Lexical Summary sunetos: Understanding, intelligent, wise Original Word: συνετός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prudent. From suniemi; mentally put (or putting) together, i.e. Sagacious -- prudent. Compare phronimos. see GREEK suniemi see GREEK phronimos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4908 synetós (an adjective, derived from 4920 /syníēmi, "to understand by synthesizing") – properly, "personal" understanding that results from correlating facts (concepts), i.e. as understanding works in keeping with one's own perspective. "Personal comprehension" (4908 /synetós) however is only sound when it follows God's word. 4908 /synetós ("understanding") apart from faith ("God's inbirthed persuasions") simply expresses the limitations (biases) of the thinker – which is the usual (negative) connotation of this term in the NT. See: Mt 11:25; Lk 10:21; 1 Cor 1:19. See 4920 (syníēmi). [The other occasion of 4908 (synetós) in the NT, Ac 13:7, is more neutral. But even here it doesn't reflect the prudence (intelligence) that comes directly from the Holy Spirit.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom suniémi Definition intelligent NASB Translation clever (1), intelligence (1), intelligent (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4908: συνετόςσυνετός, συνετή, συνετόν (συνίημι), from Pindar down, the Sept. for חָכָם, נָבון, etc., intelligent, having understanding, wise, learned: Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Corinthians 1:19 (from Isaiah 29:14). (Synonym: see σοφός, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance An adjective for clear-sighted, discerning understanding—commendable when submissive to God, yet powerless when trusted apart from Him. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21 – Jesus thanks the Father for hiding kingdom truths “from the wise and learned” and revealing them to “little children.” Divine Revelation vs. Human Insight 1. God withholds saving knowledge from self-reliant intellect (Matthew 11:25). Old Testament Background Isaiah 29:14 anticipates the nullifying of proud wisdom, echoing Proverbs 1:7 that genuine understanding begins with the fear of the LORD. Historical Reception Patristic writers contrasted Christian faith with pagan philosophy. Reformers appealed to 1 Corinthians 1 to oppose scholastic arrogance and exalt grace-given understanding. Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Engage thoughtful inquirers like Sergius Paulus, confident the Spirit can draw them. Summary Strong’s 4908 portrays intelligence that flourishes only under God’s lordship: prized as His gift, but judged when it presumes to stand alone. Forms and Transliterations συνετά συνετή συνετοί συνετοίς συνετόν συνετός συνετού συνετούς συνετω συνετώ συνετῷ συνετων συνετών συνετῶν συνετώς συνετώτερός suneto sunetō suneton sunetōn syneto synetō synetôi synetō̂i syneton synetôn synetōn synetō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:25 Adj-GMPGRK: σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν καὶ ἀπεκάλυψας NAS: from [the] wise and intelligent and have revealed KJV: and prudent, and INT: wise and learned and did reveal Luke 10:21 Adj-GMP Acts 13:7 Adj-DMS 1 Corinthians 1:19 Adj-GMP Strong's Greek 4908 |
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