Topical Encyclopedia
The term "enlightened" in a biblical context often refers to the spiritual awakening or illumination that occurs when an individual gains understanding or insight into the truths of God. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture and is associated with the work of the Holy Spirit in revealing divine wisdom and knowledge to believers.
Biblical References:1.
Ephesians 1:18 : "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." In this passage, the Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesian believers, desiring that their spiritual eyes be opened to comprehend the hope and inheritance they have in Christ. This enlightenment is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, affecting the heart and soul.
2.
Hebrews 6:4-5 : "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age." Here, the author of Hebrews speaks of those who have experienced enlightenment as having a profound encounter with the divine. This enlightenment involves tasting the heavenly gift and partaking in the Holy Spirit, indicating a transformative experience.
3.
Psalm 119:130 : "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple." The psalmist highlights the enlightening power of God's Word. As Scripture is revealed and understood, it brings light to the mind and heart, guiding believers in truth and righteousness.
Theological Significance:In Christian theology, enlightenment is often associated with the process of sanctification, where the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers into all truth (
John 16:13). This spiritual enlightenment is not self-generated but is a gift from God, enabling believers to discern spiritual realities and live according to His will.
Enlightenment and Salvation:The concept of being enlightened is closely linked to the experience of salvation. When a person comes to faith in Christ, they are said to be brought out of darkness into His marvelous light (
1 Peter 2:9). This transition from darkness to light signifies a profound change in understanding and perception, as the believer is now able to see and comprehend the spiritual truths of the Gospel.
Practical Implications:For the believer, being enlightened means living in the light of God's truth. It involves a continual process of learning and growing in the knowledge of God through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. Enlightenment leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound understanding of His purposes.
Warnings Against False Enlightenment:Scripture also warns against false enlightenment, which can lead individuals away from the truth. The Apostle Paul cautions believers to be wary of deceptive philosophies and teachings that claim to offer enlightenment but are contrary to the Gospel (
Colossians 2:8). True enlightenment aligns with the teachings of Christ and the apostles, rooted in the authority of Scripture.
In summary, the biblical concept of being enlightened is a transformative experience that involves the opening of one's spiritual eyes to the truths of God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, and resulting in a life that reflects the light of Christ.
Greek
5428. phronesis -- understanding, practical wisdom... root, -) -- that brand of visceral opinion which pleases the Lord because God's
inworkings of faith ("divine ," 4102 ), ie Christ-
enlightened perspective which
...5461. photizo -- to shine, give light
... Word Origin from phos Definition to shine, give light NASB Word Usage bring to light
(2), brought (1),enlightened (3), enlightens (1), illumine (1), illumined...
5431. phrontizo -- to give heed, take thought
... ultimately from 5426 , so J. Thayer etc., "acting out one's inner, visceral opinion") --
properly, continuously connecting sight (enlightened inner perspective...
Strong's Hebrew
215. or -- to be or become light... root Definition to be or become light NASB Word Usage bright (1), brightened (2),
dawned (1), enlighten (2),
enlightened (1), enlightening (1), gave light (1
...Library
The HumbleEnlightened, and Carnal Reason Humbled; Or, the...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:11. The humbleenlightened, and carnal reason humbled;
or, The sovereignty of grace, Luke 10. 21 22. 1 There...
Infants notEnlightened as Soon as they are Born.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 36."Infants NotEnlightened as Soon as They are Born....
The HumbleEnlightened, and Carnal Reason Humbled. Luke 10:21,22.
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 11 The humbleenlightened, and carnal
reason humbled.... LM The humbleenlightened, and carnal reason humbled....
In the Birth of the Son Light Dawned, --And Darkness Fled from the...
... Hymn XV. In the Birth of the Son light dawned,"and darkness fled from
the world,"and the earth wasenlightened. 1. In the Birth...
Showing How a Man Should Live if He Would beEnlightened
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XXXIV. SHOWING HOW A MAN SHOULD LIVE IF HE WOULD
BEENLIGHTENED. The man who lives in true obedience and...
Concerning the Universal Redemption by Christ, and Also the Saving...
... Concerning the Universal Redemption by Christ, and also the Saving and Spiritual
Light, wherewith every man isenlightened. Concerning...
Fifth and Sixth Propositions. Concerning the Universal Redemption...
... FIFTH AND SIXTH PROPOSITIONS. Concerning the Universal Redemption by Christ, and
also the Saving and Spiritual Light, wherewith every man isenlightened....
The Second Rill Enlightens the Understanding
... Therefore thisenlightened man shall go out and shall mark his state and his life
from within and from without, and see whether he is perfectly like unto Christ...
Showing How we May Recognise those Men who Fail in Charity to All
... There are some men who are very subtle in words, and skilful in showing forth high
things, and yet do not enjoy thisenlightened condition, neither this common...
John Chapter i. 15-18
... of minds, there was a necessity that a man should give testimony regarding the light,
who was not in darkness, but who was alreadyenlightened; and nevertheless...
Thesaurus
Enlightened (13 Occurrences)...Enlightened (13 Occurrences). Matthew 6:22 The lamp of the body is the eye, if,
therefore, thine eye may be perfect, all thy body shall be
enlightened, (YLT).
...Enlighten (8 Occurrences)
... "His eyes wereenlightened," literally, "became bright." He had become weary and
faint with the day's exertions and anxieties, and now recovers (see Job 33:30...
Illuminate (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vi) To light up in token or rejoicing. 6. (a.)Enlightened. 7. (n.) One who
enlightened; esp., a pretender to extraordinary light and knowledge....
Illumination (2 Occurrences)
... 32 the King James Version, only, "the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated
(the Revised Version (British and American) "enlightened"), ye endured a...
Tasted (18 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 6:4 For concerning those who were onceenlightened and tasted of the heavenly
gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY...
Brightened (3 Occurrences)
... wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in
the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes wereenlightened....
Accountability
... There must, however, be a difference between the responsibility of a conscience
that has never beenenlightened and that of one which, having once been...
Honey (62 Occurrences)
... therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in
the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes wereenlightened....
Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... An earnest temper; may beenlightened (Numbers 25:11-13; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 9:2),
or ignorant and misdirected (Romans 10:2; Philippians 3:6). As a Christian...
Lightened (11 Occurrences)
... shook. (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Psalms 97:4 His lightningsenlightened the world:
the earth saw, and trembled. (Root in KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Resources
Does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean we can lose our salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Tibetan Buddhism? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Maitreya? Is Maitreya the antichrist? | GotQuestions.orgEnlightened: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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