Strictness, in a biblical context, often refers to the adherence to rules, laws, or moral codes with a high degree of precision and discipline. This concept is evident throughout Scripture, where God’s laws and commandments are given with the expectation of obedience and reverence.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, strictness is frequently associated with the Law given to Moses. The Israelites were commanded to follow the Law meticulously as a sign of their covenant with God. In Deuteronomy 6:17, it is written, "You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has commanded you." This verse underscores the importance of strict adherence to God’s commands as a demonstration of faithfulness and devotion.

The account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2 illustrates the consequences of failing to adhere strictly to God’s instructions. They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command, and were consumed by fire as a result. This narrative highlights the seriousness with which God views His commandments and the expectation of strict compliance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the concept of strictness in relation to the Pharisees, who were known for their rigid adherence to the Law. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus criticizes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Here, Jesus emphasizes that while strictness in following the Law is important, it should not overshadow the more profound principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of strictness in his letters. In Galatians 3:10, he warns, "All who rely on works of the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" Paul argues that strict adherence to the Law cannot bring salvation, which is only attainable through faith in Jesus Christ.

Application in Christian Life

For Christians, strictness can be seen in the call to live a life of holiness and obedience to God’s Word. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are exhorted, "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.'" This call to holiness requires a disciplined and strict approach to living according to biblical principles.

However, strictness should be balanced with grace and love. Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to "speak the truth in love," suggesting that while truth and adherence to God’s commands are essential, they must be communicated and practiced with compassion and understanding.

Conclusion

While strictness in following God’s commands is a recurring theme in the Bible, it is always framed within the broader context of love, mercy, and faith. The biblical narrative encourages believers to pursue a life of holiness and obedience, while also embracing the grace and love that are central to the Christian faith.(n.) Quality or state of being strict.195. akribeia -- exactness
... exactness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: akribeia Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-ree'-bi-ah) Short Definition: strictness, accuracy Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/195.htm - 6k

The Answer on the Way to Keep Control Over Abstinence.
... consult not the opinions of other people but our own conscience, that interval for
refreshment is sure not to interfere with our proper strictness, if only, as ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxii the answer on.htm

Of Abbot Ch??remon and his Excuse About the Teaching which we ...
... face and on his walk (for though all his limbs had already failed and were dead
yet he had lost none of the severity of his previous strictness) when we humbly ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iv of abbot chaeremon.htm

That those Need not Fear the Neighbourhood of their Kinsfolk, who ...
... But that you may be able fairly to measure the amount of your strength by a certain
test of strictness I will point out to you what was done by a certain old ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix that those need.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... The teaching of the apostles which he gave proof of throughout, or his indifference
to this present life, or the strictness of his virtue, with which he ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

Question on the Religious State
... But strictness of observance is not that which is especially commendable in Religious
life, as S. Antony has already told us, and as is also said in Isaias[497 ...
/.../on prayer and the contemplative life/question clxxxvi on the religious.htm

1 Timothy v. 8
... Strange! what strictness does he require of widows; almost as much as of the Bishop
himself. ... Such was Anna. Such strictness does he require of widows. ...
/.../homily xiv 1 timothy v.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... They are stiff even to moroseness. They are perfect pharisees, and carry everything
to the greatest extremes, so far as outward strictness is concerned. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords 2.htm

James ii. 8-13
... in the outward and formal; who, therefore, among the transgressions of the Law
(which they could not comprehend in its full majesty and strictness) made a ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james ii 13-aug.htm

Of the Founders who Originated the Order of Coenobites.
... and foreigners, and not only those who had accepted the faith of Christ, but even
those who were the leaders of the Church relaxed somewhat of that strictness. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter v of the founders.htm

Epistle xxvi. To Romanus, Guardian (Defensorem).
... Although the law with reason allows not things that come into possession of the
Church to be alienated, yet sometimes the strictness of the rule should be ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxvi to romanus guardian.htm

Strictness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strictness (1 Occurrence). James 3:1 Let not many of you
be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. ...
/s/strictness.htm - 6k

Severity (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity
of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government ...
/s/severity.htm - 9k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Degrees of Strictness in Abstinence: Individuals and sects differ greatly
in the degrees of strictness with which they observe fasts. ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Strictly (19 Occurrences)

/s/strictly.htm - 11k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... of the alpha privitive (negation) and Selge, a Pisidian city whose inhabitants
according to Thayer (New Testament Lexicon) "excelled in strictness of morals ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Theocracy
... is not a Biblical word. The idea, however, is Biblical, and in strictness
of speech exclusively Biblical. The realization of the ...
/t/theocracy.htm - 11k

Rigor (8 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Exactness without allowance, deviation, or indulgence; strictness; as, the
rigor of criticism; to execute a law with rigor; to enforce moral duties ...
/r/rigor.htm - 9k

Religion (23 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Strictness of fidelity in conforming to any practice, as if it were
an enjoined rule of conduct. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/r/religion.htm - 101k

Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... ev-er-last'-ing (olam, `adh; aidios, aionios): "Everlasting," in strictness, is
that which endures forever; either that which has no beginning and will have no ...
/e/everlasting.htm - 68k

Stride (2 Occurrences)

/s/stride.htm - 7k

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