The term "properly" in a biblical context often refers to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that align with God's standards and commands. It implies a sense of order, appropriateness, and righteousness as defined by Scripture. The concept of doing things properly is woven throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of living in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of doing things properly is often associated with following God's laws and commandments. For instance, the Israelites were instructed to worship God properly by adhering to the specific rituals and sacrifices outlined in the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 10:1-2, the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, are consumed by fire from the Lord for offering "unauthorized fire" before Him, highlighting the importance of proper worship.

The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, frequently addresses the concept of living properly. Proverbs 14:12 states, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This verse underscores the distinction between human perceptions of propriety and God's standards.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the call to live properly is reiterated through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provides a comprehensive guide to living in a manner that reflects the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus emphasizes the importance of internal righteousness over mere external compliance.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the concept of living properly in his epistles. In Romans 13:13 , Paul exhorts believers, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." Here, Paul contrasts proper Christian conduct with behaviors that are contrary to the faith.

In 1 Corinthians 14:40 , Paul instructs the church, "But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner." This directive is given in the context of worship and spiritual gifts, emphasizing the need for order and propriety in communal gatherings.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, living properly is an expression of sanctification, the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves aligning one's life with the teachings of Scripture and the example of Christ. Proper conduct is not merely about external adherence to rules but is rooted in a transformed heart and mind.

The concept of propriety also extends to relationships within the Christian community. Ephesians 5:3-4 advises, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character." This passage highlights the importance of maintaining purity and integrity in all aspects of life.

Practical Application

For believers, living properly involves a commitment to personal holiness and ethical behavior. It requires discernment and wisdom to navigate the complexities of life in a way that honors God. This includes being mindful of one's speech, actions, and attitudes, ensuring they reflect the character of Christ.

In summary, the biblical concept of doing things properly encompasses a holistic approach to life that seeks to honor God through obedience, integrity, and love. It is a call to live in a way that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture and the example set by Jesus Christ.1. (adv.) In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted.

2. (adv.) Individually; after one's own manner.

5142. trepho -- to make to grow, to nourish, feed
... 5142 (from 5160 , "food") -- properly, , fully develop because adequately ();
(figuratively) to bring (or experience) "personal," ie spiritual from being ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5142.htm - 7k

5594. psucho -- to breathe, blow, to make cool
... J. Thayer) -- properly, "to blow, refresh with cool air" (Zod, ); (figuratively)
"to breathe cool by blowing, to grow cold, 'spiritual energy blighted or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5594.htm - 7k

4506. rhuomai -- to draw to oneself, ie deliver
... danger or destruction). 4506 (from , "draw ") -- properly, draw (pull) ;
to rescue ("snatch up"); to draw or rescue a person . In Mt ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4506.htm - 8k

5087. tithemi -- to place, lay, set
... of a primary theo (theh'-o) (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses)
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5087.htm - 10k

5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard
... watch over. 5083 (from , "a guard") -- properly, maintain (preserve);
(figuratively) (watch), . Word Origin from a prim. word teros ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5083.htm - 10k

53. hagnos -- free from ceremonial defilement, holy, sacred
... 53 (an adjective, which may be cognate with 40 , "holy," so , 1, 122) -- properly,
to the); (chaste, unadultered); pure ; because (undefiled from sin), ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/53.htm - 7k

59. agorazo -- to buy in the marketplace, purchase
... 59 (from 58 , "the ancient marketplace, town-center") -- properly, to make in
the marketplace (""), ie as transfers from seller to buyer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/59.htm - 9k

649. apostello -- to send, send away
... away, dismiss. 649 (from 575 , "away from" and 4724 , "send") -- properly,
send away, ie ; (passive) " on a by a superior.". As an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/649.htm - 10k

5326. phantasma -- an appearance, apparition
... 5326 -- properly, a ; "(so Aesch., etc.)" (). ... spirit. From phantazo; (properly concrete)
a (mere) show ("phantasm"), ie Spectre -- spirit. see GREEK phantazo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5326.htm - 6k

518. apaggello -- to report, announce
... 518 (from 575 , "from" intensifying , "announce") -- properly, to declare (report) ,
which focuses on the () shaping the of what is announced. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/518.htm - 8k

4941. mishpat -- judgment
... of justice (1), mode of life (1), order (1), ordinance (29), ordinances (79), plan
(1), plans (1), practice (1), procedure (4), properly (2), regulation (1 ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

5483. cuwc -- a swallow, swift (type of bird)
... Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse
(as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back ...
/hebrew/5483.htm - 5k

5586. saaph -- to lop off (boughs)
... top. A primitive root; properly, to divide up; but used only as denominative from
ca'iyph, to disbranch (a tree) -- top. see HEBREW ca'iyph. 5585, 5586. ...
/hebrew/5586.htm - 6k

5769. olam -- long duration, antiquity, futurity
... Or lolam {o-lawm'}; from alam; properly, concealed, ie The vanishing point; generally,
time out of mind (past or future), ie (practically) eternity ...
/hebrew/5769.htm - 7k

650. aphiq -- a channel
... From 'acaph; properly, containing, ie A tube; also a bed or valley of a stream;
also a strong thing or a hero -- brook, channel, mighty, river, + scale, stream ...
/hebrew/650.htm - 6k

