The term describes what is according to law—either lawful actions or persons under law's authority. Paul tells the Corinthians he is not outside God's law but under Christ's law (1 Cor 9:21). In Acts, leaders say lawful matters should be settled in the regular assembly, not a riot (Acts 19:39). The word carries both positive (legitimate, proper) and descriptive (subject to law) senses. Classical usage included legal assemblies, lawful ages or times, and persons living uprightly within legal bounds.