Scripture, Ethics, and
Spirituality
Exploring the Interconnectedness
Introduction
How are we to reflect ethically on our lives? And what role does Scripture play in
that reflection? Further, If we want to live fuller, more complete lives, how does
our spiritual life (our beliefs, values, and faith) fit into the way we make ethical
decisions (decisions about what is right and wrong)? In other words, it’s about
how spirituality can guide our actions and help us live a more whole and unified
life.
To answer these questions, we need to think about a few key things:
How we understand God's message (revelation), how we read and interpret the
Bible, do we need to connect moral teachings (right and wrong) with spirituality?
The biblical ethics (what is right and wrong according to the Bible) should come
from a deep, spiritual understanding of God and theology, not just following rules
or isolated verses. It’s about looking at the Bible with a spiritual and thoughtful
approach, considering its deeper meaning.
Misreading the Bible: Ethical Interpretation
Some people sometimes misuse the Bible when talking about right and wrong. It
mentions two main problems:
1. Picking Verses Without Context (Proof-texting):
Some people take a single verse from the Bible and use it to justify their opinions,
without thinking about what the verse means in its original setting. This can lead to
misunderstanding the Bible’s message.
2. Treating the Bible Like a Rulebook:
Others think the Bible is a strict list of do’s and don’ts for every situation. This can lead
to focusing on changing people’s outward actions instead of their hearts. Often, these
interpretations focus too much on personal behavior (like sexual ethics) and ignore
bigger issues like fairness, justice, and helping the poor—topics that are central in
many parts of the Bible.
Some people believe that ethical change is mainly about changing what we do
on the outside, like our actions and behaviors. This way of thinking focuses on
individual behavior, like personal rules about things such as sex, but it often
overlooks broader social issues, like how we treat others in society. This
approach tends to ignore the bigger, collective ethical teachings found in the
Bible, for example, in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament and the
Gospel of Luke (e.g. Amos 2:6-7, 5:10-24; Isaiah 1:12-17, 5:8-24; Mic 2:1-2,3:1-
12; Lk 1:46-55, 4:16-21, 6:20-26).
In these and other ways, Christians fail to understand the nature of Scripture
and are thus prevented from making vital connections between the text,
spirituality and ethics.
The Nature of Biblical Ethics
The Bible has many different kinds of moral teachings. It’s not just a rulebook or a list of
laws. The moral lessons in the Bible come in various forms and are found within
different stories. For example: The Ten Commandments and laws in the Old
Testament (the Torah) are part of a bigger story about creation and God’s promises to
people like Noah, Abraham, and the Israelites. These are found in Exodus 20 (the Ten
Commandments) and Leviticus 19 (various moral laws).
The prophetic writings focus on condemning injustice, but also deal with the
importance of worshiping only one God. For example, in Amos 5:24, the prophet calls
for justice and righteousness to roll like a river.
Wisdom literature offers advice on how to live well in daily life, based on a respect for
both God’s creation and human experience. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are taught to trust in
God for guidance in life. Even though these teachings vary, there are some basic
ethical ideas that run through the Bible, like the command to love.
This command is found in different forms throughout the Bible:
In the Torah, it says to love God and love your neighbor (including strangers).
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says to love God with all your heart, soul, and
strength, and Leviticus 19:18 commands to love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus talks about this same command in the Gospels, but each version adds
something different: Mark 12:28-34 and Matthew 22:34-40 both mention loving
God and your neighbor. In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus takes it further by
commanding to love your enemies. John’s Gospel focuses on loving others the
way Jesus loves us. In John 13:1, 34 and John 15:12, 17, Jesus tells his
followers to love one another as he has loved them, even symbolizing this with the
act of washing their feet (John 13:1-17). So, while the Bible’s teachings about
ethics can be different, they all connect to the idea of love, which is central to both
Jewish and Christian faiths.
Jesus’ message about God’s Kingdom (basileia): Jesus talks about the coming
of God’s Kingdom in the Gospels (like in Mark 1:14-15). This is the beginning of
what we understand as New Testament ethics, focusing on how people should live
in relation to God's reign. Jesus calls for a new way of living and a renewed
community, which includes things like caring for the poor, healing the sick, and
offering forgiveness.
Jesus' actions and teachings: Throughout his ministry, Jesus:
Shares meals with sinners and outcasts (Luke 15:1-2, 19:1-10), Heals the sick and
cares for the poor (Matthew 11:2-6, Luke 7:18-23), Drives out demons (Mark 1:21-
28),Forgives sins (Mark 2:1-12), Draws both men and women into a community of
equals (Mark 15:40-41, Matthew 27:55-56), Creates a new family-like community
beyond traditional family bonds (Mark 3:31-35). These actions show that Jesus’
teachings are about love, forgiveness, and equality, making life better for everyone,
especially the marginalized.
