Accountability

Accountability is answerability for one's conduct. Every one shall give account of himself to God, believers are to confess their faults to one another and restore those overtaken in a fault, and those who lead must give account for those in their care.

Giving account to God

• Romans 14:12
  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
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• Hebrews 4:13
  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
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• Matthew 12:36
  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
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• 2 Corinthians 5:10
  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
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• Ecclesiastes 12:14
  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
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Sharpening one another

• Proverbs 27:17
  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
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• Hebrews 3:13
  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
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• Hebrews 10:24-25
  ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
  ⁹Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. ¹⁰For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!
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Confessing to one another

• James 5:16
  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
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• Proverbs 28:13
  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
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Restoring one another

• Galatians 6:1-2
  ¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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• Matthew 18:15
  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
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• James 5:19-20
  ¹⁹Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, ²⁰Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
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Receiving correction

• Proverbs 27:5-6
  ⁵Open rebuke is better than secret love.Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. ⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
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• Proverbs 12:1
  Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
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• 2 Samuel 12:7
  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
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Leaders give account

• Hebrews 13:17
  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
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• James 3:1
  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
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• Luke 12:48
  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
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See also

• Confession
• Church discipline
• Judgment
• Friendship

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.