Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unskillful" in a biblical context often refers to a lack of maturity or proficiency, particularly in spiritual matters. This concept is addressed in the New Testament, where it is associated with spiritual immaturity and the need for growth in understanding and applying God's Word.
Biblical References:1.
Hebrews 5:12-14 : "Although 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! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil."
In this passage, the author of Hebrews admonishes the recipients for their lack of spiritual maturity. The term "inexperienced" in the Berean Standard Bible is synonymous with "unskillful" in other translations. The imagery of milk versus solid food illustrates the difference between basic teachings and deeper, more complex doctrines. The unskillful are those who have not yet developed the ability to discern and apply the deeper truths of the faith.
2.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 : "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready."
Here, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church, highlighting their spiritual immaturity. The use of "infants in Christ" suggests a lack of skill in spiritual matters, indicating that they have not progressed beyond the elementary teachings of the faith. This unskillfulness is linked to their inability to handle more advanced spiritual truths.
Theological Implications:The concept of being unskillful in the Bible is closely tied to the idea of spiritual growth and maturity. It suggests a need for believers to move beyond the basics of the faith and to develop a deeper understanding and application of God's Word. This growth is essential for discerning good from evil and for living a life that is pleasing to God.
Practical Application:For believers, the call to move from unskillfulness to maturity involves a commitment to studying Scripture, engaging in prayer, and participating in the life of the church. It requires a willingness to be taught and to teach others, as well as a dedication to applying biblical principles in everyday life. The journey from spiritual infancy to maturity is marked by a growing ability to understand and live out the truths of the Christian faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not skillful; inexperienced; awkward; bungling; as, an unskillful surgeon or mechanic; an unskillful logician.
2. (a.) Lacking discernment; injudicious; ignorant.
Greek
552. apeiros -- without experience of... of. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: apeiros Phonetic Spelling:
(ap'-i-ros) Short Definition: inexperienced,
unskillful Definition: inexperienced
...Library
Rule for Interpreting those Sayings and Actions which are Ascribed...
... Chapter 12."Rule for Interpreting Those Sayings and Actions Which are Ascribed to
God and the Saints, and Which Yet Seem to theUnskillful to Be Wicked. 18....
Verse the Fourteenth 1.
... In this sense, beingunskillful and inexperienced in the doctrine of piety, and
the knowledge of the gospel, they are called carnal in opposition to those who...
Human Characters Determined Only by Divine Decision.
... enemies. They represented him as an unfaithful, orunskillful laborer in the
gospel, and as one who was not a subject of divine grace....
On the Feast of a Holy Confessor
... them for long; for, however they may live, they will never reach their true ground;
for, to whatever they may devote themselves in such anunskillful way, and...
A Confirmation of what Hath Been Said, Particularly of the...
... that had a great desire to go to Jerusalem; and because he knew not the right way,
he addressed himself for advice to one that he hoped was notunskillful in it...
Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... But if any one accuses the ancient law, because it commands such retaliation, he
seems to me veryunskillful in the wisdom that becomes a legislator, and...
Lydda
... Yes, saith he. Wherefore, then, do they not transact the intercalation of the year
there?"Because they are obstinate, andunskillful in the law."....
Christ Risen
... Mark that these women, dissatisfied with theunskillful ministrations of men (and
men whose rank knew nothing of such functions), had brought sweet spices to...
A Great Slaughter About Ascalon. Vespasian Comes to Ptolemais.
... Now the Jews wereunskillful in war, but were to fight with those who were skillful
therein; they were footmen to fight with horsemen; they were in disorder...
The Death of Joseph [Herod's Brother] which had Been Signified to...
... men, gathered out of Syria, and here was no mixture of those called veteran soldiers
among them, who might have supported those that wereunskillful in war....
Thesaurus
Unskillful (1 Occurrence)... 1. (a.) Not skillful; inexperienced; awkward; bungling; as, an
unskillful surgeon
or mechanic; an
unskillful logician.
...Unskillful (1 Occurrence).
...Unsold (1 Occurrence)
Unskilled (4 Occurrences)
Work (4564 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The moving parts of a mechanism; as, the works of a watch. 7. (n.) Manner
of working; management; treatment; as,unskillful work spoiled the effect....
Experience (28 Occurrences)
... the King James Version says, "Every one that useth milk isunskillful (apeiros)
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe," while the Revised Version...
Daub (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster;
to bedaub; to besmear. 2. (vt) To paint in a coarse orunskillful manner....
Botch (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) To put together unsuitably or unskillfully; to express or perform in
a bungling manner; to spoil or mar, as byunskillful work. Int....
After (10866 Occurrences)
... Sabbath; (4) the term deuteroprotos, is a monstrous combination of the words deuteros,
"second," and protos, "first," attributable tounskillful attempts at...
Strum (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt & i.) To play on an instrument of music, or as on
an instrument, in anunskillful or noisy way; to thrum; as, to strum a piano....
Skill (26 Occurrences)
... To play well (Hebrew heTibhu naggen), is rendered "play skillfully" (Psalm 33:3).
"Unskillful" is used with reference to the uninitiated in the sense of...
Resources
Who was Philo of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.orgUnskillful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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