Behoove
Two Types of Necessity
The English word 'behoove' in older Bible translations captures two different Greek concepts. The first is the word 'dei,' which expresses a physical or divine necessity, something that must happen because God has ordained it. The second is 'opheilo,' which conveys a moral obligation or duty, something that ought to be done because it is owed. Understanding this distinction helps Bible readers appreciate the different shades of meaning in passages where the word appears.
Divine Necessity in Christ's Suffering
In Luke 24:26, the risen Jesus asks the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, 'Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' The word behind 'necessary' here is 'dei,' indicating that Christ's suffering was part of God's predetermined plan. This was not merely advisable or preferable; it was a divine requirement woven into the fabric of God's redemptive purpose. Paul echoes this idea in Acts 17:3, where he reasoned from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.
Moral Obligation in Hebrews
In Hebrews 2:17, the writer states that Jesus 'had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.' Here the underlying word is 'opheilo,' expressing moral obligation. Jesus owed it to those he came to save to fully share in their humanity. This incarnational duty was not imposed from outside but flowed from the nature of his redemptive mission. To be an effective mediator, he needed to experience human life completely.
The Broader Biblical Concept of Necessity
The concept of divine necessity runs throughout Scripture. God's plans unfold according to his sovereign will, and certain events must occur to fulfill his purposes. Jesus frequently spoke of things that 'must' happen: the Son of Man must suffer (Mark 8:31), the gospel must be preached to all nations (Mark 13:10), and Scripture must be fulfilled (Luke 22:37). Each of these uses the language of divine necessity, indicating that God's redemptive plan is not contingent on human circumstances.
Practical Implications for Believers
The dual meaning of behoove carries implications for Christian life. The divine necessity side reminds believers that God's purposes will be accomplished regardless of opposition. The moral obligation side calls believers to recognize their own duties. Paul uses the language of obligation when he says believers ought to bear with the failings of the weak (Romans 15:1) and that those who have received grace ought to live accordingly (Ephesians 4:1). The believer's life, like Christ's, involves both submitting to God's sovereign plan and fulfilling moral responsibilities toward others.
Biblical Context
The concept of behoove appears in Luke 24:26 and Acts 17:3, where divine necessity governs Christ's suffering and resurrection. In Hebrews 2:17, it expresses Christ's moral obligation to share in human nature. Related concepts of divine necessity appear throughout the Gospels and Epistles, shaping the New Testament understanding of God's redemptive plan.
Theological Significance
Behoove touches on the foundational theological doctrines of divine sovereignty and the incarnation. The divine necessity aspect affirms that Christ's suffering was planned, not accidental, grounding the atonement in God's eternal purpose. The moral obligation aspect affirms the full humanity of Christ and his voluntary identification with those he saves, a cornerstone of the doctrine of the incarnation.
Historical Background
The Greek word 'dei' was commonly used in Hellenistic literature to express fate or destiny, but the New Testament authors give it a distinctly theological meaning rooted in God's sovereign will rather than impersonal fate. The word 'opheilo' comes from the language of commerce and debt, reflecting the ancient world's strong sense of social and moral obligation. Early English Bible translations used 'behoove' to capture these ideas, though modern translations typically use 'must' or 'ought.'