The term "comprehended" in biblical context often refers to the understanding or grasping of spiritual truths, divine mysteries, or the nature of God. It is a concept that underscores the human endeavor to perceive and internalize the profound truths revealed in Scripture. The Berean Standard Bible provides insight into this term through various passages that highlight the limitations and potential of human understanding in relation to divine revelation.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. John 1:5 : "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not comprehended it." This verse speaks to the inability of the world, shrouded in spiritual darkness, to fully grasp or overcome the Light, which is Christ. The term "comprehended" here implies a failure to understand or accept the divine nature and mission of Jesus. The darkness represents ignorance and sin, which cannot overpower the truth and purity of Christ's light.

2. Ephesians 3:18-19 : "may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." In this passage, the Apostle Paul prays for believers to have the strength to grasp the vast dimensions of Christ's love. The use of "comprehend" here suggests an experiential understanding that goes beyond intellectual knowledge, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with God.

3. Job 37:5 : "God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend." This verse from the book of Job acknowledges the limitations of human understanding when faced with the majesty and power of God. The term "comprehend" here reflects the finite nature of human wisdom in contrast to the infinite wisdom and actions of the Almighty.

Theological Implications

The concept of comprehension in the Bible often highlights the tension between human limitations and divine revelation. While humans are created in the image of God and endowed with the capacity for understanding, there remains a vast chasm between human knowledge and the fullness of God's wisdom. This is evident in the mystery of the Gospel, the nature of God's love, and the unfolding of His divine plan.

The Bible encourages believers to seek understanding and wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 4:7 : "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." However, it also acknowledges that complete comprehension of God's ways is beyond human reach, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9 : "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Practical Application

For believers, the pursuit of comprehension involves a humble acknowledgment of human limitations and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and revelation. It calls for a diligent study of Scripture, prayer, and a willingness to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). The journey of comprehension is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual endeavor that leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound experience of His love and truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Comprehend.1717. emphanes -- manifest
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: emphanes Phonetic Spelling: (em-fan-ace')
Short Definition: manifest, visible Definition: manifest, visible, comprehended ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1717.htm - 6k

2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize
... capture, appropriate, (b) I overtake, (c) mid. aor: I perceived, comprehended.
2638 (from 2596 , ", according to," which intensifies ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2638.htm - 8k

Whether the Soul of Christ Comprehended the Word or the Divine ...
... OF THE BEATIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST'S SOUL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the soul
of Christ comprehended the Word or the Divine Essence? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the soul of christ.htm

The Righteousness of this Life Comprehended in Three Parts ...
... Eutropius and Paulus. (18.) The Righteousness of This Life Comprehended
in Three Parts,"Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. As long ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/18 the righteousness of this.htm

"All Heavenly Things and all Earthly Things that Belong to Heaven ...
... CERTAIN POINTS IN THE FOREGOING FOURTEEN REVELATIONS CHAPTER XLV "All heavenly things
and all earthly things that belong to Heaven are comprehended in these ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlv all heavenly things.htm

Against those who Assert that Things that are Infinite Cannot be ...
... Book XII. Chapter 18."Against Those Who Assert that Things that are Infinite
Cannot Be Comprehended by the Knowledge of God. As ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 against those who assert.htm

The Manner of this Operation Cannot be Fully Comprehended by ...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Article 13 The manner of this operation
cannot be fully comprehended by believers in this life.? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 13 the manner of.htm

Where is the Moral Law Summarily Comprehended?
... Question 41. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended? A41. The Moral
Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster shorter catechism/question 41 where is the.htm

Where is the Moral Law Summarily Comprehended?
... Question 98: Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? Answer: The
moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 98 0 0 where is the.htm

Concerning the Universal Providence of God in the Laws of which ...
... Book V. Chapter 11."Concerning the Universal Providence of God in the
Laws of Which All Things are Comprehended. Therefore God ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 concerning the universal providence.htm

Whether those who See the Essence of God Comprehend Him?
... apprehend']." But the Apostle did not follow in vain; for he said (1:Cor.9:26):
"I . . . so run, not as at an uncertainty." Therefore he comprehended; and in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who see the.htm

Whether God Comprehends Himself?
... A thing is said to be comprehended when the end of the knowledge of it is attained,
and this is accomplished when it is known as perfectly as it is knowable; as ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god comprehends himself.htm

Comprehended (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Comprehended (5 Occurrences). ... (DBY). John 1:5 And the light
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/comprehended.htm - 8k

Comprehend (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To contain; to embrace; to include; as,
the states comprehended in the Austrian Empire. 2. (vt ...
/c/comprehend.htm - 11k

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)
... It comprehended a greater variety of rich and beautiful scenery and of
soil and climate than fell to the lot of any other tribe. ...
/n/naphtali.htm - 35k

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)
... kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;
and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this ...
/n/neighbour.htm - 34k

Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second
year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth ...
/n/numbers.htm - 71k

Liquor (5 Occurrences)
... of intoxicating liquor except the beverage prepared from the juice of the grape
(yayin), according to the usage of the Old Testament, is comprehended under the ...
/l/liquor.htm - 9k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... and Acre to the shores of the Mediterranean on the west." Palestine was divided
into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, which comprehended the whole ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Gather (251 Occurrences)
... British and American) "to sum up all things in Christ"; compare Ephesians 2:14;
in Romans 13:9 the passive is translated "be briefly comprehended," the Revised ...
/g/gather.htm - 47k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... The portion allotted to the tribe of Gad was on the east of Jordan, and comprehended
the half of Gilead, a region of great beauty and fertility (Deuteronomy 3 ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)
... A country to the north-west of Macedonia, on the eastern shores of the Adriatic,
now almost wholly comprehended in Dalmatia, a name formerly given to the ...
/i/illyricum.htm - 13k

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