8355 understanding
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8355 understanding

God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgment and decision-making; in particular the ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it to human disposition and conduct.

The source of understanding

Understanding belongs to God

Job 12:13; Psalm 136:5 See also Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 51:15; Jeremiah 15:15 God's understanding gives rise to compassion.

Understanding is a gift from God

Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 29:24 See also 1 Kings 4:29; Job 38:36; Isaiah 32:3-4; Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21,30; Daniel 9:22; Romans 15:21; Isaiah 52:15

Understanding spiritual truth

Understanding truth about God

1 John 5:20 See also Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 40:21,28; Isaiah 43:10; Jeremiah 9:24; John 10:38; Romans 1:20

Understanding God's purposes

Deuteronomy 9:6 God's reason for choosing Israel; 1 Chronicles 28:19 God's plans for the temple; Job 34:10-11 the reason for Job's suffering; Psalm 73:16-17 God's dealings with the wicked; Isaiah 57:1-2 God's purpose in taking the righteous; Jeremiah 9:12-13 the reason for the exile

God's purpose in bringing judgment:

Jeremiah 23:20; Jeremiah 30:24 Daniel 8:15-16 God's purposes in history

God's will regarding his people:

Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 1:9

Understanding God's word

Psalm 119:73; Luke 24:45 See also Nehemiah 8:8,12; Psalm 119:27,125; Matthew 24:15 pp Mark 13:14; Luke 24:27; Acts 8:30-31; John 12:16

Understanding Jesus Christ's teaching

Matthew 13:11 pp Mark 4:11 pp Luke 8:10; Matthew 16:12; Matthew 17:13; Mark 4:33; Mark 8:17; John 2:22

Understanding God's salvation

Ephesians 1:18 See also Isaiah 41:20; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:4,17-19; Colossians 2:2; Phm 6

Human understanding is limited

Job 36:26; Job 37:5; Proverbs 3:5 See also Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 42:3; Proverbs 20:24; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Isaiah 40:13-14; Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 13:12

Gaining understanding

Through faith

Hebrews 11:3 See also Matthew 16:8-9

Through God's Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12 See also 1 Chronicles 28:12; Job 32:8; Isaiah 11:2; John 14:26; John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:17

Through God's word

Psalm 119:130 See also Deuteronomy 4:6; Psalm 111:10; Daniel 9:2; John 20:9

Through wise teaching

Psalm 49:3 See also Job 8:8-10; Proverbs 1:2; Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 15:32; Ecclesiastes 12:9

Lack of understanding of spiritual truth

Not knowing God

Isaiah 1:3 See also Deuteronomy 32:28-29; Isaiah 27:11; Jeremiah 4:22; Romans 10:19; Deuteronomy 32:21

Lack of understanding due to hardened hearts

Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9-10 See also Job 17:4; Isaiah 44:18; Isaiah 48:8; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:13-15 pp Mark 4:11-12 pp Luke 8:10; Mark 6:52; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27; Ephesians 4:18

Not understanding God's purposes

Psalm 82:5; Psalm 92:6-7; Isaiah 5:13; Isaiah 19:12; Micah 4:12; Luke 12:56; 1 Corinthians 2:8

Not understanding Jesus Christ's teaching

Matthew 13:19

By Jesus Christ's disciples:

Mark 4:13; Mark 9:32; John 4:32-33; John 8:27; John 11:13; John 16:18 Luke 2:50 by Jesus Christ's parents

By some Jews:

John 2:20-21; John 6:51-52; John 8:43 John 4:11 by the Samaritan woman

Understanding people and situations

1 Chronicles 12:32; Esther 1:13; Job 13:1; Proverbs 20:5; John 7:24

Understanding languages

Genesis 11:7; Deuteronomy 28:49; Psalm 81:5; Isaiah 36:11; Acts 2:6; 1 Corinthians 14:2

Those who have understanding

The wise

Deuteronomy 32:29; 1 Kings 4:29; Proverbs 8:14; Hosea 14:9

Good leaders

Jeremiah 3:15 See also Deuteronomy 1:13; 1 Chronicles 22:12; 2 Chronicles 30:22; Proverbs 28:2

Bad leaders, by contrast, lack judgment:

Proverbs 28:16; Isaiah 56:11

The results of understanding

Seeking God

Psalm 14:2 See also Psalm 53:2; Romans 3:11

Obedience

Psalm 119:34 See also Nehemiah 10:28; Psalm 32:9; Psalm 119:100; Proverbs 28:7

Taking the right path

Proverbs 2:9 See also Psalm 119:104; Proverbs 15:21

Life

Psalm 119:144; Proverbs 16:22

Sensible living

Job 28:28 avoidance of evil; Proverbs 11:12 slowness to criticise; Proverbs 12:11 conscientious labour; Proverbs 13:15 winning favour; Proverbs 17:27 showing restraint and an even temper; James 3:13 good deeds and humility

The results of a lack of understanding

Foolish behaviour

Proverbs 6:32 committing adultery; Proverbs 7:7 being easily seduced; Proverbs 17:18 making rash commitments; Proverbs 18:1-2 selfishness and self-importance; Proverbs 24:30-31 idleness leading to ruin; Hosea 4:11 Drunkenness clouds understanding.

Death

Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 21:16; Hosea 4:14

See also

1441  revelation, necessity
1614  Scripture, understanding
5026  knowledge
5036  mind of God
6694  mystery
7730  explanation
8226  discernment
8281  insight
8319  perception, spiritual
8361  wisdom
8419  enlightenment
8755  folly



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