The concept of independence, while not explicitly outlined as a singular theme in the Bible, can be explored through various scriptural principles and narratives that emphasize personal responsibility, reliance on God, and the role of the individual within the community of believers.

Personal Responsibility and Accountability

The Bible underscores the importance of personal responsibility and accountability, which can be seen as a form of independence. In Galatians 6:5, the Apostle Paul writes, "For each one should carry his own load." This verse highlights the expectation that individuals are to take responsibility for their own actions and duties. Similarly, in Romans 14:12, Paul states, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This accountability before God suggests a level of independence in one's spiritual journey and moral decisions.

Reliance on God

While the Bible encourages personal responsibility, it also emphasizes the necessity of reliance on God rather than complete self-sufficiency. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage suggests that true independence is not about isolation or self-reliance but about trusting in God's guidance and wisdom.

Individual Role within the Community

The New Testament frequently addresses the role of the individual within the body of Christ, the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the Church, emphasizing that each member has a unique and important role. Verse 27 states, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it." This illustrates that while individuals have distinct roles and responsibilities, they are interdependent within the community of believers.

Examples of Independent Action

Several biblical figures demonstrate independent action in their faith and obedience to God. For instance, Daniel, in Daniel 6, independently chooses to continue praying to God despite the king's decree, demonstrating personal conviction and faithfulness. Similarly, Esther, in the Book of Esther, independently decides to approach the king to save her people, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). These examples highlight the courage and responsibility of individuals acting in accordance with their faith.

Independence and Free Will

The Bible also addresses the concept of free will, which is closely related to independence. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God presents the Israelites with a choice: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live." This passage underscores the freedom and responsibility individuals have in making choices that align with God's will.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "independent," it provides a framework for understanding independence through personal responsibility, reliance on God, the role of the individual within the community, and the exercise of free will. These principles guide believers in living a life that honors God while acknowledging their unique roles and responsibilities.1. (a.) Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent.

2. (a.) Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.

3. (a.) Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.

4. (a.) Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.

5. (a.) Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.

6. (a.) Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.

7. (a.) Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; -- said of quantities or functions.

8. (a.) Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party.

9. (n.) One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.

10. (n.) One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting.

166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... simultaneously of time, of time, and beyond time -- ie what gives time its everlasting
meaning for the believer through faith, yet is also time-independent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/166.htm - 8k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... 2:20).]. 4561 () is generally negative, referring to making decisions (actions)
-- ie done (independent from inworking). Thus what ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

842. autarkes -- self-sufficient, sufficient
... Phonetic Spelling: (ow-tar'-kace) Short Definition: self-sufficient, contented,
satisfied Definition: self-sufficient, contented, satisfied, independent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/842.htm - 7k

5565. choris -- separately, separate from
... Word Origin adverb akin to cheros (bereaved) Definition separately, separate from
NASB Word Usage apart (10), besides (2), independent (2), itself (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5565.htm - 7k

7771a. shoa -- independent, noble (in station)
... 7771, 7771a. shoa. 7771b . independent, noble (in station). Transliteration:
shoa Short Definition: generous. Word Origin from yasha ...
/hebrew/7771a.htm - 5k

7771. showa' -- independent, noble (in station)
... showa'. 7771a . independent, noble (in station). Transliteration: showa' Phonetic
Spelling: (sho'-ah) Short Definition: bountiful. bountiful, crying, rich ...
/hebrew/7771.htm - 5k

4178. morat -- peeled
... Word Origin the same as marat, qv. peeled From yarat; obstinate, ie Independent --
peeled. see HEBREW yarat. 4177b, 4178. morat. 4179 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4178.htm - 5k

The Independent and Happy Man.
... CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND LIFE. 403. " The Independent and Happy Man.
403. LM Sir H. Wotton. The Independent and Happy Man. 1 ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/403 the independent and.htm

Proposition iii: the one Independent Being must be Necessarily ...
... Proposition III: The one independent Being must be necessarily existing.
III. That unchangeable and independent Being, which has ...
/.../proposition iii the one independent.htm

Proposition ii: There must have Existed from Eternity one ...
... Proposition II: There must have existed from eternity one independent being. There
has existed from eternity, [3] some one unchangeable and independent being. ...
/.../ii proposition ii there must.htm

Now the Person in Each Declares the Independent Being and ...
... Section VIII. Now the person in each declares the independent being and subsistence.?
Now the person in each declares the independent being and subsistence. ...
/.../section viii now the person.htm

This Assurance, However, is not Produced by any Peculiar ...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 10 This assurance, however, is not produced
by any peculiar revelation contrary to or independent of? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 10 this assurance however.htm

Summary of the Creed, or Rule of Faith no Questions ever Raised ...
... Raised About It by Believers. Heretics Encourage and Perpetuate Thought
Independent of Christ's Teaching. Now, with regard to this ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xiii summary of the creed.htm

The True Doctrine. Creation Out of Nothing, of God's Lavish Bounty ...
... Section 3. The true doctrine. Creation out of nothing, of God's lavish bounty of
being. Man created above the rest, but incapable of independent perseverance. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 3 the true doctrine.htm

The Contents. The Introduction, Concerning the Causes of Atheism 1
... PROP. II. That there has existed from Eternity some one Immutable and Independent
Being 10. Of the Absolute Impossibility of an eternal ...
/.../the contents the introduction concerning.htm

That the Self-Existent Being Can be but One.
... Again: To suppose two (or more) distinct beings existing of themselves, necessarily,
and independent from each other, implies this plain contradiction; that ...
/.../vii proposition vii that the.htm

The First Letter.
... p.74,]"to suppose two or more different natures existing of themselves, necessarily
and independent from each other, implies this plain contradiction; that ...
/.../a discourse concerning the being and attributes of god/the first letter.htm

Independent (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on
others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent. ...
/i/independent.htm - 8k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... Greece was conquered by the Romans BC 146. After passing through various
changes it was erected into an independent monarchy in 1831. ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Lot (145 Occurrences)
... of Abraham; but that this does not represent a variant tradition is proved by reference
to 14:12 of the same chapter (ascribed to "an independent source") and ...
/l/lot.htm - 60k

Volition
... carries in it the idea of "wish," "purpose," "volition." "Will" is also used as
an auxiliary of the future tense of other words, but the independent verb is ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Unchangeableness (1 Occurrence)
... As the One infinitely perfect and absolute or self-existent Being, God is exalted
far above the possibility of change, because He is independent, self-existent ...
/u/unchangeableness.htm - 27k

Unchangeable (4 Occurrences)
... As the One infinitely perfect and absolute or self-existent Being, God is exalted
far above the possibility of change, because He is independent, self-existent ...
/u/unchangeable.htm - 28k

Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble;
independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit ...
/l/liberal.htm - 12k

Individual (12 Occurrences)
... a human being; a person. 4. (n.) An independent, or partially independent,
zooid of a compound animal. 5. (n.) The product of a ...
/i/individual.htm - 11k

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to,
original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign ...
/s/sovereign.htm - 36k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... He will add," "And she called his name Joseph, saying, Yahweh add to me another
son"): I. THE JOSEPH STORY, A LITERARY QUESTION 1. An Independent Original or ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

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