5594. saphad -- to wail, lament
... A primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals
do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail -- lament, mourn(-er ...
/hebrew/5594.htm - 6k

5595. saphah -- to sweep or snatch away, catch up
... A primitive root; properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively)
together (ie To accumulate or increase) or away (ie To scatter, remove ...
/hebrew/5595.htm - 6k

572. amtachath -- a sack
... sack. From mathach; properly, something expansive, ie A bag -- sack. see HEBREW
mathach. 571, 572. amtachath. 573 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/572.htm - 6k

5913. akas -- to shake bangles, rattle, tinkle
... A primitive root; properly, to tie, specifically, with fetters; but used only as
denominative from ekec; to put on anklets -- make a tinkling ornament. ...
/hebrew/5913.htm - 6k

582. enosh -- man, mankind
... From 'anash; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 'adam);
hence, a man in general (singly or collectively) -- another, X (blood ...
/hebrew/582.htm - 6k

Whether the Will is Properly the Subject of Penance?
... OF PENANCE AS A VIRTUE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the will is properly the subject
of penance? Objection 1: It would seem that the subject ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will is properly.htm

Mortification Properly is not of the Senses or Cognoscitive ...
... TOUCHING CERTAIN SPECIAL MORTIFICATIONS OF THE PASSIONS, ETC. CHAPTER I. Mortification
properly is not of the senses or cognoscitive faculties? Sec. ...
/.../chapter i mortification properly is.htm

Whether the Orders of the Angels are Properly Named?
... OF THE ANGELIC DEGREES OF HIERARCHIES AND ORDERS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
the orders of the angels are properly named? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the orders of the.htm

Predestination is Properly, According to the Etymology of the Word ...
... THESIS 1 Predestination is properly, according to the etymology of the word?
Predestination is properly, according to the etymology ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/thesis 1 predestination is properly.htm

Who Teach: that it Cannot Properly be Said that Original Sin in ...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Paragraph 1 Who teach: That it cannot
properly be said that original sin in itself suffices to? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/paragraph 1 who teach that 3.htm

Whether this Name "Father" is Properly the Name of a Divine Person ...
... OF THE PERSON OF THE FATHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether this name "Father"
is properly the name of a divine person? Objection 1: It ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this name father is.htm

Whether Order is Properly Defined?
... HOLY ORDERS (QQ -40) Whether Order is properly defined? ... But power properly denotes
active potentiality, together with some kind of preeminence. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether order is properly defined.htm

Whether the Grades of the Orders are Properly Assigned?
... OF THE ANGELIC DEGREES OF HIERARCHIES AND ORDERS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
the grades of the orders are properly assigned? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the grades of the.htm

Whether Fortitude is Properly About Dangers of Death in Battle?
... TREATISE ON FORTITUDE AND TEMPERANCE (QQ -170) cOF FORTITUDE (TWELVE ARTICLES)
Whether fortitude is properly about dangers of death in battle? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is properly about.htm

Whether "Likeness" is Properly Distinguished from "Image"?
... THE END OR TERM OF THE PRODUCTION OF MAN (NINE ARTICLES) Whether "likeness"
is properly distinguished from "image"? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether likeness is properly distinguished.htm

Properly (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly
applied; a dress properly adjusted. ...Properly (11 Occurrences). ...
/p/properly.htm - 9k

Guard (185 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews tabbah (properly a "cook, " and in a secondary
sense "executioner, " because this office fell to the lot of the cook in ...
/g/guard.htm - 55k

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... In the time of Ezra (9:2) and Nehemiah (2:16; 4:14; 13:11) the Jewish magistrates
were called seganim, properly meaning "nobles." In the New Testament the ...
/m/magistrate.htm - 15k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... grapes."). (6.) Mesekh, properly a mixture of wine and water with spices
that increase its stimulating properties (Isaiah 5:22). ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

Oak (22 Occurrences)
... AV marg. and RV, "among the oaks"); 61:3 ("trees"). The word properly means
strongly, mighty, and hence a strong tree. (2.) `Elah ...
/o/oak.htm - 33k

Joy (422 Occurrences)
... The commonest is simchah (1 Samuel 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English
Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be ...
/j/joy.htm - 48k

Jubal (1 Occurrence)
... He was the inventor of "the harp" (Hebrews kinnor, properly "lyre") and "the organ"
(Hebrews `ugab, properly "mouth-organ" or Pan's pipe), Genesis 4:21. Int. ...
/j/jubal.htm - 7k

Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... lamp'-stand (nir, ner, lappidh, Phoenician lampadh, whence lampas; luchnos is also
used): Ner or nir is properly "light" or "a light-giving thing," hence, "lamp ...
/l/lampstand.htm - 24k

Lamp (45 Occurrences)
... lamp'-stand (nir, ner, lappidh, Phoenician lampadh, whence lampas; luchnos is also
used): Ner or nir is properly "light" or "a light-giving thing," hence, "lamp ...
/l/lamp.htm - 28k

Grove (23 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews `asherah, properly a wooden image, or a
pillar representing Ashtoreth, a sensual Canaanitish goddess, probably usually ...
/g/grove.htm - 16k

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