What are some of the most important books, chapters, or verses in the New Testament concerning Christian ethics and/or philosophy?

The purpose of God's word is that we become like Jesus and discover how we love because of being like Christ. And any scripture can be used by God to have us be and love like Jesus.

So, right away, we need to not limit our question to scriptures in the New Testament. The New Testament uses earlier scriptures, right?

So, actually, whatever scripture God uses, at the time, is His important scripture.

But for what you mean, I think of Philippians 2:13-16.

Below, I would like to offer some comments about each of these verses >

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

God in us works us to do what He means by any scripture. And He is better than we are; so He has us succeeding in doing better than we can think and try to get ourselves to do.

Paul here says God works in us "to will"; so God works our *willing*. Therefore, philosophically, we can see how much God wants us to depend on Him at every moment, and not glorify our own human wills and ability to choose.

Because our Father desires to so personally and intimately share with us, even by working our willing, not leaving us on our own for anything.

And so we really come to know God's word, by submitting to Him and seeing how He has us willing and doing what He means by each scripture.

And so, I think we can see how God has us study His word. He does not just have us doing intellectual study, but a good teacher *demonstrates*, right? Yes, God in us does with us what He means by what He says > this includes how in us He changes us to become submissive to Him like how Jesus is submissive to our Father. And while we are submitting to God, here is how He has us live and love >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing," (Philippians 2:14)

Arguing and complaining are forbidden by God's word! While God is living and working in us *and in our relating*, He does not have us complaining or arguing. And so, in order to be faithful to Jesus, we do not have relationships *in* us with anything which would have us argue or complain; or else, we are cheating on our Groom Jesus, and being a bad example to children and others > arguing and complaining are a bad example not helping people to find out how to love.

"that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation," (Philippians 2:16)

With God, we can refuse to give in to anything *in us* which would have us complain or argue; and as we do this, God can change our character to how His love is, instead. And then we enjoy discovering how creative we can be in our relating.

God's love cures us to be "blameless and harmless" and "without fault". And God is almighty to do this in us, now, in this evil world's "crooked and perverse generation".

And so God does not desire to stay distant from us!! And therefore this is basic to expect with God, if we have trusted in Jesus.

rturner76 said:

I think this is a very important question. When studying the New Testament, are there any places that conceptualize what it means to be a Christian in terms of ethics and philosophy? Are there any places where these questions are answere more concisely or specifically. It's something that I think about because I don't want to say the Bible contradicts itself but people interpret things that they read differently.

I'm not starting this to be a debate. I want to see if there are things that can be agreed upon universally.

In my personal opinion, it seems the sermon on the mount is one of the most precise description of Christian ethics. Christ doesn't seem to be laying out what laws to follow but what way of living or thinking is blessed. I believe following the Batitudes will bless people both on Earth ad in the beyond. In fact, I believe that Matthew Chapters 5 through 7 unites all Christians.

Any thoughts?

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On this topic, my thoughts are generally the same as yours are, as far as I can tell. Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount pretty much does capture the "Way" that Jesus wants us to follow Him. Everything else that can be read from Paul, Peter, John, James, or others, seems to be a reflection of what Jesus already laid out.

Sermon on the Mount by far the most important to study. Moses, David and Red Letters, Jesus.

Clearly all of God's word is important, but if you're talking about breaking it down to important concepts, I would say Luke 10: 25-28 are a nice summation. It's true that the people in that day lived under the old law, but the concept still holds true and the words come from the Lord himself.

25 And behold, a certain [h]lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Of course, we need to obey all the commands of the Lord, but this is a great summary of how people should look at life.

Abide in Me and I in you. (John 15:4a)

Indeed the rest of the verse and the entire 15th chapter are critical to "Christian ethics". Essentially it is impossible
to be a one living true "Christian ethics" without abiding, remaining, lingering, walking in Christ the available true vine in which
the branches derive all of thier life and action. He today is the indwelling life giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45)

the last Adam became a life giving Spirit (1 Cor.15:45b)

So the entire verse - (with its preliminary verse 1)

I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. (v.1)

Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (v.4)

The letters of James and Peter provide practical wisdom on living out faith through righteous actions and ethical conduct.

James emphasizes the integration of faith and works, stressing that true faith manifests itself in actions that demonstrate love, mercy, and justice towards others (James 1:22-27; 2:14-26)

Similarly, Peter encourages believers to live as "strangers and exiles" in this world, maintaining honorable conduct among unbelievers, even in the face of persecution (1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:8-12