What are good manners?
Romans 13:13We must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
1 Timothy 5:1-2Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.
Decent and appropriate behavior is the foundation for good manners.
Proverbs 11:22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Philippians 1:9-10I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
People who show good manners value discretion and discernment.
Leviticus 19:3“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:14, 32“Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord. . . . Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.”
Job 29:8-10“The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.”
Romans 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
1 Corinthians 16:10, 16–16When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. . . You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion.
2 Corinthians 7:15Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect.
1 Peter 2:17Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
Having good manners involves showing respect to everyone, especially those in authority.
Genesis 24:17-19Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.” “Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.”
2 Samuel 9:1One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
Acts 28:2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
Kindness inspires manners that go above and beyond what is expected.
Proverbs 3:27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Those with good manners are quick to notice and meet the needs of others.
Genesis 18:1-8The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground. “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.” “All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.” So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.
Genesis 24:25“Yes, we have plenty of straw and feed for the camels, and we have room for guests.”
Acts 10:23So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
Acts 16:15She [Lydia] and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
Acts 28:7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.
Hebrews 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hospitality is an offering of kindness, helpfulness, and respect—a powerful example of good manners.
Job 13:5“If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.”
Proverbs 10:32The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
Proverbs 15:28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Colossians 4:5-6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Good manners are often expressed (or ruined) by our choice of words.
Genesis 41:14Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.
Grooming and hygiene show respect toward others and are signs of good manners.
Genesis 33:10Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!”
1 Corinthians 10:27If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.
We demonstrate good manners by being gracious recipients of the hospitality and generosity offered by others.
