Biblical Etiquette

by Christianne
from Virtuous Daughters, October 2007~Volume 7, Number 7

The word etiquette is not in the Bible. However, there are some Biblical principles we can apply to this subject. Etiquette has to do with how we treat others. The basis of etiquette is love—love for God first then love for others. How can we show etiquette to others?

First, pray that your love might abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”—Philippians 1:9
 
Secondly, I think it is helpful to review the characteristics of love as found in 1 Corinthians 13:
 
Though I speak with the tongues or men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
  
My prayer is that each one of you will grow in charity (love) as you learn about etiquette.