Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Foolishness in the Bible is often characterized by a lack of wisdom, understanding, and reverence for God. It is frequently associated with moral and spiritual deficiencies rather than mere intellectual shortcomings. The term is used to describe actions, attitudes, and behaviors that are contrary to the wisdom and righteousness that God desires for His people.
Old Testament References:The concept of foolishness is prevalent in the Old Testament, particularly in the wisdom literature. In Proverbs, foolishness is contrasted with wisdom, and the fool is depicted as someone who despises instruction and correction.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse highlights the foundational role of reverence for God in acquiring true knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs 14:1 further illustrates the destructive nature of foolishness: "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Here, foolishness is shown to have tangible, negative consequences, leading to the ruin of what could have been established through wisdom.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, foolishness is often linked to spiritual blindness and a rejection of God's truth. The Apostle Paul addresses the folly of human wisdom in contrast to the wisdom of God. In
1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." This passage underscores the idea that what the world considers foolish—the message of the cross—is, in fact, the ultimate wisdom and power of God.
Jesus also speaks of foolishness in His parables. In
Matthew 7:26-27, He compares those who hear His words and do not act on them to a foolish man who builds his house on sand, leading to its collapse. This parable emphasizes the importance of not only hearing but also applying God's Word in one's life.
Characteristics of Foolishness:1.
Rejection of God’s Wisdom: Foolishness is marked by a refusal to accept and apply divine wisdom.
Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel."
2.
Moral and Spiritual Blindness: Foolishness often involves a lack of discernment and an inability to recognize spiritual truths.
Romans 1:21-22 describes those who, "although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts."
3.
Pride and Self-Sufficiency: A fool often exhibits pride, believing in their own sufficiency apart from God.
Proverbs 28:26 warns, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe."
4.
Destructive Behavior: Foolishness leads to actions that are harmful to oneself and others.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-13 notes, "The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness."
Consequences of Foolishness:The Bible warns of the dire consequences of living a life marked by foolishness.
Proverbs 19:3 states, "A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD." This highlights the self-destructive nature of foolishness and the tendency to blame God for the resulting troubles.
In the eschatological context, Jesus warns of the ultimate consequence of foolishness in the parable of the ten virgins (
Matthew 25:1-13). The foolish virgins, who were unprepared for the bridegroom's arrival, are shut out from the wedding feast, symbolizing the eternal separation from God for those who are spiritually unprepared.
Remedy for Foolishness:The Bible offers a remedy for foolishness through the pursuit of wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord.
James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Embracing humility, seeking God's guidance, and adhering to His Word are essential steps in overcoming foolishness and living a life that honors God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality of being foolish.
2. (n.) A foolish practice; an absurdity.
Greek
3472. moria --foolishness...foolishness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: moria Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-ree'-ah) Short Definition: folly, absurdity Definition: folly
...877. aphrosune --foolishness
...foolishness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aphrosune Phonetic
Spelling: (af-ros-oo'-nay) Short Definition: want of sense,foolishness...
454. anoia -- folly,foolishness
... folly,foolishness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anoia Phonetic
Spelling: (an'-oy-ah) Short Definition: folly, madness Definition: folly...
3474. moros -- dull, stupid, foolish
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition dull, stupid, foolish NASB Word Usage fool
(1), foolish (7), foolish things (1),foolishness (1), fools (2). foolish....
3471. moraino -- to be foolish
... moraino Phonetic Spelling: (mo-rah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I make foolish, taint,
make useless Definition: (a) I make foolish, turn tofoolishness, (b) I...
3473. morologia -- foolish talking
... grip) on reality. This is the "talk of fools, involvingfoolishness and sinning
together" (R. Trench, 121). See 3474 (). Word Origin...
Strong's Hebrew
5531. sikluth -- folly... folly. Word Origin from sakal Definition folly NASB Word Usage folly (5),
foolishness (1). folly,
foolishness. Or sikluwth (Eccl.
...5039. nebalah -- senselessness, disgrace
... NASB Word Usage act of folly (2), disgraceful act (1), disgraceful acts (1),
disgraceful thing (3), folly (3), foolishly (1),foolishness (1), nonsense (1)....
