The term "strict" in a biblical context often refers to the adherence to rules, laws, or principles with precision and exactness. This concept is evident throughout Scripture, where God’s laws and commandments are given with the expectation of careful observance. The Bible presents both divine and human examples of strictness, emphasizing the importance of obedience, discipline, and the consequences of deviation from God's commands.

Divine Strictness

God's nature is depicted as holy and just, requiring strict adherence to His commandments. In Deuteronomy 28:1-2 , the Israelites are promised blessings for strict obedience: "Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God."

The strictness of God’s law is further illustrated in the account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by fire as a result (Leviticus 10:1-2). This incident underscores the seriousness with which God views His commands and the expectation of strict compliance.

Human Examples of Strictness

The Apostle Paul is a prominent example of strictness in the New Testament. Before his conversion, Paul, then known as Saul, was a Pharisee who strictly adhered to the Jewish law. In Philippians 3:5-6 , Paul describes his former life: "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness under the Law, faultless."

After his conversion, Paul’s strictness was redirected towards the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of living a disciplined Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 , he writes, "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Strictness in Teaching and Leadership

The Bible also highlights the importance of strictness in teaching and leadership. James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." This passage indicates that those in positions of authority and instruction are held to a higher standard, reflecting the gravity of their influence and responsibility.

In the pastoral epistles, Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to maintain strict adherence to sound doctrine and to rebuke those who contradict it (1 Timothy 4:16, Titus 1:13). This strictness ensures the purity and integrity of the church’s teaching and practice.

Consequences of Laxity

The Bible warns of the dangers of laxity and the failure to adhere strictly to God’s commands. In Matthew 7:13-14 , Jesus speaks of the narrow gate: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." This metaphor illustrates the strictness required to follow the path of righteousness, contrasting it with the ease of the path leading to destruction.

In summary, the concept of strictness in the Bible is closely associated with obedience, discipline, and the faithful observance of God’s commands. It serves as a reminder of the holiness and justice of God, the responsibilities of leadership, and the importance of living a life that aligns with divine principles.1. (a.) Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace; a strict ligature.

2. (a.) Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber.

3. (a.) Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention.

4. (a.) Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath.

5. (a.) Rigidly; interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted; as, to understand words in a strict sense.

6. (a.) Upright, or straight and narrow; -- said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.

840. austeros -- harsh, severe
... harsh, severe. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: austeros Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-stay-ros') Short Definition: grim, severe, strict, exacting Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/840.htm - 6k

196. akribestatos -- exact, precise.
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akribestatos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-ree-bes'-ta-tos) Short Definition: most exact, strict Definition: most exact ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/196.htm - 6k

3811. paideuo -- to train children, to chasten, correct
... 3811 (from 3816 , "a child under development with strict training") -- properly,
to up a child (3816 ), so they and realize their (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3811.htm - 8k

4748. stoicheo -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule
... walk by. 4748 (from , "a , , or ") -- properly, walk , in strict accordance
to a particular pace ("stride");, "keep in step.". Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4748.htm - 7k

3852. paraggelia -- an instruction, a command
... Word Origin from paraggello Definition an instruction, a command NASB Word Usage
command (2), commandments (1), instruction (1), strict orders (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3852.htm - 7k

2058. hermeneia -- interpretation
... interpretation, explanation. 2058 -- an , giving the of a message rather than
a strict ; an , rather than a "word-for-word" rendering. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2058.htm - 6k

3807. paidagogos -- a trainer of boys, ie a tutor
... 3807 (from 3816 , "a child under development by strict instruction") -- properly,
a , authorized to train (bring) up a child by administering discipline ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3807.htm - 7k

2048. eremos -- solitary, desolate
... The shows Himself strong in the "limiting" (difficult) scenes of life. [2048 ()
in the strict sense expresses a (not merely "sparse vegetation"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2048.htm - 8k

