Foolery
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Foolery, as depicted in the Bible, is often associated with a lack of wisdom, discernment, and reverence for God. It is characterized by actions and attitudes that are contrary to the teachings and principles found in Scripture. The Bible frequently contrasts the way of the fool with the way of the wise, urging believers to seek wisdom and understanding.

Old Testament References

The concept of foolery is prominently addressed in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The Book of Proverbs, in particular, offers numerous insights into the nature and consequences of foolish behavior. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse highlights the foundational error of the fool: a rejection of divine wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 10:23 further illustrates the mindset of the fool: "The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom." Here, foolery is associated with a perverse enjoyment of wrongdoing, contrasting sharply with the prudent behavior of the wise.

Ecclesiastes also addresses the futility of foolishness. Ecclesiastes 10:1 warns, "As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." This imagery underscores how even a small amount of foolishness can tarnish one's reputation and achievements.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of foolery in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against the folly of building one's life on anything other than His teachings. Matthew 7:26 states, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." This parable illustrates the ultimate ruin that comes from ignoring Christ's words.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the nature of foolery in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 , he writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Here, Paul contrasts the world's perception of the Gospel as foolishness with its true power and wisdom for believers.

Characteristics of Foolery

Foolery in the biblical sense is marked by several key characteristics:

1. Rejection of Godly Wisdom: Fools are often depicted as those who reject the wisdom and instruction that come from God. This rejection leads to a life devoid of true understanding and purpose.

2. Pride and Arrogance: Proverbs 12:15 notes, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel." Fools are often characterized by an inflated sense of self and an unwillingness to heed advice.

3. Moral and Spiritual Blindness: Foolery is associated with a lack of moral discernment and spiritual insight. Romans 1:21-22 describes those who, "although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts."

4. Destructive Behavior: The actions of fools often lead to personal and communal harm. Proverbs 13:20 warns, "He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."

Avoiding Foolery

The Bible provides guidance on avoiding the pitfalls of foolery. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through a relationship with God, as James 1:5 advises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Additionally, surrounding oneself with wise counsel and adhering to the teachings of Scripture are essential steps in cultivating a life marked by wisdom rather than folly.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The behavior of a fool; absurdity; lunacy.

2. (n.) An act of folly or weakness; a foolish practice; something absurd or nonsensical.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FOOLERY

fool'-er-i:

The plural "fooleries" occurs Ecclesiasticus 22:13 King James Version: "Talk not much with a fool. and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries." The Greek word is entinagmos, "a striking or throwing in," "an attack," from entinasso, "to strike into," "cast at," etc. (APC 1Macc 2:36 2Macc 4:41; 2Macc 11:11). the Revised Version (British and American) renders "Thou shalt not be defiled in his onslaught," margin "defiled: in his onslaught turn." The meaning is most probably "with what he throws out," i.e. his foolish or vile speeches, as if it were slaver.

PHILIP, THE GOSPEL OF

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS; PHILIP.

APOSTLES, GOSPEL OF THE TWELVE

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

BARNABAS, GOSPEL OF

See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

Library

The Gathering Storm
... Tush!' said the angry Governor. It is only another phase of the foolery
of this mongrel population of Syrians, Greeks, and Jews. ...
/.../chapter i the gathering storm.htm

The Real High Priest and his Counterfeit
... to have somewhat awed him, and the dawning consciousness of his dignity is, perhaps,
the reason for the high priest's casting aside all the foolery of false ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the real high priest and.htm

Loyal to the Core
... But happy is that man who takes up with Christ, and with the gospel, and with the
truth when it is in its worst estate, crying, "If this be foolery, I am a fool ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/loyal to the core.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... to reverence and adore, to love and delight in God, as exhibited in his works -
this is the true and only philosophy; the contrary is mere foolery, and is so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

Trust in God --True Wisdom
... negotiate many very profitable bargains; but he has made a single bad one, so bad
indeed that it counter balances all the rest; for the empty foolery of dying ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/trust in godtrue wisdom.htm

Acts xix. 21, 23
... shameful words, unrestrained laughter, more unrestrained motions, both dress and
gait full of indecency, words fraught with mere nonsense and foolery: in short ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlii acts xix 21.htm

The Sifting Time, 1743-1750.
... "At that time," he said, "the spirit of Christ did not rule in our hearts; and that
was the real cause of all our foolery." Full well the Brethren realized ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter viii the sifting time.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... The whole life of man, save what is spent in God's service, is but foolery: for
a man lives forty years before he knows himself to be a fool; and by that time ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... It is sometimes called we believe La Capital de Majeza; the proper translation of
which we conceive to be the Head Quarters of Foolery, for nothing more absurd ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians. <. ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Thesaurus
Foolery
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOOLERY. fool'-er-i: The plural "fooleries" occurs
Ecclesiasticus 22:13 King James Version: "Talk not much with a fool. ...
/f/foolery.htm - 7k

Fool-hardy (1 Occurrence)
Fool-hardy. Foolery, Fool-hardy. Foolish . Multi-Version Concordance Fool-hardy
(1 Occurrence). ... Foolery, Fool-hardy. Foolish . Reference Bible.
/f/fool-hardy.htm - 6k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... of mind. 2. (n.) A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure;
weak or light-minded conduct; foolery. 3. (n.) Scandalous ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Fool (95 Occurrences)

/f/fool.htm - 47k

Resources
Foolery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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