200. ivveleth -- folly
... Word Origin from the same as evil Definition folly NASB Word Usage folly (17),
foolish (1), foolishly (1),foolishness (6). folly,foolishness....
3689. kesel -- loins, stupidity, confidence
... Word Origin from kasal Definition loins, stupidity, confidence NASB Word Usage
confidence (4), folly and thefoolishness (1), foolish (1), loins (6), thighs (1...
5528. sakal -- to be foolish or a fool
... to be foolish or a fool NASB Word Usage acted foolishly (2), acted...foolishly
(1), done* (1), done...foolishly (1), foolishly (1),foolishness (2), make (1...
Library
Of theFoolishness of the Cross.
... XXXVI."Of theFoolishness of the Cross. I have spoken of the twofold sign
whence death proceeded, and again I have said that thence...
Of Wisdom andFoolishness.
... Chap. LVII."Of Wisdom andFoolishness. These things indeed are said with
acuteness; but we are able very readily to reply to them....
Of theFoolishness of the Philosophers.
... Chap. XL."Of theFoolishness of the Philosophers. There are innumerable sayings
and doings of the philosophers, by which theirfoolishness may be shown....
Foolishness of Preaching.
... Book I. Chapter LXII."Foolishness of Preaching. "Therefore Caiaphas,
again looking at me, and sometimes in the way of warning...
Of the Equity, Wisdom, andFoolishness of Christians.
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. XVII."Of the Equity, Wisdom,
andFoolishness of Christians. I have explained the...
Christ Crucified is an Offence andFoolishness to those who...
... Book VI. Chapter XII. Christ crucified is an offence andfoolishness to
those who declare that He was a mere man. The shock then...
But Since Celsus Has Declared it to be a Saying of Many Christians...
... But since Celsus has declared it to be a saying of many Christians, that "the wisdom
of this life is a bad thing, but thatfoolishness is good," we have to...
The First Epistle to the Corinthians the Pauline Salutation of...
... Marcion Only Perpetuates the Offence andFoolishness of Christ's Cross
by His Impious Severance of the Gospel from the Creator....
2 Cor. xi. 21
... paul the apostle. to the corinthians. Homily XXV. 2 Cor. xi. 21. 2 1 Corinthians
11:21 Yet whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak infoolishness,) I am bold also....
When Confessing the Divinity of Christ we Ought not to Pass Over...
... But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, to the Gentiles
foolishness: but to them that are saved, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power...
Thesaurus
Foolishness (30 Occurrences)...Foolishness (30 Occurrences). Mark 7:22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful
desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and
foolishness.
...Folly (68 Occurrences)
... Psalm 107:17 Proverbs 13:15; Proverbs 17:18, 19), with "sin" (Proverbs 24:9), with
the "scoffer" (same place); 'iwweleth, "foolishness" occurs (Psalm 38:5...
Foolish (259 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, andfoolishness. (Root in WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Madness (13 Occurrences)
... insanity. The words "mad" or "madness" occur 8 times, but usually in the
sense of paroxysms of passion, excitement, andfoolishness....
Fool (95 Occurrences)
... Psalm 107:17 Proverbs 13:15; Proverbs 17:18, 19), with "sin" (Proverbs 24:9), with
the "scoffer" (same place); 'iwweleth, "foolishness" occurs (Psalm 38:5...
World's (21 Occurrences)
... Where your investigator of the questions of this present age? Has not God
shown the world's wisdom to be utterfoolishness? (WEY)....
Mortar (16 Occurrences)
... mortar with a pestle.... yet will not hisfoolishness depart from him,"
ie it is inherent and ineradicable. Some have supposed an...
Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AHITHOPHEL. a-hith'-o-fel ('achithophel, "brother of
foolishness," perhaps): The real leader of the Absalom rebellion against David...
Fools (53 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools proclaimfoolishness. (WEB...
Preach (72 Occurrences)
... Corinthians 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom
didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through thefoolishness of the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about foolishness? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are both wisdom and foolishness pictured as women in Proverbs? | GotQuestions.orgDo Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 contradict? How can both verses be true? | GotQuestions.orgFoolishness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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