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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Rigid</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/r/rigid.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/mark/9-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/r/rigid.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Rigid</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/r/rights_of_the_firstborn.htm" title="Rights of the Firstborn">◄</a> Rigid <a href="/topical/r/rigor.htm" title="Rigor">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "rigid" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be explored through various scriptural principles and narratives that illustrate inflexibility, steadfastness, or unyielding attitudes, both positively and negatively.<br><br><b>Positive Aspects of Rigidity:</b><br><br>1. <b>Steadfastness in Faith:</b> The Bible often commends a firm and unwavering faith. In <a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a> , Paul encourages believers to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." This form of rigidity is seen as a virtue, where believers are called to hold firmly to their faith and convictions despite external pressures.<br><br>2. <b>God’s Unchanging Nature:</b> The immutability of God is a central theme in Scripture. <a href="/malachi/3-6.htm">Malachi 3:6</a> states, "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." God's unchanging nature is a form of divine rigidity that provides assurance and stability to believers, knowing that His promises and character remain constant.<br><br>3. <b>Adherence to God’s Law:</b> The psalmist expresses a rigid commitment to God's statutes in <a href="/psalms/119-5.htm">Psalm 119:5</a> , "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in keeping Your statutes!" This reflects a positive rigidity in the sense of a determined adherence to divine commandments.<br><br><b>Negative Aspects of Rigidity:</b><br><br>1. <b>Pharisaical Legalism:</b> The New Testament often critiques the Pharisees for their rigid adherence to the letter of the law while neglecting its spirit. In <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> , Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." This rigidity is portrayed negatively as it leads to hypocrisy and a lack of compassion.<br><br>2. <b>Hardness of Heart:</b> A rigid heart is often depicted as resistant to God’s will. In <a href="/exodus/7-13.htm">Exodus 7:13</a> , Pharaoh's heart is described as hardened, "Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said." This inflexibility results in disobedience and ultimately, judgment.<br><br>3. <b>Resistance to the Holy Spirit:</b> Stephen, in <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a> , accuses the Sanhedrin of being "stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears," always resisting the Holy Spirit. This rigidity is seen as a refusal to accept divine guidance and revelation.<br><br><b>Balancing Rigidity with Flexibility:</b><br><br>While the Bible acknowledges the importance of being firm in faith and principles, it also encourages believers to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to exercise grace and mercy. <a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a> describes the wisdom from above as "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere." This suggests a balance between holding firm to core truths and being adaptable in love and understanding.<br><br>In summary, the concept of rigidity in the Bible encompasses both commendable steadfastness in faith and the dangers of inflexibility that can lead to legalism and resistance to God’s work. Believers are called to discern when to stand firm and when to be open to change, guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>a.</I>) Firm; stiff; unyielding; not pliant; not flexible.<p>2. (<I>a.</I>) Hence, not lax or indulgent; severe; inflexible; strict; as, a rigid father or master; rigid discipline; rigid criticism; a rigid sentence.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/840.htm"><span class="l">840. austeros -- harsh, severe</span></a> <br><b>...</b> austeros Phonetic Spelling: (ow-stay-ros') Short Definition: grim, severe, strict,<br> exacting Definition: grim, severe, strict, exacting, harsh, <b>rigid</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/840.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/leo/writings_of_leo_the_great/chapter_vi_that_the_ruler.htm"><span class="l">That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> That the ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, but, through<br> the zeal of righteousness, <b>rigid</b> against the vices of evildoers. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter vi that the ruler.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/how_the_victor_runs.htm"><span class="l">How the victor Runs</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 'So run, that ye obtain.'. II. The victorious runner sets Christians an<br> example of <b>rigid</b> self-control. Every man that is striving <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/how the victor runs.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arminius/the_works_of_james_arminius_vol_1/disputation_19_on_the_justification.htm"><span class="l">On the Justification of Man Before God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> (iii, 23.) (2.) God may be viewed as seated on a throne of <b>rigid</b> and severe<br> justice, (Psalm 143:2,) or on a throne of grace and mercy. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chesterton/heretics/xii_paganism_and_mr_lowes.htm"><span class="l">Paganism and Mr. Lowes Dickinson</span></a> <br><b>...</b> in an irresponsible state, whereas, if there were two things that the best pagan<br> civilization did honestly believe in, they were a rather too <b>rigid</b> dignity and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xii paganism and mr lowes.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_desire_of_ages/chapter_9_days_of_conflict.htm"><span class="l">Days of Conflict</span></a> <br><b>...</b> requirements of the rabbis. <b>Rigid</b> rules were prescribed for every act,<br> down to the smallest details of life. Under the synagogue <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 9 days of conflict.htm</font><p><a href="/library/johnson/the_new_testament_commentary_vol_iii_john/end_of_three_months_ministry.htm"><span class="l">End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It was instituted by the Maccabees who were priests and of the most <b>rigid</b> caste,<br> and was observed only by the more <b>rigid</b> Jews; hence it is not strange that the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/end of three months ministry.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/creeds_of_christendom_with_a_history_and_critical_notes/_59_the_consensus_of.htm"><span class="l">The Consensus of Zurich. AD 1549.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> fruition of Christ by faith. [895] This satisfied neither the <b>rigid</b> Lutherans<br> nor the <b>rigid</b> Zwinglians. The former could see no <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../ 59 the consensus of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/neander/the_life_of_jesus_christ_in_its_historical_connexion/iv_true_religion_contrasted_with.htm"><span class="l">True Religion Contrasted with the Mock Piety of the Pharisees.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Section 156. (1.) Alms, Prayer, Fasting; (2.) <b>Rigid</b> Judgment of Self, Mild Judgment<br> of others; (3.) Test of Sincerity in Seeking after Righteousness. