ἀφθορία, ας f: the quality of integrity as an expression of moral soundness

תֹּם (tōm): n.[masc.]; ≡ Str 8537; TWOT 2522a—1. LN 88.1–88.11 blamelessness, integrity, innocence, i.e., a state or condition of moral goodness in a life, with a focus of not having guilt or sin

The tr of tōm, “simplicity,” “soundness,” “completeness,” rendered also “upright,” “perfection.” Its original sense appears in the phrase letōm (1 K 22:34; 2 Ch 18:33), “A certain man drew his bow at a venture,” m “Heb, in his simplicity” (cf 2 S 15:11, “in their simplicity”). It is trd “integrity” (Gen 20:5, 6; 1 K 9:4; Ps 7:8; 25:21; 26:1, 11; 41:12; 78:72; Prov 19:1; 20:7), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. In the pl. (tummīm) it is one of the words on the breastplate of the high priest (Ex 28:30; Dt 33:8; Ezr 2:63; Neh 7:65), one of the sacred lots, indicating, perhaps, “innocence” or “integrity” (LXX alḗtheia). See URIM AND THUMMIM. Another word trd “integrity” is tummāh, from tāmam, “to complete,” “be upright,” “perfect,” only in Job 2:3, 9; 27:5; 31:6; Prov 11:3.

The word “integrity” does not occur in the NT, but its equivalents may be seen in “sincerity,” “truth,” the “pure heart,” the “single eye,” etc. In the above sense of simplicity of intention it is equivalent to being honest, sincere, genuine, and is fundamental to true character.

Instances of: Pharaoh, when he learned that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, Gen. 12:18. Abimelech, when warned of God that the woman he had taken into his household was Abraham’s wife, Gen. 26:9–11. Jacob, in the care of Laban’s property, Gen. 31:39. Joseph, in resisting Potiphar’s wife, Gen. 39:8–12; innocent of the charge on which he was cast into the dungeon, Gen. 40:15. Jacob’s sons, when accused by Joseph of robbery, Gen. 43:15–22; 44:7–16. The Egyptian midwives, when commanded to destroy the newborn babies of the Israelites, Ex. 1:17–21. Moses, in taking nothing from the Israelites in consideration of his services, Num. 16:15. Samuel, in exacting nothing from the people on account of services, 1 Sam. 12:4. David, in self-reproach for the cutting of Saul’s skirt, 1 Sam. 24:5; in preventing foraging by his insurgent forces, 1 Sam. 25:15; in his conduct while in refuge with the Philistines, 1 Sam. 29:6, 9, with vs. 1–11. Workmen, who repaired the temple, 2 Kin. 12:15; 22:7. Joab, when ordered by David to number the military forces of Israel, 1 Chr. 21:6. Priests, who received the offerings of gold and other gifts for the renewing of the temple under Ezra, Ezra 8:24–30. Nehemiah, reforming the civil service, and receiving no compensation for his own services, Neh. 5:14–19. The Rechabites, in keeping the Nazarite vows, Jer. 35:12–17. Daniel, in his abstinence, Dan. 1:8–20; in maintaining uprightness of character and consistent devoutness, Dan. 6:4. Joseph, the husband of Mary, in not jealously accusing her of immorality, Matt. 1:19. Zacchaeus, in the administration of his wealth, Luke 19:8. Nathanael, in whom was no guile, John 1:47. Joseph, a counselor, Luke 23:50, 51. Peter, when offered money by Simon Magus, Acts 8:18–23. Paul and Barnabas, when the people of Lystra desired to deify them, Acts 14:12–15.

Let us therefore pursue truth, and not be as if we were on the stage and acting a part. For of what advantage is it, tell me, to be gazed at by a multitude? It is vainglory, and nothing else. For return to thy house, and solitude, and immediately all is gone. Thou hast gone to the market-place, thou hast turned upon thee the eyes of all present. What hast thou gained? Nothing. It vanished, and passed away like dissolving smoke. Do we then love things thus unsubstantial? How unreasonable is this! what madness! To one thing only let us look, to the never seek the praise of men; but if it falls to us, we shall despise, deride, and reject it. We shall be affected as those who desire gold, but receive clay. Let not any one praise thee, for it profits nothing; and if he blame thee, it harms thee not. But with God praise and blame are attended with real gain and loss, whilst all is vain that proceeds from men. And herein we are made like unto God, that He needs not glory from men. “I receive not” said Christ, “honor from men.” (John 5:41.) Is this then a light thing, tell me? When thou art unwilling to despise glory, say, “By despising it, I shall resemble God,” and immediately thou wilt despise it. But it is impossible that the slave of glory should not be a slave to all, more servile than slaves in reality. For we do not impose upon our slaves such tasks, as glory exacts from her captives. Base and shameful are the things she makes them say, and do, and suffer, and when she sees them obedient, she is the more urgent in her commands.

Let us fly then, I entreat you, let us fly from this slavery. But how shall we be able? If we think seriously of what is in this world, if we observe that things present are a dream, a shadow, and nothing better; we shall easily overcome this desire, and neither in little nor in great things shall be led captive by it.

Let us therefore pursue truth, and not be as if we were on the stage and acting a part. For of what advantage is it, tell me, to be gazed at by a multitude? It is vainglory, and nothing else. For return to thy house, and solitude, and immediately all is gone. Thou hast gone to the market-place, thou hast turned upon thee the eyes of all present. What hast thou gained? Nothing. It vanished, and passed away like dissolving smoke.

But with God praise and blame are attended with real gain and loss, whilst all is vain that proceeds from men. And herein we are made like unto God, that He needs not glory from men. “I receive not” said Christ, “honor from men.” (John 5:41.) Is this then a light thing, tell me? When thou art unwilling to despise glory, say, “By despising it, I shall resemble God,” and immediately thou wilt despise it. But it is impossible that the slave of glory should not be a slave to all, more servile than slaves in reality. For we do not impose upon our slaves such tasks, as glory exacts from her captives. Base and shameful are the things she makes them say, and do, and suffer, and when she sees them obedient, she is the more urgent in her commands.

Let us fly then, I entreat you, let us fly from this slavery. But how shall we be able? If we think seriously of what is in this world, if we observe that things present are a dream, a shadow, and nothing better; we shall easily overcome this desire, and neither in little nor in great things shall be led captive by it

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.