4183. polus -- much, many
... numerous (1), most (8), most people's (1), much (50), often (1), plentiful (2),
quite (2), several (1), some (1), something greater (2), strict (1), terrible (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4183.htm - 9k

2742b. charuts -- strict decision
... charuts. 2742c . strict decision. Transliteration: charuts Short Definition: decision. ...
part. of charats Definition strict decision NASB Word Usage decision (2) ...
/hebrew/2742b.htm - 5k

He was a Strict and Severe Applier of all Things to Himself
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 55 He was a strict and severe applier of all things to
himself. He was a strict and severe applier of all things ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/55 he was a strict.htm

Of those who Introduced the Plan that the Holy Lessons Should be ...
... Of those who introduced the plan that the holy Lessons should be read in the Coenobia
while the brethren are eating, and of the strict silence which is kept ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii of those who.htm

Sermon on the Mount Continued Its Woes in Strict Agreement with ...
... Jesus is the Christ of the Creator. Chapter XV."Sermon on the Mount Continued
Its Woes in Strict Agreement with the Creator's Disposition. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xv sermon on the mount.htm

The Gratuity of Actual Grace
... {GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}) Ethics and theology clearly distinguish two kinds of
merit: (1) condign merit,(408) which is merit in the strict sense (meritum ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 the gratuity of.htm

The Objects of Merit
... The expression "vere mereri" shows that all three of these objects can be merited
in the true and strict sense of the term (de condigno). ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the objects of.htm

The Fruits of Justification, or the Merit of Good Works
... Ethics and theology distinguish two kinds of merit: (1) condign merit or merit in
the strict sense of the term (meritum adaequatum sive de condigno), and (2 ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/chapter iii the fruits of.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... 1. In the most strict and proper sense, moral obligation extends to moral actions
only. 2. Strictly speaking, involuntary states of mind are not moral actions. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture iv foundation of moral.htm

Chapter xxii.
... For the expression used, "whatsoever ye would," ought to be understood as
used not in a customary and random, but in a strict sense. ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xxii 2.htm

Of the Example of the Holy Fathers
... eternal. O how strict and retired a life was that of the holy fathers who
dwelt in the desert! ... God! what strict fasts did they endure! ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xviii of the example.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... For, in the exercise of benevolence to his innocent creature, God delivered the
law without regard to Christ, yet of strict justice requiring obedience, with ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Strict (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Strained; drawn close; tight; as, a strict embrace;
a strict ligature. 2. (a.) Tense; not relaxed; as, a strict fiber. ...
/s/strict.htm - 9k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... William Samuel Bishop LUTHERAN DOCTRINE 1. Definition of Terms: Regeneration is
here taken in its strict meaning to denote that internal spiritual change, not ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... William Samuel Bishop LUTHERAN DOCTRINE 1. Definition of Terms: Regeneration is
here taken in its strict meaning to denote that internal spiritual change, not ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Loose (219 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Not strict in matters of morality; not rigid according to some standard
of right. ... 15. (v.) To relax; to loosen; to make less strict. 16. ...
/l/loose.htm - 38k

Injunctions (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Injunctions (5 Occurrences). Matthew 12:16 But He gave
them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings, (WEY). ...
/i/injunctions.htm - 7k

Moderately (1 Occurrence)
... It is thus more truly just than strict justice would have been; no Latin word exactly
and adequately renders it; clementia sets forth one side of it, aequitas ...
/m/moderately.htm - 10k

Blue (51 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Severe or over strict in morals; gloom; as, blue and sour religionists;
suiting one who is over strict in morals; inculcating an impracticable ...
/b/blue.htm - 26k

Close (186 Occurrences)
... 29. (vt) Parsimonious; stingy. 30. (vt) Adhering strictly to a standard
or original; exact; strict; as, a close translation. 31. ...
/c/close.htm - 39k

Strictly (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a strict manner; closely; precisely.
Multi-Version Concordance Strictly (19 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/s/strictly.htm - 11k

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

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