The importance of following Jesus: Jesus’ teachings on love and moral
living are radical and go beyond just rules. For Christians, living ethically
means following Jesus, and this life transformation comes not just from
imitation, but from the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Gospel of John: Unlike the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and
Luke), John doesn’t emphasize the Kingdom of God (basileia) as much.
Instead, John focuses on eternal life through faith in Jesus, highlighting
God’s love shown through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (John 3:16-
21). In John, love is a deeply spiritual experience that connects believers to
God’s divine nature.
Diverse views on the Sabbath: The Bible also shows diversity in how it treats
the Sabbath:
In the Priestly creation story (Genesis 2:2-3), the Sabbath is the highest
or most important point in the process of creation, a day of rest.
Exodus 20:8-11 connects the Sabbath with God's creation and resting,
while Deuteronomy 5:12-15 ties it to the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt.
In the Gospels, Jesus challenges traditional views of the Sabbath, saying
it is meant to be life-giving and should prioritize human need. For
example, in Mark 2:23-3:6, Jesus says, "The Sabbath was made for
man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This shows a shift towards a
more compassionate and flexible approach to ethical living.
In short, Jesus' teachings in the Gospels present a vision of ethics focused on
love, forgiveness, and inclusivity, transforming how people should relate to
each other and to God.
In Matthew's Gospel, it's less clear that Jesus actually breaks the Sabbath. In
Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus is criticized for doing things on the Sabbath that others
consider forbidden, but it's not as straightforward as breaking the law.
Matthew 5:18 says that "not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from
the law until all is accomplished," meaning Jesus upholds the law, but it has a
deeper meaning than just following rules.
Matthew 23:23 shows how Jesus focuses on the heart of the law—justice, mercy,
and faith—rather than strict rule-following, like tithing tiny herbs.
For Matthew, true righteousness comes from both what we believe (spirituality)
and how we live (ethics) (Matthew 5:20). Righteous living includes praying,
trusting in God’s goodness, and following Jesus’ example.
On the other hand, Paul's teachings are different from Matthew's. Paul says
that righteousness now comes "apart from the law" (Romans 3:21).
For Paul, the law only shows how people are stuck in sin and death and can’t
fix things by itself (Romans 5:12-21). Instead, it’s the Holy Spirit that brings
transformation, starting with Jesus' death and resurrection (Romans 8:1-11, 2
Corinthians 3:1-11, Galatians 4:21-5:1).
Paul teaches that Christians are united through baptism, which symbolizes
dying to an old life and rising to a new one in Christ (Romans 6:1-11). For
Paul, baptism also breaks down divisions like race, class, and gender
(Galatians 3:27-29), and the ethical teachings in his letters are rooted in the
gospel message of the cross and resurrection. This affects how Christians
should live, including how they treat food and sexuality (1 Corinthians 6-10, 1
Corinthians 15).
Spirituality as the Foundation of Ethics
The risks of legalism and authoritarianism in ethical theology.
Legalism refers to a strict adherence to laws or rules, often emphasizing
compliance over the spirit or intention behind the rules. In ethical theology, this
approach can lead to rigid, impersonal, and judgmental practices, where rules are
followed without consideration for human relationships, context, or compassion.
Authoritarianism involves imposing rules or moral decisions in a controlling or
dominating way. This risks reducing ethics to commands from an authority figure,
leaving little room for personal discernment or relational understanding.
A relational approach to Ethics shifts the focus from strict rules to relationships
and community. It emphasizes love, mutual respect, and understanding within
human interactions and with God. Instead of seeing morality as following a
checklist of laws, this perspective encourages ethical decisions based on fostering
healthy, just, and loving relationships, as seen in Jesus' emphasis on love for God
and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
In the New Testament letters (epistles), there are many sections of
ethical teachings, often called paraenesis, which means moral or ethical
exhortation. These sections are usually placed toward the end of the
letters, encouraging Christians on how to live out their faith in daily life.
For example, the Letter to the Ephesians concludes with a long section
of practical advice about how the community should live together in unity
and holiness (Ephesians 4:1–6:20).
Some letters, like James, focus entirely on moral exhortation. James
addresses practical issues like social justice and caring for the poor, likely
to counteract misunderstandings of Paul’s teaching that might lead
people to neglect good works (James 1:9-11, James 2:1-7, James 5:1-
6).
Similarly, 1 John emphasizes love within the Christian community. It explains that love
for God is shown through love for others and that forgiveness and growth in love are
essential, even when people fail (1 John 2:3-11, 1 John 3:11-24, 1 John 4:7-21).
In some of the later writings attributed to Paul, like the pastoral letters, the focus shifts
slightly. Instead of the radical calls to action in Paul's earlier letters, these later
writings encourage good Christian behavior that aligns with being respectable citizens
in society. These teachings reflect the changing context of the Church as it became
more established.
