The term "worthily" in the biblical context often refers to conducting oneself in a manner that is fitting or appropriate to one's calling or status as a believer in Christ. It implies living in a way that reflects the values and teachings of the Christian faith, demonstrating integrity, honor, and respect for God's commandments.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Worthy Conduct in the Christian Life: The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to live worthily of their calling. In Ephesians 4:1 , Paul urges, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received." This passage emphasizes the importance of aligning one's life with the high calling of being a follower of Christ, which includes humility, gentleness, patience, and love.

2. Worthy of the Gospel: In Philippians 1:27 , Paul writes, "Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Here, the focus is on living in a way that honors the message of the gospel, demonstrating unity and steadfastness in faith, even in the face of opposition.

3. Worthy of the Lord: Colossians 1:10 states, "so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." This verse highlights the goal of pleasing God through fruitful living and spiritual growth, reflecting the character of Christ in daily actions.

4. Worthy of the Kingdom: In 2 Thessalonians 1:5 , Paul speaks of being "counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering." This reference to worthiness is connected to enduring trials and persecution for the sake of God's kingdom, suggesting that such endurance is a testament to one's faith and commitment.

5. Worthy Participation in the Lord's Supper: In 1 Corinthians 11:27 , Paul warns, "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord." This admonition underscores the need for self-examination and reverence when partaking in the Lord's Supper, ensuring that one's heart and actions are aligned with the sacredness of the sacrament.

Theological Implications

Living worthily is not about achieving perfection but about striving to reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in one's life. It involves a continuous process of sanctification, where believers seek to embody the virtues and character of Christ. This pursuit of worthiness is rooted in gratitude for the grace received through salvation and a desire to honor God in all aspects of life.

Practical Application

Believers are called to examine their lives regularly, seeking to align their thoughts, words, and deeds with the teachings of Scripture. This involves cultivating virtues such as love, humility, and patience, and actively participating in the life of the church and community. By doing so, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel and bring glory to God through their lives.(adv.) In a worthy manner; excellently; deservedly; according to merit; justly; suitably; becomingly.516. axios -- worthily
... worthily. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: axios Phonetic Spelling:
(ax-ee'-oce) Short Definition: worthily, in a manner worthy of Definition: worthily ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/516.htm - 6k

How do they that Worthily Communicate in the Lord's Supper Feed ...
... Question 170: How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's Supper
feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein? Answer: As ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 170 0 0 how do they.htm

Blessed is He who Atoned Your Sins, that Ye Might Receive his Body ...
... Hymn VII. Blessed is He Who atoned your sins, that ye might receive His
Body worthily! (Resp."Blessed is He Who atoned your sins ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii blessed is he.htm

Fourth Sunday in Lent. Grant, we Beseech Thee, Almighty God, that ...
... Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily
deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/fourth sunday in lent grant.htm

The Fourth Chapter: Many Blessings are Given those who Receive ...
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Fourth Chapter: Many Blessings
Are Given Those Who Receive Communion Worthily. The Disciple ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fourth chapter many blessings.htm

The Son Alone Knows How to Praise the Father Worthily. In Christ ...
... Argument IV."The Son Alone Knows How to Praise the Father Worthily. In Christ and
by Christ Our Thanksgivings Ought to Be Rendered to the Father. ...
/.../argument iv the son alone knows.htm

Other Objections Considered God's Condescension in the Incarnation ...
... Nothing Derogatory to the Divine Being in This Economy. The Divine Majesty Worthily
Sustained by the Almighty Father, Never Visible to Man. ...
/.../chapter xxvii other objections considered gods.htm

St. Michael and all Angels. Are they not all Ministering Spirits ...
... Who Thy threatened Church defend,. Who can offer worthily,. Lord of angels, praise
to Thee! ... Lord, who then can worthily. For such goodness honour Thee! ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st michael and all angels.htm

Colossians i. 9, 10
... cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; to walk worthily of the ...
/.../homily ii colossians i 9.htm

Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ...
... of the whole Church throughout the world, both that which now is and that which
shall be, should meet together, they would not be able worthily to sing the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vi concerning the unity.htm

Of the Sovereign Praise which God Gives unto Himself, and How we ...
... And finally, we learn that he cannot be praised according to his worth save only
by himself, who alone can worthily match his sovereign goodness with sovereign ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii of the sovereign.htm

Worthily (8 Occurrences)
...Worthily (8 Occurrences). ... Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg
you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, (WEB ASV YLT). ...
/w/worthily.htm - 9k

Walk (315 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of
the calling with which you were called, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). ...
/w/walk.htm - 39k

Walking (189 Occurrences)
... Colossians 1:10 to your walking worthily of the Lord to all pleasing, in every good
work being fruitful, and increasing to the knowledge of God, (YLT). ...
/w/walking.htm - 37k

Lead (192 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk
worthily of the calling with which you were called, (See RSV). ...
/l/lead.htm - 42k

Calling (145 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of
the calling with which you were called, (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/calling.htm - 38k

Valiantly (9 Occurrences)
... The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!" (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV).
Proverbs 31:29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. ...
/v/valiantly.htm - 10k

Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... 10 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthy"), and the adverb "virtuously"
in Proverbs 31:29 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthily"), in each ...
/v/virtue.htm - 16k

Urging (10 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Thessalonians 2:12 to the end that you should walk worthily of
God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. (See NIV). ...
/u/urging.htm - 9k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk
worthily of the calling with which you were called, (See NIV). ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Labouring (18 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:27 Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the Christ,
in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of what ...
/l/labouring.htm - 11k

What was Jesus' message to the church in Sardis in Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

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