Definition and Etymology:
Subtilty, often spelled as "subtlety" in modern English, refers to the quality of being cunning, crafty, or skillfully deceptive. The term is derived from the Latin "subtilis," meaning fine or delicate. In the biblical context, subtilty often carries a negative connotation, associated with deceit and trickery.

Biblical References:
The concept of subtilty is most famously introduced in the Bible in the account of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1 states, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." Here, the word "crafty" is synonymous with subtilty, highlighting the serpent's cunning nature in deceiving Eve.

In Proverbs, subtilty is mentioned in the context of wisdom and prudence. Proverbs 1:4 says, "to impart prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young." The term "prudence" here can be understood as a positive form of subtilty, where it implies shrewdness and discernment rather than deceit.

Theological Implications:
Subtilty in the Bible often serves as a warning against the dangers of deception and the importance of discernment. The serpent's subtilty in Genesis led to the fall of man, illustrating how cunning and deceit can lead to sin and separation from God. This narrative underscores the need for vigilance and wisdom in spiritual matters.

Conversely, subtilty can also be seen in a positive light when associated with wisdom and discernment. Jesus advised His disciples to be "as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), suggesting that a form of subtilty, when coupled with innocence, is necessary for navigating a world filled with deceit.

Examples in Scripture:
1. The Serpent in Eden: The serpent's subtilty is a prime example of cunning used for evil purposes. By questioning God's command and twisting His words, the serpent deceives Eve, leading to the original sin (Genesis 3:1-5).

2. Jacob and Esau: Jacob's acquisition of Esau's birthright and blessing involves acts of subtilty. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). This account illustrates the complex nature of subtilty, where it is used to fulfill God's covenantal promises, albeit through deceitful means.

3. The Gibeonites' Deception: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites use subtilty to secure a peace treaty with Israel. By pretending to be from a distant land, they deceive Joshua and the Israelites, ensuring their survival. This account highlights the need for discernment and the potential consequences of failing to seek God's guidance.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The Bible presents subtilty as a double-edged sword. While it can be used for deceit and manipulation, leading to sin and moral downfall, it can also be employed in the pursuit of wisdom and prudence. Believers are encouraged to develop discernment and shrewdness, aligning their actions with God's truth and righteousness.

Conclusion:
Subtilty, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the spiritual battle between truth and deception. It calls for a careful balance of wisdom and innocence, urging believers to navigate the world with both shrewdness and integrity.

But God Wanted not Power to Make Man Such as that He Should Not...
... Much may be said more fully and more subtilely on the good use of evil; but this
is not what we have undertaken in our present discourse, and we must avoid in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 16 but god wanted.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... the true God and false deities, it opposes him in particular to idols; not that
it approves of what is taught more elegantly and subtilely by philosophers, but ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
... temptation will not prevail with conscience in some measure enlightened, then they
transform themselves into angels of light, and deal more subtilely with us. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon v but if ye.htm

"Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour, and are Wearied," &C.
... is nothing else presented but pardoning grace; and hence there is occasion given
to the corruption of our hearts, to insinuate secretly and subtilely unto us ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi come unto me.htm

Psalm 52
... The goodness of Almighty God. endureth ever still. ^2Thy tongue mischievous calumnies.
deviseth subtilely,. Like to a razor sharp to cut,. working deceitfully. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 52.htm

Immortality of the Soul.
... How then shall we charm that wicked serpent that lurks in your soul, and subtilely
insinuates suspicions hostile to God, under the guise of love of God? ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xi immortality of the soul.htm

A Question on the Changing Character of the Thoughts.
... How is it then, that even against our will, aye and without our knowledge idle thoughts
steal upon us so subtilely and secretly that it is fearfully hard not ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi a question on.htm

Rufinus's Epilogue to Pamphilus the Martyr's Apology for Origen
... father the devil has from the beginning made it his object to falsify the words
of God and twist them from their true meaning, and subtilely to interpolate ...
/.../rufinuss epilogue to pamphilus the.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... For "he that walketh uprightly, walketh surely" (Proverbs 10:9.); and reasonably;
he is one that manages nothing over-subtilely, the man who devises no evil. ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

Our Relations to the Departed
... in it a strange and sweet attraction, and is not much of this because, though we
may be unconscious of it, the current of faith subtilely intermingles with our ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/our relations to the departed.htm

Subtilely (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Subtilely (1 Occurrence). Acts 7:19 this one,
having dealt subtilely with our kindred, did evil to our ...
/s/subtilely.htm - 6k

Expose (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:19 this one, having dealt subtilely with our kindred, did evil to our fathers,
causing to expose their babes, that they might not live; (YLT NAS RSV). ...
/e/expose.htm - 10k

Causing (248 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:19 this one, having dealt subtilely with our kindred, did evil to our fathers,
causing to expose their babes, that they might not live; (YLT). ...
/c/causing.htm - 38k

Subtile (4 Occurrences)

/s/subtile.htm - 8k

Subtilly (3 Occurrences)

/s/subtilly.htm - 7k

Subtilely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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