Topical Bible: Rightly

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "rightly" in the context of the Bible often pertains to the correct understanding, interpretation, or application of God's Word and His principles. It is a concept that underscores the importance of truth, justice, and righteousness in the life of a believer.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth: One of the most notable uses of the term "rightly" is found in 2 Timothy 2:15, where the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth" . The phrase "accurately handles" is often translated as "rightly dividing" in other versions, emphasizing the need for careful and correct interpretation of Scripture. This involves understanding the context, discerning the intended message, and applying it appropriately to one's life.

2. Judging Rightly: In John 7:24, Jesus admonishes, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly" . Here, "justly" can be understood as "rightly," highlighting the necessity of making judgments based on truth and righteousness rather than superficial or biased criteria. This aligns with the biblical call for believers to exercise discernment and wisdom in their judgments.

3. Rightly Understanding God's Nature: Throughout Scripture, there is an emphasis on knowing God rightly. This involves recognizing His attributes, such as His holiness, justice, love, and mercy. In Jeremiah 9:24, the Lord declares, "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things," declares the LORD" . Understanding God rightly leads to a deeper relationship with Him and a life that reflects His character.

4. Living Rightly: The Bible calls believers to live in a manner that is consistent with God's standards. In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul exhorts, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" . Living rightly involves making choices that honor God, reflect His wisdom, and make the most of the opportunities He provides.

Theological Implications

The concept of "rightly" is deeply rooted in the pursuit of truth and righteousness. It is a call to align one's life with God's will and to seek His guidance in all matters. This pursuit is not merely intellectual but is also practical, affecting how believers live, make decisions, and interact with others. The ability to rightly divide the Word of Truth and to judge justly is seen as a mark of spiritual maturity and faithfulness.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to "rightly" handle the Word and live according to God's standards is both a privilege and a responsibility. It requires diligent study of Scripture, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to living out one's faith in everyday life. By doing so, believers can ensure that their lives are a testimony to the truth and power of the Gospel, bringing glory to God and edification to the body of Christ.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (adv.) Straightly; directly; in front.

2. (adv.) According to justice; according to the divine will or moral rectitude; uprightly; as, duty rightly performed.

3. (adv.) Properly; fitly; suitably; appropriately.

4. (adv.) According to truth or fact; correctly; not erroneously; exactly.

Greek

3723. orthos -- rightly
... orthos. 3724 . rightly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: orthos Phonetic
Spelling: (or-thoce') Short Definition: rightly Definition: rightly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3723.htm - 6k

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

3718. orthotomeo -- to cut straight
... Phonetic Spelling: (or-thot-om-eh'-o) Short Definition: I cut straight, handle
correctly Definition: I cut straight; met: I handle correctly, teach rightly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3718.htm - 7k

2573. kalos -- well
... well. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: kalos Phonetic Spelling: (kal-oce')
Short Definition: well, nobly, rightly Definition: well, nobly, honorably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2573.htm - 7k

2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 4), more (1), motives (1), natural* (1), off (2), one* (2), outwardly* (1), over
(3), private* (1), privately* (7), reference (1), rightly* (1), standpoint (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

2095. eu -- well
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: eu Phonetic Spelling: (yoo) Short Definition:
well, well done Definition: well, well done, good, rightly; also used as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2095.htm - 6k

225. aletheia -- truth
... Word Origin from alethes Definition truth NASB Word Usage certainly* (2),
most (1), rightly* (1), truly* (2), truth (104). truth. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/225.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

3651. ken -- so, thus
... From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually
(as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to ...
/hebrew/3651.htm - 6k

6664. tsedeq -- rightness, righteousness
... 1), fairly (1), just (10), just cause (1), justice (3), righteous (15), righteously
(6), righteousness (76), righteousness' (1), rightly (1), vindication (1 ...
/hebrew/6664.htm - 6k

4339. meshar -- evenness, uprightness, equity
... Word Origin from yashar Definition evenness, uprightness, equity NASB Word Usage
equity (8), peaceful arrangement (1), right things (1), rightly (1), sincerity ...
/hebrew/4339.htm - 6k

3588. ki -- that, for, when
... as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how,
(because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since ...
/hebrew/3588.htm - 7k

Library

Whether the Acts of the Orders are Rightly Assigned in the Text?
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF ORDERS, OF THEIR ACTS, AND THE IMPRINTING OF THE CHARACTER
(FIVE ARTICLES) Whether the acts of the Orders are rightly assigned in the text ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the acts of the 2.htm

Whether Adoption is Rightly Defined?
... OF LEGAL RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether adoption
is rightly defined? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether adoption is rightly defined.htm