Ethics and Spirituality in the New Testament
The ethical teachings (paraenesis) in the New Testament are not stand alone
rules but are deeply connected to spirituality and the life of the community. For
example, in Galatians 5:19-21, Paul contrasts the harmful behaviors that come
from living selfishly ("life in the flesh") with the "fruits of the Spirit" in Galatians
5:22-23 — qualities like love, joy, peace, and patience. These are both ethical
(guiding behavior) and spiritual (arising from a life led by the Spirit). This shows
that true ethical behavior comes from an inner transformation, not just
following external laws.
This connection between ethics and spirituality is also reflected in Matthew’s
Sermon on the Mount, where the Lord’s Prayer lies at the heart of the teaching
(Matthew 6:5-15). It emphasizes prayer and trust in God as central to living a
righteous life. Similarly, the Letter of James talks about the "perfect law of
liberty" (James 1:25)—a law that frees people to live rightly rather than
restricting them.
New Testament teachings also focus on communities, not just
individuals. For example, in Revelation (Apocalypse) 2:1–3:22,
letters are addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor. Each church
is commended for qualities like love, faithfulness, and endurance or
criticized for issues like apathy and idolatry. These messages are
about the spiritual and ethical health of the community as a whole.
Finally, this communal focus is also seen in 1 Corinthians 3:1-23,
where Paul emphasizes building up the church as a united body.
Growth and transformation are not just individual goals but are
meant to strengthen the entire Christian community.
The moral teachings of the Bible can be understood through two key points:
1. Biblical moral teachings are not fixed rules for all time. The Bible reveals
important theological truths—like the goodness of creation, human sinfulness,
God’s mercy in the covenant, and the hope for a just world.
However, these truths were expressed in ways that fit the specific situations of the
time. For example, the laws in the Torah and the teachings in Matthew’s Gospel
reflect the cultural and historical contexts in which they were written. This means
we cannot simply apply them to today’s world without careful thought and
adaptation.
2. Moral teachings are part of a bigger story. Ethical guidance in the Bible is rarely
presented as standalone instructions. Instead, it’s usually woven into a larger
narrative or discussion. For instance, the laws in the Torah are given within the
story of Israel’s relationship with God, and Jesus’ teachings in Matthew are
connected to the broader message of God’s kingdom (Matthew 5–7).
Similarly, in the New Testament letters, moral exhortations
(paraenesis) often flow directly from theological discussions, such as
Paul’s emphasis on the transforming work of the Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23).
In summary, Jesus' teachings has shaping New Testament ethics.
There are different ethical frameworks presented across the Gospels
and the significance of the community of believers in ethical
discussions. Further, biblical ethics cannot be separated from its
theological, spiritual, and narrative context. This makes it dynamic,
rooted in deeper truths that guide moral living in different ways across
generations.
The Role of Modern Biblical Exegesis
We have learned that Christians should interpret biblical ethics carefully and
thoughtfully, rather than interpreting the text exactly as it is written, or applying them
directly without considering their context.
1. Understanding the Bible in Context:
Christians need to use modern tools like the historical-critical method to read
the Bible in its original context. This means understanding the type of text
(narrative, poetry, or discourse) and the historical and cultural setting in
which it was written. For example, in Mark 10:1-12, Jesus teaches about
divorce. Reading this text carefully involves recognizing: It’s part of a broader
section about discipleship and self-denial (Mark 8:27–10:52). Jesus
emphasizes that following Him affects all aspects of life, including marriage
(Mark 10:1-31). In Jesus’ time, divorce was often allowed for trivial reasons,
which hurt women by causing disgrace and loss of children.
Mark’s Roman-Hellenistic audience also included women who could initiate
divorce, unlike in Jewish culture. The Torah values marriage’s intimacy (Genesis
2:23-25) but allows divorce when necessary (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Matthew’s
Gospel allows divorce in cases of unfaithfulness (Matthew 5:32). Jesus’ broader
mission offers hope and healing for the broken and marginalized (Mark 2:13-17).
2. Balancing Biblical Teachings with Modern Realities:
Instead of reading verses literally and in isolation, Christians should consider the
Bible’s overall narrative, its diversity of teachings, and modern social realities
(e.g., changing family structures and women’s roles). Applying Jesus’ teachings on
marriage today means taking into account the original cultural context, the
message of love and discipleship, and the evolving understanding of relationships
in contemporary life.
By studying Scripture deeply and thoughtfully, Christians can find guidance that
respects both the Bible's original message and the complexities of modern life.
Conclusion
The ethical teachings in the Bible vary depending on their context (cultural,
historical, and situational) and cannot be understood in isolation. These ethics
are deeply connected to spirituality (a person's relationship with God) and the
community (how people live and interact with one another).
Furthermore, ethical living is seen as a result of an ongoing process of personal
and spiritual transformation inspired by Scripture. This transformation is
internal, changing a person's heart and mind, and it leads to living in a way that
reflects spiritual growth and moral responsibility.
References
- Lee, Dorothy A. 'Scripture, Ethics and Spirituality.'
