Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unintelligent" is not directly used in the Bible; however, the Scriptures address concepts related to lack of wisdom, understanding, and discernment, which can be associated with unintelligence. The Bible often contrasts wisdom and folly, highlighting the spiritual and moral dimensions of intelligence.
Lack of Wisdom and UnderstandingThe Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding, which are gifts from God.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Here, the term "fools" can be understood as those who are unintelligent in a spiritual sense, as they reject the knowledge and wisdom that come from reverence for God.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual understanding. In
Ephesians 4:18 , he writes about those who are "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage suggests that spiritual unintelligence is linked to a willful ignorance and a rejection of God's truth.
Folly and FoolishnessThe Bible often uses the term "fool" to describe someone who is morally and spiritually unintelligent. In
Proverbs 12:15 , it is written, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." This highlights the self-deception and lack of discernment that characterize foolishness.
Jesus also addresses the concept of foolishness in His teachings. In
Matthew 7:26 , He says, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." Here, the lack of wisdom and understanding is equated with a failure to act on Jesus' teachings, leading to spiritual ruin.
Spiritual DiscernmentThe Bible encourages believers to seek spiritual discernment, which is a form of intelligence that goes beyond mere intellectual ability. In
1 Corinthians 2:14 , Paul writes, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." This passage underscores the idea that true understanding and intelligence are rooted in spiritual insight, which is a gift from the Holy Spirit.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting wisdom and understanding to believers. In
John 14:26 , Jesus promises, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." This teaching suggests that spiritual intelligence is cultivated through the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not use the term "unintelligent," it provides a comprehensive understanding of the spiritual and moral dimensions of intelligence. True wisdom and understanding are portrayed as gifts from God, accessible through reverence for Him and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures warn against the folly of rejecting God's wisdom and encourage believers to seek spiritual discernment.
Greek
801. asunetos -- without understanding... understanding. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asunetos Phonetic Spelling:
(as-oon'-ay-tos) Short Definition:
unintelligent, unwise, undiscerning
...453. anoetos -- not understanding
... foolish, unwise. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of noieo;
unintelligent; by implication, sensual -- fool(-ish), unwise. see GREEK a....
Library
He Accuses the Christian Teacher, Moreover of "Seeking after the...
... Chapter LXXIV. He accuses the Christian teacher, moreover of "seeking after
theunintelligent.? He accuses the Christian teacher...
That the Self-Existent Being must be Intelligent.
... For a mere necessary agent must of necessity either be plainly and directly in the
grossest senseunintelligent; which was the ancient atheist's notion of the...
Moral Obligation.
... 4. Not tounintelligent acts of will.... Purely instinctive volitions must also
come under the category ofunintelligent actions of will....
The Contents. The Introduction, Concerning the Causes of Atheism 1
... That, if Intelligence be a real distinct Quality or Perfection, and not a mere Effect
or Composition ofUnintelligent Figure and Motion, then Beings indued...
Systematic Theology. Lecture I.
... In its generic signification, it is applicable to every kind of action, whether
of matter or of mind"whether intelligent orunintelligent"whether free or...
Introduction
... would be thought to do so; or, (which is all one,) who deny the principal attributes
of the divine nature, and suppose God to be anunintelligent being, which...
While Writing, Being Blinded by Corporeal Images, He Failed to...
... [331] "Or anunintelligent soul;' very good mss. reading sensu,' the majority,
it appears, sexu.' If we read sexu,' the absolute...
Editor's Preface
... communities to which they were addressed in the first century, and this involves
literary and historical criticism; otherwise, our reading becomesunintelligent...
Nature of Covenanting.
... But this it will be employed to do in the character of a sovereign arrangement suited
not tounintelligent creation, but to the moral agent man....
The Importance of the Death of Christ in Preaching and in Theology
... It may be made not merely by theunintelligent, who fail to distinguish form from
substance, but by the simple Christian spirit which has the anointing from...
Thesaurus
Unintelligent (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Unintelligent (5 Occurrences). Mark 7:18 And
he says to them, Are ye also thus
unintelligent? Do ye not
...Unintelligible (3 Occurrences)
Uninstructed (2 Occurrences)
Entering (124 Occurrences)
... that defile the man. (KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT). Mark 7:18 And he says to them,
Are ye also thusunintelligent? Do ye not perceive that...
Brute (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Having the physical powers predominating over the mental; coarse; unpolished;
unintelligent. 5. (a.) Rough; uncivilized; unfeeling....
Brutish (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a brute or brutes;
of a cruel, gross, and stupid nature; coarse; unfeeling;unintelligent. Int....
Says (1491 Occurrences)
... Mark 7:18 And he says to them, Are ye also thusunintelligent? Do ye not perceive
that all that is outside entering into the man cannot defile him, (DBY)....
Resources
What does the Bible mean when it says, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'”? | GotQuestions.orgIs God a delusion? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there some pastors who do not believe? | GotQuestions.orgUnintelligent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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