Whether Consanguinity is Rightly Defined?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF CONSANGUINITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether consanguinity is
rightly defined? Objection 1: It would seem that consanguinity ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether consanguinity is rightly defined.htm

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... THE BOOK OF JOB THE PEACEABLE FRUITS OF SORROWS RIGHTLY BORNE. 'Behold,
happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm

Whether Four Things are Rightly Reckoned as to be Loved Out of ...
... OF THE OBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether four things are rightly
reckoned as to be loved out of charity, viz. God, our ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether four things are rightly.htm

Whether Five Expressions of Will are Rightly Assigned to the ...
... THE WILL OF GOD (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether five expressions of will are
rightly assigned to the divine will? Objection 1: It seems ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether five expressions of will.htm

The Holy Spirit is Rightly Called the Ointment of Christ...
... Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on the Holy Spirit. To the Emperor Gratian. Book I. Chapter
IX. The Holy Spirit is rightly called the ointment of Christ? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix the holy spirit.htm

The Mind Loves God in Rightly Loving Itself; and if it Love not ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 14."The Mind Loves God in Rightly Loving Itself; And
If It Love Not God, It Must Be Said to Hate Itself. Even ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 14 the mind loves god.htm

Whether Gratuitous Grace is Rightly Divided by the Apostle?
... OF THE DIVISION OF GRACE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether gratuitous grace is rightly
divided by the Apostle? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether gratuitous grace is rightly.htm

Whether Idolatry is Rightly Reckoned a Species of Superstition?
... OF IDOLATRY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether idolatry is rightly reckoned a species
of superstition? Objection 1: It would seem that idolatry ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether idolatry is rightly reckoned.htm

Thesaurus

Rightly (45 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) According to justice; according to the divine will or moral rectitude;
uprightly; as, duty rightly performed. ...Rightly (45 Occurrences). ...
/r/rightly.htm - 19k

Divide (71 Occurrences)
... more literal translation of 2 Timothy 2:15, "handling aright the word of truth"
(note "holding a straight course in the way of truth" or "rightly dividing the ...
/d/divide.htm - 31k

Bolster (7 Occurrences)
... It is rightly rendered in Revised Version "at his head." In Genesis 28:11, 18 the
Authorized Version renders it "for his pillows," and the Revised Version ...
/b/bolster.htm - 12k

Anger (387 Occurrences)
... Particularly when it culminates in action is it rightly called Has "wrath." The
Old Testament doctrine of God's anger is contained in many passages in the ...
/a/anger.htm - 54k

Sayest (66 Occurrences)
... sa'-est: "Thou sayest" (Matthew 27:11 Mark 15:2 Luke 22:70, "Ye say"; John 18:37),
ie rightly; "Thou hast said" (Matthew 26:25, 64), = "Yes"; a rabbinical ...
/s/sayest.htm - 26k

Abel (22 Occurrences)
... been suggested that the Septuagint rendering of Genesis 4:7 makes Cain's offense
a ritual one, the offering not being "correctly" made or rightly divided, and ...
/a/abel.htm - 22k

Right (4703 Occurrences)
... In 2 Timothy 2:15 "rightly dividing" (orthotomeo) is changed to "handling aright"
with margin "holding a straight course in the word of truth. ...
/r/right.htm - 14k

Wrong (391 Occurrences)
... of cloth. 7. (adv.) In a wrong manner; not rightly; amiss; morally ill;
erroneously; wrongly. 8. (a.) That which is not right. 9 ...
/w/wrong.htm - 36k

Maintain (50 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 31:9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right
decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. (See RSV). ...
/m/maintain.htm - 21k

Rabbi (51 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 12:32 So the Scribe said to Him, "Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have
you said that He stands alone, and there is none but He; (WEY). ...
/r/rabbi.htm - 22k

Resources

What was Elihu's message to Job? | GotQuestions.org

What is good biblical exegesis? | GotQuestions.org

How does God judge those who were raised in non-Christian cultures and have been taught their entire life that their own religion is correct, and Christianity is wrong? | GotQuestions.org

Rightly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Rightly (45 Occurrences)

Matthew 15:7
You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
(See NAS)

Mark 7:6
"Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites," He replied; "as it is written, "'This People honour Me with their lips, while their hearts are far away from Me:
(WEY NAS)

Mark 12:32
So the Scribe said to Him, "Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you said that He stands alone, and there is none but He;
(WEY)

Luke 7:43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Luke 10:28
And he said to him, 'Rightly thou didst answer; this do, and thou shalt live.'
(YLT)

