Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies. 2. (a.) Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. 3. (a.) Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water. 4. (a.) Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language. 5. (a.) Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic. 6. (a.) Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious. 7. (a.) Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party. 8. (n.) One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LIBERAL; LIBERALITY; LIBERALLY lib'-er-al, lib-er-al'-i-ti, lib'-er-al-i: The different forms of the word all refer to one who is generous, bountiful, willing and ready to give and to help. Both the Hebrew words of the Old Testament and the Greek words of the New Testament translated into the English word "liberal" have a deeper and nobler meaning than is generally conveyed by the English word. In Proverbs 11:25, the liberal soul (nephesh berakhah) means a soul that carries a blessing. In Isaiah 32:5, the American Standard Revised Version has "bountiful" where the King James Version has "liberal," and in Isaiah 32:8 "noble" takes the place of "liberal" (nadhibh). The principal Greek words are haplotes literally, "simplicity," "sincerity," and charis, "grace," "favor." In 1 Corinthians 16:3, "bounty" substitutes "liberality." It is well to bear in mind that a Biblical liberality can spring only out of a noble soul, and is Godlike in its genesis and spirit. G. H. Gerberding

Multi-Version Concordance Liberal (11 Occurrences) Acts 10:2 He was religious and God-fearing--and so was every member of his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people, and continually offered prayer to God. (WEY RSV) Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Root in WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV) 2 Corinthians 8:7 Yes, just as you are already very rich in faith, readiness of speech, knowledge, unwearied zeal, and in the love that is in you, implanted by us, see to it that this grace of liberal giving also flourishes in you. (WEY) 2 Corinthians 8:20 For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge. (WEY RSV NIV) 2 Corinthians 9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all; (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS) 1 Timothy 6:18 They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and liberal; (WEY DBY RSV) Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to be kind and liberal; for with sacrifices of that sort God is greatly pleased. (WEY) Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) Proverbs 19:6 Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (ASV JPS) Isaiah 32:5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. (KJV JPS WBS) Isaiah 32:8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. (KJV JPS WBS)