OBEY

What is the Biblical Understanding of Obedience?
The English word "obey" translates both Hebrew and Greek words that express parallel ideas: listening and being attentive to someone who possesses authority. Thus, the words suggest an active response to the instruction, not merely an awareness of sound.

For example, consider the following passage: "Then [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, 'All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient'" (Ex. 24:7 RSV).

In the New Testament, the Greek word for "obey" is hupakouo, literally meaning to "hear under." The word picture suggests a student listening under the teacher's authority with a view to obedience. 

Obedience proceeds from: 
  • being exposed to the message; 
  • having confidence in the integrity of the message; 
  • believing the instruction; and, 
  • accepting responsibility for yielding to its demands. 

Obedience must be: 
  • from the heart (Rom. 6:17), i.e., sincerely offered -- not out of false motives; 
  • completely rendered -- partial obedience is no obedience (see 1 Sam. 15:1-23). 
Obedience is doing what the Lord prescribed in the manner authorized and for the purpose specified. Christ is the Author of salvation to the obedient, not the disobedient (Heb. 5:8-9; see Jn. 3:36 ASV). 

Obedience is required of: 
  • men to God (Acts 5:29); 
  • citizens to civil authorities (Rom. 13:1); 
  • children to parents (Eph. 6:1); 
  • Christians to church elders (Heb. 13:17); 
  • wives to husbands (Eph. 5:22ff); 
  • and employees to employers (Eph. 6:5ff). 
All subordinate levels of obedience must be regulated by the supreme will of God (Acts 4:19; 5:28-29).

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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson