Loyalty and commitment within human relationships is important in the life of God's people. It is seen particularly in fidelity within marriage, fulfilling family obligations, honouring vows, dutiful service and trustworthy speech and conduct.
Faithfulness within society
It is important in the life of God's people
Hosea 12:6 The word translated “love” is the Hebrew word “hesed”, which here expresses the loyalty and faithfulness that should characterise the life of God's people. See also Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23 parallel Luke 11:42
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.
It is a reflection of God's faithfulness to his people
Psalm 89:14 See also Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 11:4–5
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.
Faithfulness in marriage
Hebrews 13:4 See also Malachi 2:11, Malachi 2:14–15; Matthew 5:27–28; Exodus 20:14; Ephesians 5:33; 1 Timothy 5:9
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Faithfulness in family relationships
1 Timothy 5:4, 1 Timothy 5:8 See also Genesis 24:47–51 fulfilling family obligations in marriage arrangements; Genesis 47:28–31 fulfilling family obligations regarding burialRuth 1:16–18, Ruth 2:11–12 1 Samuel 2:19 Hannah visits Samuel regularly.Proverbs 31:15, Proverbs 31:21, Proverbs 31:27–28 John 19:25–27 Jesus Christ provides for his mother.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Faithfulness to vows and covenants
Numbers 30:2 Genesis 29:18, Genesis 29:30; Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua 2:14, Joshua 6:25; Joshua 9:15–20 Joshua and the Gibeonites; 1 Samuel 18:3, 1 Samuel 20:8, 1 Samuel 20:42, 1 Samuel 23:16; 1 Kings 20:34 Ben-Hadad and Ahab
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.
Faithfulness in speech
In carrying messages
Proverbs 13:17 See also Proverbs 25:13
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
In telling the truth
In bringing God's word
Jeremiah 23:28 See also 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:15
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.
Faithfulness in conduct
In serving others
3 John 1:5 See also Romans 16:1–2; Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 4:10
Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
In intercession
Romans 1:9–10; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2–4
In giving
2 Corinthians 8:7–11 See also 2 Chronicles 31:5–10; Philippians 4:15–18
But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire. Now finish the work, so that you may complete it with the same eager desire, according to your means.
In handling money
2 Kings 12:13–15 See also 2 Kings 22:7; 2 Chronicles 31:12–15; Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10, Luke 19:17
However, the money brought into the house of the LORD was not used for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets, or any articles of gold or silver for the house of the LORD. Instead, it was paid to those doing the work, and with it they repaired the house of the LORD. No accounting was required from the men who received the money to pay the workmen, because they acted with integrity.
The rarity of true faithfulness
Proverbs 20:6 See also Psalm 12:1–2; Isaiah 57:1; Jeremiah 17:9
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.