Unfit
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The term "unfit" in a biblical context often refers to a state of being unsuitable or inadequate for a particular purpose, especially in relation to spiritual or moral standards. The Bible addresses the concept of being unfit in various ways, often highlighting the need for spiritual readiness and moral integrity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of being unfit is frequently associated with ritual purity and the requirements for worship. For example, Leviticus outlines numerous laws regarding cleanliness and uncleanliness, which determine whether an individual is fit to participate in religious ceremonies. Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy." This underscores the importance of being spiritually and morally fit to approach God.

The prophets also speak to the concept of being unfit, often in terms of moral and spiritual corruption. Isaiah 1:13-17 criticizes the people for their empty rituals, emphasizing that their hearts and actions make them unfit for true worship: "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me... Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts more towards spiritual fitness in the context of the Kingdom of God. Jesus often spoke about the readiness required to enter the Kingdom. In Luke 9:62 , Jesus says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." This highlights the necessity of commitment and perseverance in the Christian life.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of being unfit, particularly in his letters to the early churches. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 , Paul 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." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and moral integrity to remain fit for ministry and service.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently teaches that being unfit is not merely a matter of external actions but is deeply rooted in the condition of the heart. In Romans 1:28 , Paul describes those who have rejected God, stating, "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This passage illustrates the consequences of spiritual unfitness, which leads to moral decay and separation from God.

The call to fitness is a call to holiness and righteousness, achievable through faith in Jesus Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of being unfit serves as a reminder to continually examine their lives in light of God's standards. It calls for a commitment to spiritual growth, moral integrity, and readiness to serve God and others. The pursuit of fitness in the Christian life involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the life of the church, all of which contribute to a life that is pleasing to God and effective in His service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To make unsuitable or incompetent; to deprive of the strength, skill, or proper qualities for anything; to disable; to incapacitate; to disqualify; as, sickness unfits a man for labor; sin unfits us for the society of holy beings.

2. (a.) Not fit; unsuitable.

Greek
370. anaxios -- unworthy
... to the top" and 514 , "worth, as it corresponds to real value") -- properly, tested
and , ie not equal to the task; unworthy (unfit, inappropriate), falling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/370.htm - 7k

2520. katheko -- to be proper or fitting
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katheko Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ay'-ko) Short
Definition: it is fitting Definition: I come down, come to; I am unfit, proper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2520.htm - 6k

4509. rhupos -- filth
... 4509 (a masculine noun) -- properly, "grease-filth," soiling all it touches;
(figuratively) uncleanness that results from doing what is morally unfit, ie what ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4509.htm - 6k

Library

The Poets are Unfit to be Religious Teachers.
... Chapter II"The poets are unfit to be religious teachers. Whom, then, ye men
of Greece, do ye call your teachers of religion? The poets? ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter iithe poets are unfit.htm

Cheating and Dishonest Ways of Making Money are Utterly Unfit for ...
... Book III. Chapter IX. Cheating and dishonest ways of making money are utterly
unfit for clerics whose duty is? Cheating and dishonest ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix cheating and dishonest.htm

Whether Husband and Wife are Mutually Bound to the Payment of the ...
... Therefore it would seem allowable to refuse the one who asks. Objection 3: Further,
it is a sin to render oneself unfit to fulfill an obligation of precept. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether husband and wife are.htm

Whether Impotence is an Impediment to Marriage?
... Quod Sedem): "Just as a boy who is incapable of marital intercourse is unfit to
marry, so also those who are impotent are deemed most unfit for the marriage ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether impotence is an impediment.htm

Superiors Ought Carefully to Examine the Dispositions of those ...
... 4. Let the best care that is possible be used, notwithstanding some unfit persons
will, through easiness, partial affection, or other respects in the examiners ...
/.../chapter viii superiors ought carefully.htm

Cholera, 1866
... Their sickness, their deaths, are God's judgment on that act of theirs, whereby
God says to men,"You shall not drink water unfit for even dumb animals; and ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon xvii cholera 1866.htm

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
... with any other subject. If that is the case, he is in an unfit frame to
be addressed on the subject of religion. In proportion to ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture x to win souls.htm

The Potter and the Clay
... his hand, and turned round the wheel, in order to work it into some particular form,
"it was marred in the hands of the potter," and consequently unfit for the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the potter and the clay.htm

Whether a Man's Evidence Can be Rejected Without any Fault of His?
... for some fault. Objection 3: Further, no man is rendered unfit for things
necessary for salvation except by some sin. But it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a mans evidence can.htm

Whether Wife-Murder is an Impediment to Marriage?
... voids the contract, as when a man kills his wife in order to marry her with whom
he has committed adultery, for then the law declares him simply unfit to marry ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether wife-murder is an impediment.htm

Thesaurus
Unfit (3 Occurrences)
...Unfit (3 Occurrences). ... And if you are the court before which the world is to be
judged, are you unfit to deal with these petty matters? (WEY). ...
/u/unfit.htm - 7k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... A mere snub-nose can scarcely be regarded as a blemish of sufficient importance
to unfit a priest for the service of "offering the bread of God"; but harelip ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Weed (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Fig.: Something unprofitable or troublesome; anything useless. 7. (n.) An
animal unfit to breed from. ... (vt) To reject as unfit for breeding purposes. ...
/w/weed.htm - 8k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... A mere snub-nose can scarcely be regarded as a blemish of sufficient importance
to unfit a priest for the service of "offering the bread of God"; but harelip ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Hawk (6 Occurrences)
... The abomination lists of Leviticus 11:16 and Deuteronomy 14:15 each include hawks
in a general term and specify several species as unfit for food. ...
/h/hawk.htm - 14k

Nurse (23 Occurrences)
... or the like. 3. (n.) A lieutenant or first officer, who is the real commander
when the captain is unfit for his place. 4. (n.) A ...
/n/nurse.htm - 17k

Unflinching (1 Occurrence)

/u/unflinching.htm - 6k

Unfinished (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfinished.htm - 6k

Offal (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A dead body; carrion. 3. (n.) That which is thrown away as worthless or
unfit for use; refuse; rubbish. Multi-Version Concordance Offal (6 Occurrences). ...
/o/offal.htm - 8k

Owl (11 Occurrences)
... It is given place in the Bible because it was considered unfit for food and because
people dreaded the cries of every branch of the numerous family. ...
/o/owl.htm - 18k

Resources
What is Donatism? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it says something is unclean? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view Planned Parenthood? | GotQuestions.org

Unfit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unfit (3 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 6:2
Do you not know that God's people will sit in judgement upon the world? And if you are the court before which the world is to be judged, are you unfit to deal with these petty matters?
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
(See RSV)

Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Unfit

Related Terms

Unfold (1 Occurrence)

Unfit (3 Occurrences)

Firmly (47 Occurrences)

Forehead (23 Occurrences)

Promises (35 Occurrences)

Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Unfinished Conquest
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