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../iv true religion contrasted with.htm</font><p><a href="/library/aquinas/summa_theologica/whether_contrition_is_an_assumed.htm"><span class="l">Whether Contrition is an Assumed Sorrow for Sins, Together with <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Now he that persists in his own judgment, is called metaphorically <b>rigid</b> and hard:<br> wherefore anyone is said to be broken when he is torn from his own judgment. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contrition is an assumed.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/strong_and_loving.htm"><span class="l">Strong and Loving</span></a> <br><b>...</b> One part of that watchfulness consists in exercising a very <b>rigid</b> and a<br> very constant and comprehensive scrutiny of our motives. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/r/rigid.htm"><span class="l"><b>Rigid</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (a.) Hence, not lax or indulgent; severe; inflexible; strict; as, a <b>rigid</b> father<br> or master; <b>rigid</b> discipline; <b>rigid</b> criticism; a <b>rigid</b> sentence. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rigid.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rigor.htm"><span class="l">Rigor (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> fever. 3. (n.) The becoming stiff or <b>rigid</b>; the state of being <b>rigid</b>; rigidity;<br> stiffness; hardness. 4. (n.) See 1st Rigor, 2. 5 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rigor.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/set.htm"><span class="l">Set (6715 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 7. (vt) To fix beforehand; to determine; hence, to make unyielding or obstinate;<br> to render stiff, unpliant, or <b>rigid</b>; as, to set one's countenance. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/set.htm - 20k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rights.htm"><span class="l">Rights (35 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rights.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/esther.htm"><span class="l">Esther (48 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> royal apparel of blue and white." The highly organized postal system, the king's<br> scribes, the keeping of the chronicles of the kingdom, the <b>rigid</b> and elaborate <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/esther.htm - 58k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/genealogy.htm"><span class="l">Genealogy (29 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> With the <b>rigid</b> exclusion of all foreign intermixtures by the leaders of the Restoration<br> (Ezra 10 Nehemiah 10:30; Nehemiah 13:23-31), the genealogical interest <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/genealogy.htm - 70k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/code.htm"><span class="l">Code (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Here also Hammurabi's care for those of a meaner position is exhibited, since he<br> issues <b>rigid</b> regulations against misuse of the power of office and punishes <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/code.htm - 40k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/hard.htm"><span class="l">Hard (733 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> hard character. 7. (superl.) Not easy or agreeable to the taste; stiff;<br><b>rigid</b>; ungraceful; repelling; as, a hard style. 8. (superl <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/hard.htm - 18k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm"><span class="l">Neighbor (123 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The word represents, not so much a <b>rigid</b> fact, but an ideal which one may or may<br> not realize (Luke 10:36, "Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/neighbor.htm - 41k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/nicolaitans.htm"><span class="l">Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> of the Spirit and of wisdom" (compare Acts 6:3), Simcox argues that their lapse<br> may have been due to reaction from original principles of a too <b>rigid</b> asceticism <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sects-of-Judaism.html">What are the different sects of Judaism? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sword-of-the-Spirit.html">What is the sword of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/pagan-Christianity.html">Are many practices and traditions in Christianity actually pagan in origin? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/rigid.htm">Rigid: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Rigid (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/mark/9-18.htm">Mark 9:18</a></span><br />and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren't able."<br /><span class="source">(See RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/r/rigid.htm">Rigid</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rigour.htm">Rigour (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rigorous.htm">Rigorous (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/slavery.htm">Slavery (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/slave.htm">Slave (148 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/y/yearly.htm">Yearly (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/undue.htm">Undue (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/oppress.htm">Oppress (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tyranny.htm">Tyranny (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rigid.htm">Rigid (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bond-men.htm">Bond-men (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brutally.htm">Brutally (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cruelty.htm">Cruelty (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cruel.htm">Cruel (196 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ascetic.htm">Ascetic (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ague.htm">Ague (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/steel.htm">Steel (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/severity.htm">Severity (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/superstition.htm">Superstition (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/injured.htm">Injured (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/horror.htm">Horror (51 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/poor.htm">Poor (276 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/diseased.htm">Diseased (39 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bondage.htm">Bondage (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings (350 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wherein.htm">Wherein (208 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/testaments.htm">Testaments</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ruled.htm">Ruled (84 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/between.htm">Between (2624 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/haven't.htm">Haven't (87 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lost.htm">Lost (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bondmen.htm">Bondmen (117 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/harshly.htm">Harshly (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/weak.htm">Weak (102 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses (9295 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/books.htm">Books (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/r/rights_of_the_firstborn.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Rights of the Firstborn"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Rights of the Firstborn" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/r/rigor.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Rigor"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Rigor" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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