Unskilled
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In the context of the Bible, the term "unskilled" often refers to a lack of proficiency or expertise in a particular area, whether it be in craftsmanship, leadership, or spiritual understanding. The Bible addresses the concept of skill and the lack thereof in various passages, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, diligence, and the development of one's abilities.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently highlights the value of skill, particularly in the context of craftsmanship and leadership. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle, God specifically chose skilled artisans to carry out the work. Exodus 31:1-5 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze.'"

The emphasis on skill is also evident in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 22:29 notes, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." This suggests that skill and diligence are rewarded with honor and recognition.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of being unskilled is often related to spiritual maturity and understanding. The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 , where he writes, "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready."

Similarly, the author of Hebrews admonishes believers for their lack of spiritual maturity, equating it with being unskilled in the word of righteousness. Hebrews 5:12-14 states, "Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of being unskilled is not merely a matter of lacking technical ability but also involves a deficiency in spiritual discernment and maturity. The Bible encourages believers to grow in their understanding and application of God's Word, developing their spiritual gifts and abilities for the edification of the church and the glory of God.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 further illustrates the expectation of growth and development. The servant who failed to invest his talent was rebuked for his lack of initiative and skill in managing what was entrusted to him. This parable underscores the importance of using one's abilities wisely and diligently in service to the Lord.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, to develop their skills, and to apply themselves diligently in all areas of life. Colossians 3:23-24 advises, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

The call to move from being unskilled to skilled, both in practical and spiritual matters, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, urging believers to pursue excellence and maturity in their walk with God.
Greek
2399. idiotes -- a private or unskilled person
... a private or unskilled person. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
idiotes Phonetic Spelling: (id-ee-o'-tace) Short Definition: an amateur, layman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2399.htm - 7k

781. asophos -- unwise
... unwise. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asophos Phonetic Spelling:
(as'-of-os) Short Definition: unskilled, unwise, foolish Definition: unskilled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/781.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
6189. arel -- having foreskin (uncircumcised)
... Word Origin from the same as orlah Definition having foreskin (uncircumcised) NASB
Word Usage closed (1), forbidden (1), uncircumcised (31), unskilled (2). ...
/hebrew/6189.htm - 6k
Library

Continuing the Exposition of the Disputed Passage, which He had ...
... Will you then proffer the third kind [as an account of the matter], namely, that
He can do nothing, just as an unskilled apprentice can do nothing without his ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v continuing the exposition.htm

Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as ...
... for no one can doubt that some such latitude of statement must be allowed to physicians,
though it must be taken out of the hands of those who are unskilled. ...
/.../18 our friends take it.htm

Argument: Octavius Arranges his Reply, and Trusts that He Shall be ...
... in such expressions as these, that he was grieved, that he was vexed, that he was
indignant, that he regretted that illiterate, poor, unskilled people should ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xvi argument octavius arranges his.htm

The Spirit Switchboard.
... Children are not allowed at the electrical switchboard, nor any unskilled hand. ... And
the spirit switchboard does not yield to the unskilled touch. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the spirit switchboard.htm

Two Philosophers are Converted to the Faith by the Simplicity of ...
... began to ridicule the priests, and thereby roused the indignation of a simple old
man, highly esteemed as a confessor, who, although unskilled in logical ...
/.../chapter xviii two philosophers are converted.htm

Epistle xxxviii. To Queen Theodelinda.
... Now the more we sincerely love you, the more seriously are we distressed about you,
that you believe unskilled and foolish men, who not only do not know what ...
/.../epistle xxxviii to queen theodelinda.htm

How Predestination must be Preached So as not to Give Offence.
... And yet this doctrine must not be preached to congregations in such a way as to
seem to an unskilled multitude, or a people of slower understanding, to be in ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 57 xxii how predestination must.htm

Epistle Liv. Here Follows the Epistle of Saint Licinianus, Bishop ...
... For, when there is no skilled person found for the sacerdotal office, what is to
be done but that an unskilled one such as I am, should be ordained? ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle liv here follows the.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... up, from the first, in religious habits and practices, after a brief study of
literature and philosophy, so that he might not be utterly unskilled in such ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

Chatter xviii. The Great Immigration.
... This sort of enterprise makes an immediate demand for large forces of unskilled
laborers; and in both hemispheres it has been observed to occasion movements of ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chatter xviii the great immigration.htm

Thesaurus
Unskilled (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unskilled (4 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though
I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. ...
/u/unskilled.htm - 7k

Perfectly (24 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled
in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. ...
/p/perfectly.htm - 13k

Speech (107 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in
knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. ...
/s/speech.htm - 36k

Revealed (129 Occurrences)
... sight of God. (WEB RSV). 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I am unskilled in
speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every ...
/r/revealed.htm - 36k

Fact (98 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 11:6 But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled
in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. ...
/f/fact.htm - 36k

Novice (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A beginner; a newcomer; one unacquainted
or unskilled; one yet in the rudiments; a beginner; a tyro. ...
/n/novice.htm - 8k

Unskilful (1 Occurrence)

/u/unskilful.htm - 6k

Unseen (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not seen or discovered. 2. (a.) Unskilled;
inexperienced. Multi-Version Concordance Unseen (18 Occurrences). ...
/u/unseen.htm - 11k

Unskillful (1 Occurrence)

/u/unskillful.htm - 6k

Inexperienced (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not having experience unskilled. Multi-Version
Concordance Inexperienced (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles ...
/i/inexperienced.htm - 7k

Resources
What is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org

How can I increase my spiritual discernment? | GotQuestions.org

Unskilled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unskilled (4 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 11:6
But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.
(WEB NAS RSV)

Hebrews 5:13
For every one that partakes of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe;
(DBY YLT RSV)

Exodus 6:12
Moses spoke before Yahweh, saying, "Behold, the children of Israel haven't listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, who am of uncircumcised lips?"
(See NAS)

Exodus 6:30
Moses said before Yahweh, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?"
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Unskilled

Related Terms

Unsold (1 Occurrence)

Unskilled (4 Occurrences)

Work (4564 Occurrences)

Experience (28 Occurrences)

Daub (3 Occurrences)

Botch (3 Occurrences)

After (10866 Occurrences)

Strum (1 Occurrence)

Skill (26 Occurrences)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Latin (2 Occurrences)

Esther (48 Occurrences)

Version

Nehelamite (4 Occurrences)

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

First (4693 Occurrences)

Book (211 Occurrences)

Unskilful
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