE GER 1. Legal provisions (1) Principles (2) Rules 2. Relation
to Sacrifice and Ritual 3. Historical Circumstances II. THE TOSHABH III. ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Under the irresistible influence of the Spirit, He turned aside to seek out in silence
and alone the principles which should govern Him in His Messianic work. ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

Stranger (152 Occurrences)
... stranj'-er: I. THE GER 1. Legal provisions (1) Principles (2) Rules 2. Relation
to Sacrifice and Ritual 3. Historical Circumstances II. THE TOSHABH III. ...
/s/stranger.htm - 57k

Principle (32 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles;
to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill. ...
/p/principle.htm - 16k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... He gave to His disciples principles, and in the application of these principles
to the problems of life there had to be the exercise of discriminating judgment ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

Resources
What biblical principles should be applied to a Christian marriage ceremony? | GotQuestions.org

Who is Bill Gothard and what is the Institute in Basic Life Principles? | GotQuestions.org

What principles should distinguish a Christian business? | GotQuestions.org

Principles: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Principles (11 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 1:17
Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them on worldly principles, now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"?
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 10:2
I beseech you not to compel me when present to make a bold display of the confidence with which I reckon I shall show my 'courage' against some who reckon that we are guided by worldly principles.
(WEY)

Galatians 4:3
So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
(WEB DBY NIV)

Galatians 4:9
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
(WEB DBY NIV)

Ephesians 6:9
And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him.
(WEY)

Colossians 2:8
Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners by means of his philosophy and idle fancies, following human traditions and the world's crude notions instead of following Christ.
(See NAS NIV)

Colossians 2:20
If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,
(See NAS NIV)

1 Timothy 5:21
I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
(See NAS)

1 Timothy 6:2
Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
(See NAS)

Hebrews 5:12
For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection-not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Subtopics

Principles

Related Terms

Printed (2 Occurrences)

Printing

Imprint (2 Occurrences)

Type (12 Occurrences)

Thrust (92 Occurrences)

Finger (35 Occurrences)

Belief (61 Occurrences)

Principles (11 Occurrences)

Except (236 Occurrences)

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)

Yokefellow

Narrowly (2 Occurrences)

Nail (9 Occurrences)

Nails (16 Occurrences)

Observest (3 Occurrences)

Lookest (8 Occurrences)

Impression (2 Occurrences)

Impress (6 Occurrences)

Figure (19 Occurrences)

Tone (9 Occurrences)

Roots (31 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Read (681 Occurrences)

Emit (1 Occurrence)

Engraving (7 Occurrences)

Esdras

Machine (2 Occurrences)

Puttest (18 Occurrences)

Publish (22 Occurrences)

Copy (18 Occurrences)

Shell (1 Occurrence)

Step (41 Occurrences)

Settest (13 Occurrences)

Spell (2 Occurrences)

English

Heels (11 Occurrences)

Unless (102 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

Versions

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)

Believe (239 Occurrences)

Books (16 Occurrences)

Chronicles (45 Occurrences)

Gospels

First (4693 Occurrences)

Book (211 Occurrences)

Hands (998 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

Principle of Willingness and Equality
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