4680. sophos

Lexicon

sophos: Wise, learned, skilled

Original Word: σοφός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: sophos
Pronunciation: so-foce'
Phonetic Spelling: (sof-os')
Definition: Wise, learned, skilled
Meaning: wise, learned, cultivated, skilled, clever.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

wise.

Akin to saphes (clear); wise (in a most general application) -- wise. Compare phronimos.

see GREEK phronimos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
skilled, wise
NASB Translation
wise (16), wise man (2), wise men (1), wiser (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4680: σοφός

σοφός, σοφή, σοφόν (akin to σαφής and to the Latinsapio, sapiens, sapor, 'to have a taste', etc.; Curtius, § 628; (Vanicek, p. 991)), the Sept. for חָכָם; (from Theognis, Pindar, Aeschylus down); wise, i. e.

a. skilled, expert: εἰς τί, Romans 16:19; of artificers (cf. Grimm, Exeg. Hdbch. on Sap. (), p. 151): ἀρχιτέκτων, 1 Corinthians 3:10; Isaiah 3:3 (δημιουργός, of God, Xenophon, mem. 1, 4, 7).

b. wise, i. e. skilled in letters, cultivated, learned: Romans 1:14, 22; of the Greek philosophers (and orators, see σοφία, a.), 1 Corinthians 1:19f, 26; 1 Corinthians 3:18f,(20); of the Jewish theologians, Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; of Christian teachers, Matthew 23:34.

c. wise in a practical sense, i. e. one who in action is governed by piety and integrity: Ephesians 5:15; James 3:13; and accordingly is a suitable person to settle private quarrels, 1 Corinthians 6:5.

d. wise in a philosophic sense, forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution: so of God, Romans 16:27, and Rec. in 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25; σοφώτερον, contains more wisdom, is more sagaciously thought out, 1 Corinthians 1:25. [SYNONYMS: σοφός, συνετός, φρόνιμος: σοφός wise, see above; συνετός intelligent, denotes one who can 'put things together' (συνιέναι), who has insight and comprehension; φρόνιμος prudent (A. V. uniformly, wise), denotes primarily one who has quick and correct perceptions, hence, 'discreet,' 'circumspect,' etc.; cf. Schmidt, chapter 147. See σοφία, at the end]

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root word σάφα (sáphēn), meaning "to be clear" or "to make wise."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2450 חָכָם (chakam): This Hebrew word is often translated as "wise" and is used similarly to σοφός in the Old Testament, describing individuals who possess wisdom, skill, or understanding.
• H2449 חָכַם (chakam): A verb form meaning "to be wise" or "to act wisely," often used to describe the process of gaining wisdom or acting with discernment.

These entries reflect the biblical emphasis on wisdom as a divine gift that guides believers in living a life that honors God and reflects His character.

Usage: The word σοφός is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are wise in various aspects, including practical skills, intellectual understanding, and spiritual insight. It is often contrasted with foolishness or lack of understanding.

Context: The Greek word σοφός appears in several New Testament passages, highlighting the value and characteristics of wisdom from a biblical perspective. In the Berean Standard Bible, σοφός is used to describe both human and divine wisdom.

• Human Wisdom: In 1 Corinthians 1:19, Paul quotes Isaiah, saying, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Here, σοφός refers to human wisdom that is often limited and flawed when compared to God's wisdom. The apostle Paul frequently contrasts human wisdom with the wisdom of God, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from understanding and following God's will.

• Divine Wisdom: James 3:13-17 discusses the characteristics of divine wisdom, stating, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." This passage highlights that true wisdom is demonstrated through righteous living and humility, qualities that reflect God's nature.

• Practical Wisdom: In Matthew 7:24, Jesus uses the term σοφός in the parable of the wise and foolish builders: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Here, σοφός is used to describe practical wisdom, emphasizing the importance of applying Jesus' teachings to one's life.

The New Testament presents σοφός as a desirable attribute, encouraging believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all who ask (James 1:5). This wisdom is not merely intellectual but is deeply connected to moral and spiritual understanding, guiding believers in their daily lives and relationships.

