Topical Encyclopedia
The term "intelligible" refers to that which can be understood or comprehended. In the context of the Bible, intelligibility is often associated with the clarity and understanding of God's Word, the communication of spiritual truths, and the edification of the church through clear teaching and prophecy.
Biblical Context1.
Clarity in Communication: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of intelligibility in the context of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues. In
1 Corinthians 14:9, Paul states, "So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air." Here, Paul underscores the necessity of clear communication within the church so that all may be edified and understand the message being conveyed.
2.
Prophecy and Edification: In the same chapter, Paul contrasts speaking in tongues with prophecy, highlighting that prophecy is more beneficial for the church because it is intelligible and thus edifies the congregation.
1 Corinthians 14:19 says, "But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." This passage illustrates the priority of understanding and instruction over mere spiritual display.
3.
The Role of Interpretation: When discussing the gift of tongues, Paul also mentions the necessity of interpretation to make the message intelligible to the listeners. In
1 Corinthians 14:27-28, he advises, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God." This instruction ensures that the church service remains orderly and that all present can understand and benefit from the message.
4.
The Word of God: The Bible itself is presented as the intelligible revelation of God to humanity.
Psalm 119:130 states, "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." This verse highlights the clarity and accessibility of God's Word, which is intended to enlighten and instruct believers.
5.
Jesus Christ as the Logos: In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "Logos" or "Word" (
John 1:1), signifying the ultimate expression and communication of God to humanity. Jesus' teachings were often delivered in parables and straightforward messages that were meant to be understood by His audience, though sometimes requiring spiritual insight for deeper comprehension.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of intelligibility in the Bible underscores the importance of clear and understandable communication of God's truths. It reflects the desire for believers to grow in knowledge and faith through teachings that are accessible and comprehensible. This principle is foundational for preaching, teaching, and the use of spiritual gifts within the church, ensuring that all members are edified and equipped for service.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Capable of being understood or comprehended; as, intelligible pronunciation, writing.
Greek
2154. eusemos -- clear... clear. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eusemos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-say-mos) Short Definition: with clear meaning,
intelligible Definition: with
...Library
Whether theIntelligible Species are Derived by the Soul from...
... HOW THE SOUL WHILE UNITED TO THE BODY UNDERSTANDS CORPOREAL THINGS BENEATH IT (EIGHT
ARTICLES) Whether theintelligible species are derived by the soul from...
Whether theIntelligible Species Abstracted from the Phantasm is...
... OF THE MODE AND ORDER OF UNDERSTANDING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether theintelligible
species abstracted from the phantasm is related to our intellect as that which...
Whether the Intellect Can Actually Understand through the...
... UNITED TO THE BODY UNDERSTANDS CORPOREAL THINGS BENEATH IT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
the intellect can actually understand through theintelligible species of...
That the Pre-Eminent Cause of Every Object ofIntelligible...
... MYSTIC THEOLOGY. CAPUT V. That the pre-eminent Cause of every object ofintelligible
perception is none of the objects ofintelligible perception....
Simon's Forced Interpretation of Scripture; Plagiarizes from...
... Chapter IV."Simon's Forced Interpretation of Scripture; Plagiarizes from Heraclitus
and Aristotle; Simon's System of Sensible andIntelligible Existences....
Let Heretics Maintain their Claims by a Definite andIntelligible...
... Chapter XXXV."Let Heretics Maintain Their Claims by a Definite andIntelligible
Evidence This the Only Method of Solving Their Questions....
That the Jews Would not Understand the Holy Scriptures, but that...
... First Book. 4. That the Jews would not understand the Holy Scriptures, but that
they would beintelligible in the last times, after that Christ had come....
Whether God Understands Himself?
... Hence the Philosopher says (De Anima iii) that "the sensible in act is sense in
act, and theintelligible in act is intellect in act." For the reason why we...
Whether an Angel Can Understand Many Things at the Same Time?
... Objection 2: Further, nothing is understood unless the intellect be informed by
anintelligible species; just at the body is formed by shape....
Whether There is an Active Intellect?
... Objection 1: It would seem that there is no active intellect. For as the senses
are to things sensible, so is our intellect to thingsintelligible....
Thesaurus
Intelligible (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Capable of being understood or comprehended; as,
intelligible pronunciation, writing.
...Intelligible (3 Occurrences).
...Asahel (17 Occurrences)
... Coming from an annotator, the criticism regards this meaning asintelligible;
is it any the less so if we regard it as coming from the author?...
Anthropomorphism
... to Deity physical characters, mental and moral attributes, like those of man, merely
means to make the Divine nature and operationsintelligible, not to...
Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... themselves. We are far from claiming that the titles are alwaysintelligible
to us, or that, when understood, they are always correct....
Joel (22 Occurrences)
... And then the transition to Joel 1:8 becomesintelligible, in which certainly the
land is personified as a female: "Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth...
Vessel (118 Occurrences)
... But in 1 Samuel 21:8, in the immediate context of the verse above, keli certainly
means "weapons," and this translation is quiteintelligible in 21:5 also....
Namely (81 Occurrences)
... 20 For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections--namely His
eternal power and divine nature--have been renderedintelligible and clearly...
Nonsense (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which is not sense, or has no sense; words, or language, which have
no meaning, or which convey nointelligible ideas; absurdity....
Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... 6. (v.) To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide;
to make less visible,intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or...
Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... (5) In 1 Corinthians 14:16, "occupy," the King James Version rendering of anapleroun,
would still be asintelligible to most as the Revised Version (British...
Resources
What is the gift of speaking in tongues? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there so many different Christian interpretations? | GotQuestions.orgIntelligible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
