Biblical Definition of Obedience in the New Testament

The concept of obedience in the New Testament is deeply intertwined with the idea of covenant and faithfulness to God's commands. While the English word "obedience" conveys compliance, the biblical understanding encompasses a broader sense of relationship and allegiance.

The Greek term commonly translated as "covenant" in the New Testament is diatheke (διαθήκη) ^{[2, 4]}. This word is frequently rendered as "testament" in older translations like the Authorized Version, but "covenant" is generally preferred as it better reflects the meaning of a contract or agreement between two parties ^[4]. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew equivalent, berith (בְּרִית), literally means "a cutting," referring to the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and parties passing between them to ratify an agreement (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18-19) ^{[2, 4]}. This imagery underscores the solemnity and binding nature of a covenant.

The New Testament introduces a "New Covenant" (Luke 22:20), which is contrasted with the "old covenant of works" ^[3]. This new covenant is described as "ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent," dispensed with greater clarity, spirituality, and power under the Gospel ^[3]. Jesus is identified as the Mediator of this new covenant, securing forgiveness for sins not covered by the former covenant and promising an eternal inheritance to those called ^{[10, 14]}. The establishment of this new covenant is linked to Christ's death, with his blood inaugurating it (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:20) ^{[10, 11]}.

Obedience within this New Covenant framework is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules but an expression of one's relationship with God. It is seen as a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to Him ^[13]. For instance, 1 Peter 1:14 refers to believers as "children of obedience," implying that obedience is their characteristic nature, much like a child shares the nature of its parents ^[9]. This stands in contrast to "children of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6) ^[9]. The obedience of faith leads to a righteous character, as seen in Romans 6:16, where yielding oneself to obey results in "righteousness" ^[12].

The act of obedience is often associated with showing respect and reverence. In the Old Testament, "obeisance" (homage or reverence) is shown through actions like bowing (Genesis 37:7; 43:28) ^{[1, 5]}. This act of bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to God (Joshua 5:14; Psalm 95:6; Ephesians 3:14) ^[5]. The principle behind an oath, which is a solemn promise, is an ultimate appeal to divine authority to ratify an assertion (Hebrews 6:16) ^[6]. This highlights that obedience is ultimately directed towards God's authority.

New Testament passages emphasize obedience in various contexts. Slaves are instructed to obey their earthly masters "in all respects, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God" (Colossians 3:22 LITV) ^[8]. This demonstrates that obedience is to be rendered sincerely and with an awareness of God's presence. Furthermore, believers are exhorted to "obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Hebrews 13:17) ^[7].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Obeisance — Homage or reverence to any one (Gen. 37:7; 43:28).”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting," with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-- + Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Bowing — A mode of showing respect. Abraham "bowed himself to the people of the land" (Gen. 23:7); so Jacob to Esau (Gen. 33:3); and the brethren of Joseph before him as the governor of the land (Gen. 43:28). Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols (Josh. 23:7; 2 Kings 5:18; Judg. 2:19; Isa. 44:15), and to God (Josh. 5:14; Ps. 22:29; 72:9; Micah 6:6; Ps. 95:6; Eph. 3:14).”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Oath — The principle on which an oath is held to be binding is incidentally laid down in (Hebrews 6:16) viz. as an ultimate appeal to divine authority to ratify an assertion. On the same principle, that oath has always been held most binding which appealed to the highest authority, as regards both individuals and communities. As a consequence of this principle, appeals to God's name on the one hand, and to heathen deities on the other, are treated in scripture as tests of allegiance. (Exodus 23:13; 34:6; 29:12) etc. So also the sovereign's name is sometimes used as a ”
Hebrews “Obedite præpositis vestris, et subjacete eis. Ipsi enim pervigilant quasi rationem pro animabus vestris reddituri, ut cum gaudio hoc faciant, et non gementes : hoc enim non expedit vobis. -- Hebrews 13:17”
Colossians “Colossians 3:22 (LITV) — Slaves, obey the lords according to flesh in all respects, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:14: From sobriety of spirit and endurance of hope Peter passes to obedience, holiness, and reverential fear. As--marking their present actual character as "born again" (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:22). obedient children--Greek, "children of obedience": children to whom obedience is their characteristic and ruling nature, as a child is of the same nature as the mother and father. Contrast Eph 5:6, "the children of disobedience." Compare Pe1 1:17, "obeying the Father" whose "children" ye are. Having the obedience of faith (compare Pe1 1:22) and so of practice (compa”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9:15: for this cause--Because of the all-cleansing power of His blood, this fits Him to be Mediator (Heb 8:6, ensuring to both parties, God and us, the ratification) of the new covenant, which secures both forgiveness for the sins not covered by the former imperfect covenant or testament, and also an eternal inheritance to the called. by means of death--rather, as Greek, "death having taken place." At the moment that His death took place, the necessary effect is, "the called receive the (fulfilment of the) promise" (so Luk 24:49 uses "promise"; Heb 6:15; ”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9:20: heb 9:20Exo 24:8, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you concerning all these words." The change is here made to accord with Christ's inauguration of the new testament, or covenant, as recorded in Luk 22:20, "This cup (is) the new Testament in My blood, which is shed for you": the only Gospel in which the "is" has to be supplied. Luke was Paul's companion, which accounts for the correspondence, as here too "is" has to be supplied. testament--(See on Heb 9:16-17). The Greek "diathece" means both "testament" and "covenant"”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 6:16: that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey--with the view of obeying him. his servants ye are to whom ye obey--to whom ye yield that obedience. whether of Sin unto death--that is, "issuing in death," in the awful sense of Rom 8:6, as the sinner's final condition. or of Obedience unto righteousness--that is, obedience resulting in a righteous character, as the enduring condition of the servant of new Obedience (Jo1 2:17; Joh 8:34; Pe2 2:19; Mat 6:24).”
1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 7:22: By so much - This solemn, unchangeable oath of God, was Jesus made a surety, εγγυος, a mediator, one who brings the two parties together, witnesses the contract, and offers the covenant sacrifice on the occasion. See at the end of the chapter. A better testament - Κρειττονος διατηκης· A better covenant; called, in the title to the sacred books which contain the whole Christian code, Ἡ Καινη Διαθηκη, The New Covenant, thus contradistinguished from the Mosaic, which was the old covenant; and this is called the new and better covenant, because God has in it promised ”

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