Forms and Transliterations

σοφά σοφαί σοφάς σοφή σοφήν σοφοι σοφοί σοφοὶ σοφοις σοφοίς σοφοῖς σοφόν σοφος σοφός σοφὸς σοφού σοφους σοφούς σοφοὺς σοφω σοφώ σοφῷ σοφων σοφών σοφῶν σοφώς σοφώτερα σοφωτερον σοφώτερον σοφώτερος σπάδοντας σπάδοντι sopho sophō sophoi sophoí sophoì sophôi sophō̂i sophois sophoîs sophon sophôn sophōn sophō̂n sophos sophós sophòs sophoteron sophōteron sophṓteron sophous sophoús sophoùs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 11:25 Adj-GMP
GRK: ταῦτα ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν
NAS: these things from [the] wise and intelligent
KJV: from the wise and
INT: these things from wise and learned

Matthew 23:34 Adj-AMP
GRK: προφήτας καὶ σοφοὺς καὶ γραμματεῖς
NAS: you prophets and wise men and scribes;
KJV: prophets, and wise men, and scribes:
INT: prophets and wise [men] and scribes

Luke 10:21 Adj-GMP
GRK: ταῦτα ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν
NAS: these things from [the] wise and intelligent
KJV: from the wise and
INT: these things from wise and intelligent

Romans 1:14 Adj-DMP
GRK: καὶ βαρβάροις σοφοῖς τε καὶ
NAS: both to the wise and to the foolish.
KJV: both to the wise, and
INT: and barbarians to wise both and

Romans 1:22 Adj-NMP
GRK: φάσκοντες εἶναι σοφοὶ ἐμωράνθησαν
NAS: Professing to be wise, they became fools,
KJV: to be wise, they became fools,
INT: professing to be wise they became fools

Romans 16:19 Adj-AMP
GRK: δὲ ὑμᾶς σοφοὺς μὲν εἶναι
NAS: you, but I want you to be wise in what is good
KJV: you wise unto
INT: however you wise indeed to be

Romans 16:27 Adj-DMS
GRK: μόνῳ σοφῷ θεῷ διὰ
NAS: to the only wise God, through
KJV: To God only wise, [be] glory through
INT: [to the] only wise God through

1 Corinthians 1:19 Adj-GMP
GRK: σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ τὴν
NAS: THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS
KJV: the wisdom of the wise, and
INT: wisdom of the wise and the

1 Corinthians 1:20 Adj-NMS
GRK: ποῦ σοφός ποῦ γραμματεύς
NAS: Where is the wise man? Where
KJV: Where [is] the wise? where
INT: Where [is the] wise where [the] scribe

1 Corinthians 1:25 Adj-NNS-C
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ σοφώτερον τῶν ἀνθρώπων
NAS: of God is wiser than men,
KJV: of God is wiser than men; and
INT: of God wiser than men

1 Corinthians 1:26 Adj-NMP
GRK: οὐ πολλοὶ σοφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα
NAS: that there were not many wise according
KJV: not many wise men after the flesh,
INT: not many wise according to flesh [there are]

1 Corinthians 1:27 Adj-AMP
GRK: καταισχύνῃ τοὺς σοφούς καὶ τὰ
NAS: to shame the wise, and God
KJV: to confound the wise; and God
INT: he might put to shame the wise and the

1 Corinthians 3:10 Adj-NMS
GRK: μοι ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον
NAS: to me, like a wise master builder
KJV: as a wise masterbuilder,
INT: to me as a wise builder [the] foundation

1 Corinthians 3:18 Adj-NMS
GRK: τις δοκεῖ σοφὸς εἶναι ἐν
NAS: you thinks that he is wise in this
KJV: seemeth to be wise in this
INT: anyone thinks [himself] wise to be among

1 Corinthians 3:18 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἵνα γένηται σοφός
NAS: so that he may become wise.
KJV: that he may be wise.
INT: that he might be wise

1 Corinthians 3:19 Adj-AMP
GRK: δρασσόμενος τοὺς σοφοὺς ἐν τῇ
NAS: [He is] THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS;
KJV: He taketh the wise in
INT: catches the wise in the

1 Corinthians 3:20 Adj-GMP
GRK: διαλογισμοὺς τῶν σοφῶν ὅτι εἰσὶν
NAS: THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.
KJV: the thoughts of the wise, that
INT: thoughts of the wise that they are

1 Corinthians 6:5 Adj-NMS
GRK: ὑμῖν οὐδεὶς σοφὸς ὃς δυνήσεται
NAS: you one wise man who
KJV: is not a wise man among
INT: you no one a wise [man] who will be able

Ephesians 5:15 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἀλλ' ὡς σοφοί
NAS: not as unwise men but as wise,
KJV: but as wise,
INT: but as wise

James 3:13 Adj-NMS
GRK: Τίς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων
NAS: among you is wise and understanding?
KJV: Who [is] a wise man and
INT: Who [is] wise and understanding

Strong's Greek 4680
20 Occurrences

σοφῷ — 1 Occ.
σοφῶν — 4 Occ.
σοφώτερον — 1 Occ.
σοφοὶ — 3 Occ.
σοφοῖς — 1 Occ.
σοφός — 6 Occ.
σοφοὺς — 4 Occ.