Topical Encyclopedia
The term "feeble-minded" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be related to various passages that discuss mental weakness, lack of wisdom, or spiritual immaturity. In biblical times, mental and spiritual conditions were often intertwined, and the understanding of mental health was not as developed as it is today. The Bible provides guidance on how to treat those who may be considered weak in mind or spirit, emphasizing compassion, support, and encouragement.
Biblical Context and Usage1.
Weakness and Support: The Bible frequently addresses the need to support those who are weak, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. In
1 Thessalonians 5:14 , Paul exhorts the church: "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." Here, "fainthearted" can be understood as those who are easily discouraged or lacking in mental fortitude, and the call is to encourage and support them.
2.
Wisdom and Understanding: The Scriptures often contrast wisdom with foolishness, which can be seen as a form of mental or spiritual feebleness.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." The Bible encourages the pursuit of wisdom and understanding as a remedy for spiritual and mental weakness.
3.
Spiritual Maturity: The New Testament speaks to the need for believers to grow in spiritual maturity, moving beyond a state of spiritual infancy. In
Hebrews 5:12-14 , the author laments that some believers have not progressed in their understanding: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!" This passage highlights the importance of developing a mature faith and understanding.
4.
Compassion and Care: Jesus exemplified compassion for those who were marginalized or considered weak by society. In
Matthew 25:40 , He teaches, "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’" This underscores the Christian duty to care for all individuals, regardless of their mental or spiritual state.
5.
Renewal of the Mind: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the transformation and renewal of the mind as a key aspect of Christian life.
Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This renewal is seen as essential for overcoming spiritual and mental weaknesses.
Practical ApplicationIn a Christian context, addressing the needs of the feeble-minded involves a combination of spiritual guidance, community support, and practical care. Churches are encouraged to create environments where individuals can grow in faith and wisdom, receive encouragement, and find healing through the love and truth of the Gospel. The biblical mandate is clear: believers are to bear one another's burdens (
Galatians 6:2) and to build each other up in love and good deeds (
Hebrews 10:24).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Weak in intellectual power; wanting firmness or constancy; irresolute; vacilating; imbecile.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FEEBLE-MINDEDfe'-b'-l-min'-ded (oligopsuchos): Only in1 Thessalonians 5:14 the King James Version, in the sense of "fainthearted," as in the Revised Version (British and American). In Septuagint it is used as the equivalent of koshel, the tottering or feeble-kneed inIsaiah 35:3;Isaiah 54:6; oligopsuchia occurs in Septuagint twice (Exodus 6:9Psalm 54:7), for "anguish of spirit" and "trouble." The term refers to weakness of will and vacillation of purpose rather than to idiocy or morbid imbecility.
Greek
3642. oligopsuchos -- fainthearted...feebleminded. From oligos and pshar; little-spirited, ie Faint-hearted --
feebleminded.
see HEBREW pshar. see GREEK oligos. (oligopsuchous) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Library
The God of all Comfort
... in this "all." It would not be "all" if there should be a single one left out, no
matter how insignificant, or unworthy, or even howfeeble-minded that one...
The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting...
... For I see many who are sofeeble-minded, that at the present season they are anxious
about the following Lent; and I have heard many saying, that after their...
1 Thessalonians v. 12, 13
... For this is destructive equally with sloth. He who cannot bear an insult is
feeble-minded. He who cannot endure trial isfeeble-minded....
On visiting the Sick
... which they had received. Is it not hence that many who were once strong
in faith are now weak andfeeble-minded? And yet they are...
Hebrews iii. 11-Jul
... This he says also in writing to the Thessalonians, "Warn them that are unruly" (
1 Thess. v.14 ), but in speaking of thefeeble-minded, not so, but what?...
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians
... After exhorting the brethren to honor their spiritual leaders, and urging them to
warn the unruly, to comfort thefeeble-minded, to support the weak, and to...
The Wilderness State
... he slay me, yet will I trust in him," is no more the language of their heart; but
they are shorn of their strength, and become weak andfeeble-minded, even as...
To Eusebius, Bishop of Persian Armenia.
... for the rest, and that much more for the sick than for the whole, for it is an
apostolic precept which exclaims "Comfort thefeeble minded, support the weak...
Letter cclxi. To the Sozopolitans.
... It was started long ago by thefeeble-minded Valentinus, who, after tearing off
a few of the Apostle's statements, constructed for himself this impious...
Letter ccxix. (AD 436. )
... in regard to him the apostolic precept, "Warn the unruly," so it was our part to
obey the precept immediately annexed, "Comfort thefeeble-minded, and support...
Thesaurus
Feebleminded (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FEEBLE-
MINDED. fe'-b'-l
... imbecility. Multi-Version
Concordance
Feebleminded (1 Occurrence). 1 Thessalonians
...Feeble-minded (2 Occurrences)
Feeble-minded.Feebleminded,Feeble-minded. Feebleness . Noah Webster's Dictionary...
(BBE).Feebleminded,Feeble-minded. Feebleness . Reference Bible.
Unruly (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
thefeebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men....
Warn (35 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
thefeebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men....
Infirm (25 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly,
comfort thefeeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient unto all; (YLT)....
Feeble-hearted (2 Occurrences)
Feeble-hearted. Feeble-handed, Feeble-hearted.Feebleminded . Multi-Version
Concordance... Feeble-handed, Feeble-hearted.Feebleminded . Reference Bible.
Feebleness (5 Occurrences)
Comfort (130 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
thefeebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men....
Error (90 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 45:20 And this you are to do on the seventh day of the month for everyone
who is in error and for thefeeble-minded: you are to make the house free...
Resources
Is faith in God a crutch? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God give some people a higher IQ than He gave others? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be sober-minded? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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