Some Principles of Christian Ethics

PrincipleMeaningSupporting Scriptures
IntentIntent or spirit of a law exceeds its letter.Mark 2:27; Ex 23:12; Luke 13:15; 14:5.
MercyMercy is godlier than ceremony or law.Matt 12:7; Pro 21:3; Hos 6:6; Is 58:6; Matt 23:23; Luke 13:15; 14:5; Pr 11:17.
SufferingYour loss or pain does not determine action.I Cor 6:7; Matt 5:38-48; I Pet 2:18-20; Prov 19:11; 11:24-26; 20:14.
IgnoranceYou need not know all details/exceptions.I Cor 10:25,27; 1:10-11.
MaterialityInsignificant amounts do not violate a law.Deut 23:24-25; Matt 5:39-42; 12:1; I Cor 5:9-10; 10:27; Tit 2:10; II Cor 8:21.
SpecificityA specific law overrides general provisions.Ex 20:13; 21:12; II Chr 19:5-11; Matt 12:5; Jn 7:21-24; Acts 4:19; 5:29.
AcceptanceMan’s laws are known by their acceptance.Matt 22:17-22; Acts 22:24-30; 25:9-12.
OffenceWe avoid offending all parties if possible.I Cor 10:32; Matt 17:24-27; Rom 12:17; I Cor 6:12; Matt 15:12-14.
PrudenceDiscretion may be better than open valor.Pr 22:3; 27:12; 28:12,28; I Sam 25:19; Acts 9:23-25.
TemptingDo not presume God to do what you should.Matt 4:5-7; Deut 6:16; Ps 127:1-2.
PassionHuman passion will alter human judgment.Deut 19:6; Ex 22:2-3; Num 5:11-31; Pr 16:32; 25:28; 14:29; 19:11; Eph 4:26.
AuthorityAuthority is to be followed up to clear laws.Rom 13:1-2; Matt 23:1-3; 22:15-22; Num 30:1-16; Acts 5:29; I Pet 2:18-20.
ConscienceGod gave conscience for internal guidance.Rom 14:23; Pr 20:27; Rom 2:14-15; John 8:1-11; I Cor 10:23-33; 8:7; 6:12.
LibertyDo as you prefer where scripture is silent.Gal 5:13; Rom 14:22-23; I Cor 6:12; Num 30:1-16; Heb 13:7.
JubileeFor severe controversies, wipe slates clean.Lev 25:9-10; Pr 19:11; I Cor 6:7.
CarefulnessChoose among options to minimize care.I Cor 7:29-33; Matt 19:10-12; I Cor 7:7-9,26.
PrecedenceEarlier or known tendencies alter judgment.Ex 21:29; I Kgs 2:5-6,8-9,19-25.
BreastsGod uses rulers to subsidize His church.Is 49:23; Ezra 7:27-28; Prov 21:1; Acts 25:11.
IncidentalAllow incidental / indirect contact with sin.II Kgs 5:18-19; Eccl 7:16-17; Matt 12:7; John 7:24; I Cor 8:10; I Sam 21:10.
AppearanceChoice of action must include perception.I Thes 5:22; Rom 12:17; II Cor 8:21; Ex 23:7; Pr 4:14-15; Mat 17:24-27; 5:16.
WidowsNever afflict, frighten, or neglect the needy.Ex 22:22-24; Lev 19:13; Deut 24:14-15; Jas 1:27.
MarketGodly sell or buy at market in many cases.Pr 11:24-26; 20:14; Gen 23:7-16; II Sam 24:20-24.
Over MuchMore conservative than scripture is profane.Eccl 7:16-17; Acts 26:5; Matt 12:7; Col 2:16-23; I Sam 15:23.
Faith - RestGod only expects your reasonable best.Ps 127:1-2; Rom 14:23; II Sam 24:1-3; I Sam 14:6; II Chr 14:11; 16:12.
WitnessesOne is not enough; two or three required.Deut 19:15; 17:6; Matt 18:16; I Tim 5:19; II Cor 13:1; John 8:17.
DiscriminateBelievers get greater liberality and mercy.Gal 6:10; Lev 25:39-46; Matt 25:40; Rom 15:26; I John 3:13-19.
Golden RuleDo to others as you want them to do to you.Matt 7:12; Luke 6:31; Rom 13:8-10.
TemptationChoices should usually reduce temptation.Rom 13:14; Heb 12:1; I Cor 15:33; Pr 30:7-9; 22:24-25; 5:8-13; Matt 5:27-30.
Saving LifePreservation of life trumps most other rules.Mark 3:4; Ex 1:15-21; 21:22-25; Num 35:26-28; Job 2:4-5.
ResultsResults good or bad are not wise indicators.Prov 1:32; Num 20:7-12; Psalm 73; Psalm 50.