144. aisthésis

Lexicon

aisthésis: Perception, discernment, insight

Original Word: αἴσθησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: aisthésis
Pronunciation: ahee'-sthay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-sthay-sis)
Definition: Perception, discernment, insight
Meaning: perception, understanding, discernment.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

perception, discernment

From aisthanomai; perception, i.e. (figuratively) discernment -- judgment.

see GREEK aisthanomai

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 144 aísthēsis (a feminine noun) – properly, the brand of sense-discernment which "cuts through" hazy ethical (moral) matters to really "size things up" (used only in Phil 1:9). See 145 (aisthētērion).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from aisthanomai
Definition
perception
NASB Translation
discernment (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 144: αἴσθησις

αἴσθησις, (εως, ἡ (αἰσθάνομαι) (from Euripides down), perception, not only by the senses but also by the intellect; cognition, discernment; (in the Sept., Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 2:10, etc., equivalent to דַּעַת): Philippians 1:9, of moral discernment, the understanding of ethica1 matters, as is plain from what is added in Philippians 1:10.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from αἰσθάνομαι (aisthanomai), meaning "to perceive" or "to discern."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for αἴσθησις, the concept of discernment is present in the Hebrew Scriptures. Some related Hebrew terms include:

• בִּינָה (binah) • Strong's Hebrew 998, meaning "understanding" or "insight."
• שָׂכַל (sakal) • Strong's Hebrew 7919, meaning "to be prudent" or "to have insight."
• חָכְמָה (chokmah) • Strong's Hebrew 2451, meaning "wisdom."

These Hebrew terms, like αἴσθησις, emphasize the importance of discernment and understanding in living a life that honors God.

Usage: The word αἴσθησις is used in the New Testament to describe a mature and insightful understanding, particularly in spiritual or moral contexts. It is often associated with the ability to discern what is best or most appropriate in a given situation.

Context: The Greek term αἴσθησις appears in the New Testament in Philippians 1:9, where the Apostle Paul prays for the believers in Philippi, saying, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (αἴσθησις)." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of growing in love that is informed by knowledge and discernment. This discernment is not merely intellectual but involves a moral and spiritual understanding that enables believers to approve what is excellent and to live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ.

In the context of Philippians, αἴσθησις is closely linked with the concept of spiritual maturity. It suggests an ability to navigate complex moral landscapes and to make decisions that align with God's will. This discernment is a gift that comes from a deep relationship with God, cultivated through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

The use of αἴσθησις in the New Testament underscores the importance of a discerning heart in the Christian walk. It is not enough to have knowledge; one must also have the wisdom to apply that knowledge in a way that reflects God's character and purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

αισθησει αισθήσει αἰσθήσει αισθήσεως αίσθησιν αίσθησίν αίσθησις aisthesei aisthēsei aisthḗsei

Englishman's Concordance

Philippians 1:9 N-DFS
GRK: καὶ πάσῃ αἰσθήσει
NAS: in real knowledge and all discernment,
KJV: and [in] all judgment;
INT: and all discernment

Strong's Greek 144
1 Occurrence

αἰσθήσει — 1 Occ.