Astuteness or craftiness in dealings with others, especially in using one's understanding and judgment to one's own advantage. Scripture commends it when it is seen in wise words and actions directed towards a worthy goal, but condemns it when it takes the form of cunning and deceitful scheming for sinful and selfish ends.

Matthew 10:16

Shrewdness as astuteness

Luke 16:8-9

It is encouraged in believers

Matthew 7:24-25

Jesus Christ explains the parable of the dishonest manager (Lk 16:1-7) and urges his disciples to be shrewd in their use of worldly wealth.

Practical demonstrations of astuteness

See also

Proverbs 12:23; 14:15; 15:5; 18:15

pp Lk 6:47-48

Matthew 24:45-47
Matthew 22:18-22

pp Lk 12:42-44

Jesus Christ's wisdom in answering his enemies

pp Mk 12:15-17

Matthew 22:31-32

pp Lk 20:23-26

on the matter of paying taxes to Caesar

pp Mk 12:26-27

John 8:7

pp Lk 20:37-38

on the question of the resurrection

1 Samuel 23:22-23

regarding the woman caught in adultery

Further examples of astuteness

2 Samuel 14:1-3

David's shrewdness in fleeing from Saul

1 Kings 3:28

Joab's ruse to persuade David to call Absalom back from exile

2 Chronicles 11:23

Solomon's wise judgment

Daniel 1:11-13

Rehoboam acts wisely to secure his kingdom

Matthew 2:16

Daniel avoids eating royal food and wine

Mark 7:27-29

Herod is outwitted by the Magi

pp Mt 15:26-28

the Syro-Phoenician woman's wise response

Psalms 64:6

Shrewdness as crafty and deceitful scheming

See also

It demonstrates human sinfulness

Job 15:5
Psalms 83:3; 140:1-3
Proverbs 7:10
Acts 13:10
Ephesians 4:14
2 Samuel 22:26-27

It is condemned by God

Job 5:12-13

pp Ps 18:25-26

See also

God is shrewd in dealing with those who cleverly deceive others

Psalms 94:11
Proverbs 6:12-15; 12:2
Isaiah 5:21; 44:24-25
1 Corinthians 1:19
Isaiah 29:14
1 Corinthians 3:19-20
Proverbs 14:17; 25:23

Others dislike it

2 Corinthians 11:3

See also

It is a characteristic of Satan

Genesis 3:1
2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:13-15
Matthew 22:15-17

The craftiness of Jesus Christ's enemies

pp Mk 12:13-15

Matthew 26:3-4

pp Lk 20:20-22

The Pharisees try to trap Jesus Christ over paying taxes

pp Mk 14:1-2

pp Lk 22:1-2

Genesis 25:31-33

The religious leaders plot Jesus Christ's death.

Further examples of crafty scheming

Genesis 27:15-16

Jacob buys Esau's birthright

Exodus 1:10

Isaac is tricked into blessing Jacob

Joshua 9:3-6

Pharaoh plans to reduce the number of Israelites

2 Samuel 13:3

The Gibeonites deceive Joshua

Nehemiah 6:2-13

Jonadab plots for Amnon against Tamar

2 Corinthians 12:16

schemes against Nehemiah

See also

Paul sarcastically echoes the slander against him that he tricked people into giving him money.

2081 Christ, wisdom
5408 messenger
5923 public opinion
6145 deceit
6187 immorality
8366 wisdom, source of