Manner; Manners
The Biblical Vocabulary of Manner
The English words "manner" and "manners" appear frequently in English Bible translations, representing a variety of Hebrew and Greek terms. In the Old Testament, the most common underlying words include terms meaning "way" or "path" (describing a person's course of life), "word" or "thing" (describing how something is done), and "judgment" or "ordinance" (describing established customs or legal practices). In the New Testament, the Greek terms carry similar meanings: custom, habit, and way of life.
This rich vocabulary reflects the Bible's deep concern not just with what people do but with how they do it. The manner of worship, the manner of hospitality, the manner of justice, and the manner of daily life all fall under Scripture's scrutiny.
Manner as Custom and Way of Life
One of the most important uses of "manner" in Scripture refers to the established customs of a people or place. When Genesis describes life in Sodom, it says Lot prepared a feast and baked unleavened bread "after the manner" of his household (Genesis 19:3). The customs of nations are frequently referenced, often as a warning. God told Israel, "After the manner of the land of Egypt, where you lived, you shall not do, and after the manner of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do" (Leviticus 18:3).
Ezekiel condemned Israel for living "after the manners of the nations" around them (Ezekiel 11:12), adopting pagan religious practices and social customs. The prophets consistently argued that Israel's manner of life should be distinct, shaped by God's law rather than by the prevailing culture.
Manner in Worship and Law
The manner of worship receives extensive attention in the Pentateuch. The priests were instructed to perform sacrifices "after the manner" prescribed by God, with specific details about how offerings were to be prepared, presented, and consumed (Exodus 21:9; Leviticus 5:10). Deviation from the prescribed manner could bring severe consequences, as illustrated by the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, who offered fire "in a manner not commanded" by the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2).
The Hebrew word for "judgment" or "ordinance" is often translated as "manner" when it refers to established legal or religious practice. When the Assyrians settled foreigners in the territory of the former northern kingdom, the newcomers did not know "the manner of the God of the land" (2 Kings 17:26), meaning they were unfamiliar with the proper way to worship the God of Israel.
Manner as Personal Character
Beyond custom, the Bible uses "manner" to describe individual character and behavior. David asked about a mysterious visitor, "What manner of man was he?" (2 Kings 1:7), seeking to identify someone by their appearance and bearing. The disciples asked the same kind of question about Jesus after he calmed the storm: "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" (Matthew 8:27).
Paul frequently discussed the manner of life expected of believers. He reminded the Thessalonians of "what manner of men we were among you" (1 Thessalonians 1:5) and urged the Ephesians to "no longer walk as the Gentiles do" (Ephesians 4:17). Peter asked, "What manner of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:11).
Manners in the New Testament Church
The early church faced constant decisions about which cultural manners to adopt, adapt, or reject. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs. Paul navigated the tension between Jewish and Gentile manners throughout his ministry, arguing that in Christ, the old divisions between customs and peoples were overcome (Galatians 3:28).
Paul also warned that "bad company corrupts good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33), quoting the Greek poet Menander to make the point that the social customs and moral habits of one's companions inevitably shape one's own character. The manner of a believer's life was to be shaped by the gospel rather than by cultural conformity.
The Manner of Christ
Ultimately, the Bible presents Jesus as the model for all manner of living. He demonstrated the manner of true humility by washing his disciples' feet (John 13:4-15). He showed the manner of sacrificial love by laying down his life (John 15:13). His manner with outcasts, sinners, and the marginalized repeatedly shocked the religious establishment, revealing that God's manner of relating to humanity is characterized by grace, not rigid formalism. The call to believers is to adopt "the manner of Christ" in all areas of life.
Biblical Context
References to manner and manners appear across the entire Bible. In the Pentateuch, they define worship practices and distinguish Israel from surrounding nations (Leviticus 18:3; Exodus 21:9). In the historical books, they describe national customs and identify individuals (2 Kings 1:7; 17:26). The prophets condemn Israel for adopting foreign manners (Ezekiel 11:12). In the New Testament, manner describes the expected conduct of believers (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Peter 3:11) and the character of Jesus himself (Matthew 8:27).
Theological Significance
The biblical emphasis on manner teaches that how God's people live matters as much as what they believe. Manner is the outward expression of inner faith. Israel was called to a distinctive way of life that would set them apart as God's people, and the New Testament church received the same calling in a new context. The consistent warning against adopting the manners of surrounding cultures reveals that cultural accommodation without discernment can erode faithfulness. Ultimately, the manner of life God requires is modeled perfectly in Jesus Christ.
Historical Background
In the ancient Near East, customs and manners were closely tied to religious identity. Each nation had its own way of worship, dietary practices, and social conventions that set it apart. The Egyptians, for example, considered it an abomination to eat with foreigners (Genesis 43:32). The Greeks viewed non-Greek customs as barbaric. In the Roman period, local customs coexisted with imperial practices, creating the complex cultural environment in which the early church had to define its own manner of life. Paul's quotation of the Greek poet Menander (1 Corinthians 15:33) illustrates how the apostles engaged with the cultural wisdom of their time while maintaining a distinctly Christian ethic.