The word "ethics" comes from the Greek ethos , which has two meanings in common Greek usage: custom or custom and ordinance or law, both of which are used in the New Testament. For example, in Acts 25:16 it is usually translated 'custom' ('it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone'), while in 1 Corinthians 15:33 Translated as "morals" or "character" ('Bad company ruins good morals', NIV).

The terms ethics and morals are often used interchangeably. You could say that ethics is the study or science of moral principles by which our actions are governed. Dennis Hollinger stated that ethics is "...the systematic study of standards of right and wrong, justice and injustice, good and evil, with the aim of applying these standards to real life."[1]

The Christian moral life is “…ordering our steps in every situation of life in accordance with the fundamental commitments of faith to which we subscribe as Christians.”[2]

Or, according to another definition: “Christian ethics attempts to provide a framework and method for making decisions that glorify the God revealed in the Bible, imitate Jesus, respond to the Holy Spirit, and promote the accomplishment of God’s purpose in the world.”[3]