The term "rightfully" pertains to actions, claims, or possessions that are just, proper, or in accordance with divine law and moral principles as outlined in the Bible. It is often associated with justice, righteousness, and the rightful order established by God.

Biblical Context

In the biblical narrative, the concept of rightful ownership and action is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is depicted as just and righteous. The Bible frequently addresses the importance of acting rightfully in accordance with God's commandments and the moral law.

Old Testament

The Old Testament lays a foundation for understanding what is rightfully due to individuals and God. In Deuteronomy 16:20, the Israelites are commanded, "Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you." This verse underscores the importance of justice and rightful action as a prerequisite for receiving God's blessings.

The concept of rightful inheritance is also significant in the Old Testament. In the division of the Promised Land, each tribe of Israel received its rightful portion as ordained by God (Joshua 13-21). This distribution was not merely a matter of human decision but was seen as divinely appointed.

New Testament

In the New Testament, the theme of rightful action is further developed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus emphasizes the importance of righteousness and justice in the Sermon on the Mount, stating, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Here, righteousness is closely linked to rightful living in accordance with God's will.

The apostle Paul also addresses the concept of rightful living in his epistles. In Romans 13:7, he instructs believers to "Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." This passage highlights the importance of fulfilling one's rightful obligations in society.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, acting rightfully is an expression of one's faith and obedience to God. It reflects a commitment to living in harmony with God's established order and moral law. The Bible teaches that God is the ultimate judge who will rightfully reward or punish individuals based on their actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Practical Application

For believers, the call to act rightfully involves a commitment to justice, integrity, and fairness in all aspects of life. This includes personal relationships, business dealings, and interactions within the community. Christians are encouraged to seek God's guidance through prayer and Scripture to discern what is rightfully required in various situations.

In summary, the concept of "rightfully" in the Bible encompasses a broad range of ethical and moral considerations, all rooted in the character of God and His divine law. It calls believers to live in a manner that reflects God's justice and righteousness, ensuring that their actions align with His will.(adv.) According to right or justice.1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... covet, desire, lust after. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, ie Long for
(rightfully or otherwise) -- covet, desire, would fain, lust (after). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1937.htm - 8k

3545. nomimos -- rightly, lawfully
... rightly, lawfully. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: nomimos Phonetic Spelling:
(nom-im'-oce) Short Definition: lawfully Definition: lawfully, rightfully. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3545.htm - 6k

5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage, insult
... steal); (figuratively) to injure, bring loss, especially to damage someone's reputation
(good name, honor); to rob a person of what rightfully belongs to them ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5195.htm - 7k

650. apostereo -- to defraud, deprive of
... 650 (from 575 , "away from" and 4732 , "deprive") -- properly, keep from someone,
ie by (depriving); to cheat, taking away what rightfully belongs to someone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/650.htm - 7k

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... He took the place which was rightfully ours and that is on the cross. He
procured for us the place which was and is rightfully His ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

"He is the Head, and we be his Members. " "Therefore Our Father ...
... nor should not, be His office while He was a labourer; nor also He might not sit
in rest and peace with the Lord till He had won His peace rightfully with His ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter li he is the.htm

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... He was his son by nature and therefore "rightfully to be reckoned as his son." This
explains the Biblical quotation which follows: "Wherefore"--because he was ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

Justification by Faith
... WITH GOD. These, I do not think, are by any means foreign to the text,
or merely imported to it, but belong rightfully to it. You ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/justification by faith.htm

Preface
... The place, where this book is written, is a farm situated in the picturesque county
of Worcester, and it might rightfully have attributed to the effect of the ...
/.../golden/conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/preface.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... Xerxes was at first quite unwilling to submit his claims to the decision of such
a tribunal. The crown was, as he maintained, rightfully his. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

The Real Nature and Purpose of the Old Testament
... were gradually collected and combined the most significant passages and books, and
to these was finally attributed the authority that they now rightfully enjoy ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/ii the real nature and.htm

The Life of Salvian
... Many have called him by another title, which in its present meaning we cannot claim
for him, but which he rightfully enjoyed in its fifth century use. ...
/.../salvian/on the government of god/ii the life of salvian.htm

Writing i. Africanus on the Genealogy in the Holy Gospels. ...
... and mixing of the names both of priestly men, as they think, and royal, was made
properly, [1034] in order that Christ might be shown rightfully to be both ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing i africanus on the.htm

But Nothing was Difficult to them with whom it was Lawful to ...
... And this contention was adjusted most rightfully by Iren??us, [1178] at that time
president of a part of Gaul, so that both parties kept by their own order ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/section x but nothing was.htm

Rightfully (3 Occurrences)
... (adv.) According to right or justice. Multi-Version Concordance Rightfully (3
Occurrences). ... and shall he that is rightfully captive be delivered? (DBY). ...
/r/rightfully.htm - 7k

Rightful (6 Occurrences)

/r/rightful.htm - 8k

Valid (10 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Having legal strength or force; executed with the proper formalities; incapable
of being rightfully overthrown or set aside; as, a valid deed; a valid ...
/v/valid.htm - 9k

Indissoluble (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Incapable of being rightfully broken or dissolved; perpetually binding or
obligatory; firm; stable, as, an indissoluble league or covenant. ...
/i/indissoluble.htm - 7k

Right-hand (3 Occurrences)
Right-hand. Rightfully, Right-hand. Right-handed . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(See NAS). Rightfully, Right-hand. Right-handed . Reference Bible.
/r/right-hand.htm - 7k

Competent (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Qualified; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally fit. 2. (a.)
Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; -- followed by to. ...
/c/competent.htm - 9k

Swan (2 Occurrences)
... have been used for food; when young and tender, of fine flesh and delicious flavor;
so there is no possibility that they were ever rightfully placed among the ...
/s/swan.htm - 8k

Honor (240 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect;
dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high ...
/h/honor.htm - 37k

Joshua (211 Occurrences)
... to the failure to obey the command to "devote" the whole spoil of Jericho, and to
theft by one of the people of treasure which belonged rightfully to Yahweh (7 ...
/j/joshua.htm - 101k

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