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responsible vs accountable

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mhykx:
As I've said in my personal introduction, English is not my first language.

I do have some understanding on words like responsible and accountable.  Without looking the dictionary, I think the word "responsible" means bearing the guilt of someone's mistake (ex. I'm responsible why the car broke since I allowed him to drive it although I know that he is not a good driver).  Accountable, on the other hand, means to pay for someone's mistake (did I get this right?) or be the one to explain why a mistake happened (ex. Although I know that he is not a good driver, he is still has to explain [or accountable] why the car broke).

Funny thing is, however, when I consulted the dictionary, these two words (responsible, accountable) can be used intechangeably.  Now that made me confused.

Can anyone give other sample sentences differentiating these two words?  Mr. Ray used these to explain how God is responsbile to mankind's sin but each man is accountable to his deeds.

Thanks,
Mike

Ninny:
Hi Mike,
First i think you kind of answered your own question. Being responsible for something means you are answerable for the deed or whatever. Being accountable would mean being held in a position of answering or being held to give an account or restitution for the deed done.
Number 1. Caused it to happen or caused the circumstances for which it happened (God does this)
Number 2. You are actually required to give an account of it or make restitution or suffer the consequences for your actions in regards to the doing of the deed or action. (This is us)
Well, that may not really be helpful, but as you are here for awhile you will understand that this:

Is just the way I see it! :D
Hoping you get your answers!
Kathy ;)

Dave in Tenn:
Hi Mike.  We are accountable because we do the things we do.  God is responsible, because we are His workmanship.

We have accountability.  He takes responsibility.  

In both cases, it is not so much the dictionary definitions of them, but the scriptural principles to which they point that's important.  The difference between them is mostly in--to WHOM they are applied.

ex. I'm responsible why the car broke since I allowed him to drive it although I know that he is not a good driver).  Accountable, on the other hand, means to pay for someone's mistake (did I get this right?) or be the one to explain why a mistake happened (ex. Although I know that he is not a good driver, he is still has to explain [or accountable] why the car broke).

Not exactly.  There's too many 'characters' in that analogy to make this make sense.  But simply put, whoever pays for the car takes responsibility for the payment, whether or not he has any accountability for the damage.

Accountability/Accountable is more passive.
Responsibility/Responsible is more active

Responsiblity is also a character-trait, and a good one.  Accountability is not a character-trait, just a fact about someone.

I hope that helps a little.

aqrinc:

Mike,

Put Simply, GOD IS In Total Control, according to the Scriptures. If He is in Control
then The Responsibility is HIS Alone. We though; being sinners by nature take from
the choices he gives us. Left to ourselves we always take the choice to satisfy self
(sinning stuff). For this choice we are accountable; since HE put all the choices out
there for us; HE Is Responsible.

Here are a few Scriptures that show Who is Responsible for Everything.

Isa 29:16  O your perversity! Shall the former be counted as the potter's clay; for
shall the work say of him who made it, He did not make me? Or shall the thing formed
say to him who formed it, He had no understanding?

Jer 18:2 
Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My Words.
Jer 18:3 
Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he was working a work on the wheel.
Jer 18:4 
And the vessel that he made in clay was ruined in the hand of the potter; so he made it again
another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
Jer 18:5 
Then the Word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
Jer 18:6 
O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? says Jehovah. Behold, As the clay in
the potter's hands, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Rom 9:21  Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make
one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?

george. :)

mhykx:

--- Quote from: Dave in Tenn on February 05, 2009, 08:43:26 PM ---
We have accountability.  He takes responsibility.  

...........

Accountability/Accountable is more passive.
Responsibility/Responsible is more active


--- End quote ---

Does this "accountability" means that one is going to pay for whatever wrong deeds he made in this life?

What do you mean when you say "Accountability/Accountable is more passive."?

Thanks for everybody's insights!

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