civil

Etymology

From Middle English cyvyl, civil, borrowed from Old French civil, from Latin cīvīlis (“relating to a citizen”), from cīvis (“citizen”). Cognate with Old English hīwen (“household”), hīrǣden (“family”). More at hind; hird. Doublet of civic.

adj

1. (not comparable) Having to do with people and government office as opposed to the military or religion.
   She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.
2. (comparable) Behaving in a reasonable or polite manner; avoiding displays of hostility.
   It was very civil of him to stop the argument.
   They despise each other, but they are always civil in public.
3. (archaic) In a peaceful and well-ordered state.
4. (law) Relating to private relations among citizens, as opposed to criminal matters.
   a civil case
5. Secular.
   As if our Saviour had said, No man can enter into heaven except he be born again; so as he speaketh not only of notorious Sinners, as Adulterers, Drunkards, Swearers, & c. but of all who are in their natural condition, tho' they live never so unblameably, free from scandalous sins, if they be not born again, their civil Righteousness will do them little good, for they shall never see the Kingdom of God. 1680, A Practical Discourse of Regeneration
   The word from which "evil" in Romans 13.4 is translated means "generally opposed to civil goodness or virtue, in a commonwealth, and not to spiritual good, or religion, in the church. 2008, Jerald Finney, God Betrayed, page 174
   Some grammarians explain this passage as referring to a civil sanctity, in respect of the children being reckoned legitimate, but in this respect the condition of unbelievers is in no degree worse. 2013, John Calvin, Calvin's Complete Commentary, Volume 7: Acts to Ephesians