Luke 20:21
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

John 4:17
"I have no husband," she replied. "You rightly say that you have no husband," said Jesus;
(WEY BBE)

John 8:48
The Jews said to him in answer, Are we not right in saying that you are of Samaria and have an evil spirit?
(See NAS)

John 13:13
You call me 'The Rabbi' and 'The Master,' and rightly so, for such I am.
(WEY NIV)

John 18:23
"If I have spoken wrongly," replied Jesus, "bear witness to it as wrong; but if rightly, why that blow?"
(WEY NAS RSV)

Acts 28:25
When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,
(WEB NAS)

Romans 2:2
We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
(See NAS RSV)

1 Corinthians 11:29
For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright.
(See NAS)

1 Corinthians 11:31
If, however, we estimated ourselves aright, we should not be judged.
(See NAS)

1 Corinthians 14:17
Rightly enough you are giving thanks, and yet your neighbor is not benefited.
(WEY)

Galatians 4:17
They are not rightly zealous after you, but desire to shut you out from us, that ye may be zealous after them.
(DBY)

Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building, rightly joined together, comes to be a holy house of God in the Lord;
(BBE)

Ephesians 4:16
Through whom all the body, being rightly formed and united together, by the full working of every part, is increased to the building up of itself in love.
(BBE)

2 Thessalonians 1:3
It is right for us to give praise to God at all times for you, brothers, because of the great increase of your faith, and the wealth of your love for one another;
(See NIV)

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(KJV WBS YLT RSV)

Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we persuade ourselves that we have a good conscience, in all things desirous to walk rightly.
(DBY)

James 2:8
If, however, you are keeping the Law as supreme, in obedience to the Commandment which says "You are to love your fellow man just as you love yourself," you are acting rightly.
(WEY)

Genesis 27:36
He said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing." He said, "Haven't you reserved a blessing for me?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 10:29
And Moses said, Thou hast spoken rightly: I will see thy face again no more!
(DBY YLT)

Numbers 27:7
Rightly are the daughters of Zelophehad speaking; thou dost certainly give to them a possession of an inheritance in the midst of their father's brethren, and hast caused to pass over the inheritance of their father to them.
(YLT)

Numbers 36:5
And Moses commandeth the sons of Israel, by the command of Jehovah, saying, 'Rightly are the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaking;
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 5:28
Yahweh heard the voice of your words, when you spoke to me; and Yahweh said to me, "I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken to you: they have well said all that they have spoken.
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 18:17
Yahweh said to me, "They have well said that which they have spoken.
(See RSV)

Job 42:7
And it came to pass after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, that Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, Mine anger is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends; for ye have not spoken rightly of me, like my servant Job.
(DBY YLT)

Job 42:8
And now, take for yourselves seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, for ye have not spoken of me rightly, like my servant Job.
(DBY YLT)

Psalms 99:4
The king's power is used for righteousness; you give true decisions, judging rightly in the land of Jacob.
(BBE)

Proverbs 4:26
Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered.
(BBE)

Proverbs 8:16
Through me chiefs have authority, and the noble ones are judging in righteousness.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 11:19
Rightly 'is' righteousness for life, And whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.
(YLT)

Proverbs 13:17
A man taking false news is a cause of trouble, but he who gives news rightly makes things well.
(BBE)

Proverbs 31:9
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
(BBE)

Ecclesiastes 8:10
And I have also seen the wicked buried and going away; and such as had acted rightly went from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city. This also is vanity.
(DBY)

Song of Songs 1:4
Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.
(ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Song of Songs 5:12
His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the water streams, washed with milk, and rightly placed.
(BBE)

Isaiah 33:23
Left have been thy ropes, They strengthen not rightly their mast, They have not spread out a sail, Then apportioned hath been a prey of much spoil, The lame have taken spoil.
(YLT)

Isaiah 56:1
The Lord says, Let your way of life be upright, and let your behaviour be rightly ordered: for my salvation is near, and my righteousness will quickly be seen.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 11:5
And fall upon me doth the Spirit of Jehovah, and He saith unto me, 'Say: Thus said Jehovah: Rightly ye have said, O house of Israel, And the steps of your spirit I have known.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 18:5
But if a man is upright, living rightly and doing righteousness,
(BBE)

Ezekiel 33:10
And thou, son of man, say unto the house of Israel: Rightly ye have spoken, saying: Surely our transgressions and our sins 'are' on us, And in them we are wasting away, How, then, do we live?
(YLT)

Hosea 11:2
They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Rightly

Related Terms

Rights (35 Occurrences)

Rightly (45 Occurrences)

Demon-possessed (16 Occurrences)