Bible Encyclopedias
Accept; Acceptable; Acceptation

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ak -sept ´, ak -sep´ta -b 'l , ak -sep -tā´shun : "To receive with favor," "to take pleasure in"; "well-pleasing"; "the act of receiving."

Accept, used (1) of sacrifice, "accept thy burnt-sacrifice" (דּשׁן , dāshēn , "accept as fat," i.e. receive favorably; Psalm 20:3 ); (2) of persons, "Yahweh accept Job" (Job 42:9 , נשׂא , nāsā ), "to lift up," "take," "receive"); (3) of works, "a the work of his hands" (Deuteronomy 33:11 רצה , rācāh , "to delight in"). In New Testament (1) of favors, "We accept ... with all thankfulness" (ἀποδέχομαι , apodéchomai , Acts 24:3 ); (2) of personal appeal, "He accept our exhortation" (2 Corinthians 8:17 ); (3) of God's Impartiality (λαμβάνω , lambánō , "to take," "receive"); "accepteth not man's person" (Galatians 2:6 ).

Acceptable, used (1) of justice (בּחר , bāḥar , "choose select"), "more accept ... than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3 ); (2) of words (חפץ , ḥēphec , "delight in," "sought ... accept words" (Ecclesiastes 12:10 ); (3) of times (רצון , rācōn , "delight," "approbation"; δεκτός , dektós , "receivable") "acceptable year of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:2 (King James Version); Luke 4:19 ); (4) of spiritual sacrifice (ευπρόσδεκτος , euprósdektȯs , "well received"), "acceptable to God" (1 Peter 2:5 ); (5) of patient endurance (χάρις , cháris , "grace," "favor") "This is acceptable with God" (1 Peter 2:20 ).

Acceptation, used twice to indicate the trustworthiness of the gospel of Christ's saving grace: "worthy of all acceptation." (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:9 ).

These words are full of the abundant grace of God and are rich in comfort to believers. That which makes man, in word, work and character, acceptable to God; and renders It possible for God to accept him, his service and sacrifice, is the fullness of the Divine mercy and grace and forgiveness. He "chose us" and made us, as adopted sons, the heirs of His grace "which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" ( Ephesians 1:6; compare the King James Version).