The term "rigorous" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of rigor, strictness, or severity can be observed in various biblical contexts, particularly in the laws, commandments, and judgments of God. The Bible often portrays God as a just and holy deity who requires adherence to His commandments and standards.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Law given to Moses is characterized by its rigorous demands. The Mosaic Law, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations, required strict observance by the Israelites. For instance, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) set forth fundamental principles that demanded rigorous adherence. The Israelites were expected to follow these laws meticulously, as failure to do so often resulted in severe consequences.

The rigorous nature of the Law is further exemplified in the sacrificial system. Leviticus outlines detailed instructions for offerings and sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of purity and exactness in worship. Leviticus 19:2 states, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness underscores the rigorous standard to which the Israelites were held.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of rigor is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, intensifies the moral demands of the Law by addressing the heart's intentions rather than merely external compliance. For example, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus expands the commandment against murder to include anger and insult, demonstrating a rigorous interpretation of the Law's moral requirements.

The apostle Paul also addresses the rigorous nature of the Law in his epistles. In Romans 7:12, he writes, "So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good." Paul acknowledges the Law's rigorous standards but also points to the inability of humanity to fulfill them perfectly, highlighting the need for grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Divine Judgment and Rigor

The Bible presents God's judgment as rigorous and just. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a righteous judge who holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions. In the Old Testament, the prophets often warned of impending judgment due to Israel's failure to adhere to God's rigorous standards. For instance, the Babylonian exile is portrayed as a consequence of Israel's persistent disobedience (2 Kings 24:3-4).

In the New Testament, the theme of rigorous divine judgment continues. Jesus speaks of the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46, where He describes the separation of the righteous from the wicked based on their actions. The Book of Revelation also depicts a rigorous judgment, where each person is judged according to their deeds (Revelation 20:12).

Christian Life and Rigor

For Christians, the call to live a life of holiness and obedience remains rigorous. Believers are encouraged to pursue righteousness and sanctification, striving to live according to God's standards. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

The rigorous nature of the Christian life is not meant to be burdensome but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to rely on God's grace and strength to meet the high standards set before them, recognizing that it is through Christ that they are made righteous.1. (a.) Exact; strict; severe; relentless; uncompromising; manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor; allowing no abatement or mitigation; scrupulously accurate; as, a rigorous officer of justice; a rigorous execution of law; a rigorous definition or demonstration.

2. (a.) Severe; intense; inclement; as, a rigorous winter.

3. (a.) Violent.

1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... condition" (full agility, skill, endurance). This is gained only from , rigorous
training (exercise). 1128 () conveys acquiring -- regular ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1128.htm - 7k

The War in Heaven.
... made, because it is made by Jesus Christ our Lord, and its laws are the likeness
of His character; pitiful, because Christ is pitiful; and rigorous, because He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxi the war in.htm

Declaring when Spiritual and Corporal Penances Ought to be Used ...
... to the marking and reproving much their faults, and holding of them for very defective,
for the same reason that they see em go a less rigorous way than ...
/.../chap xv declaring when spiritual.htm

The Great Difference Between External and Internal Penances.
... Know that the Mortifications and Penances which some one undertakes of himself,
are light (although they may be the most rigorous, which hithero have been done ...
/.../chap xvi the great difference.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

The Difference Between the Outward and Inward Man.
... they endeavour mainly to get Vertues, many Abstinences, Maceration of Body, and
Mortification of the Senses: they give themselves to rigorous Penance; they put ...
/.../chap i the difference between.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... that is, He shall rigorously exact of us a due Satisfaction, and Punishment for
every Sin we have been guilty of towards him; if we be so rigorous as to take ...
/.../sermon v luke x the.htm

An Earnest Invitation
... ye reconciled to God." And is this a hard thing we ask of you, that you should be
at friendship with him who is your best friends Is this a rigorous law, like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm

Church and State in New England
... First of all, they provided their members with the approved and accepted essentials
of religious life, and they further exercised a rigorous supervision over ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

The Requisites of Merit
... This rigorous school is constrained to raise the question whether every single good
work, to be supernaturally meritorious, must proceed from an act of divine ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 the requisites of.htm

"The House of Israel"
... Wanting the Spirit and grace of God, they tried to make up for the lack
by a rigorous observance of religious ceremonies and rites. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

Rigorous (2 Occurrences)
... relentless; uncompromising; manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor; allowing
no abatement or mitigation; scrupulously accurate; as, a rigorous officer of ...
/r/rigorous.htm - 7k

Relax (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To make less severe or rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in
respect to strenuousness, earnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to ...
/r/relax.htm - 9k

Strait (14 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Close; intimate; near; familiar. 5. (superl.) Strict; scrupulous;
rigorous. 6. (superl.) Difficult; distressful; straited. ...
/s/strait.htm - 13k

Severe (53 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild
or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment. ...
/s/severe.htm - 23k

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

/r/rigor.htm - 9k

Oppressive (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive
taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law. ...
/o/oppressive.htm - 8k

Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense;
free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law ...
/l/liberal.htm - 12k

Weighty (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Adapted to turn the balance in the mind, or to convince; important;
forcible; serious; momentous. 3. (superl.) Rigorous; severe; afflictive. ...
/w/weighty.htm - 8k

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)
... The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form.
Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. ...
/i/idolatry.htm - 21k

Rigorously (2 Occurrences)

/r/rigorously.htm - 6k

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