5428. phronésis

Lexicon

phronésis: Understanding, insight, wisdom, prudence

Original Word: φρόνησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: phronésis
Pronunciation: fro'-nay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (fron'-ay-sis)
Definition: Understanding, insight, wisdom, prudence
Meaning: understanding (which leads to right action), practical wisdom, prudence.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

prudence, wisdom.

From phroneo; mental action or activity, i.e. Intellectual or moral insight -- prudence, wisdom.

see GREEK phroneo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5428 phrónēsis (another feminine noun from the same root, phr-) – that brand of visceral opinion which pleases the Lord because shaped by God's inworkings of faith ("divine persuasion," 4102 /pístis), i.e. Christ-enlightened perspective which has the insight to make intelligent (shrewd) life-applications in the will of God. See 5429 (phronimos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phroneó
Definition
understanding, practical wisdom
NASB Translation
attitude (1), insight (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5428: φρόνησις

φρόνησις, φρονήσεως, ἡ (φρονέω), understanding: joined with σοφία (as 1 Kings 4:25 (29); Daniel 1:17, Theod.; ἡ σοφία ἀνδρί τίκτει φρόνησιν, Proverbs 10:23), Ephesians 1:8 (A. V. prudence; see σοφία, at the end); specifically, knowledcje and holy love of the will of God (A. V. wisdom), Luke 1:17 (Wis. 3:15; the Sept. for בִּינָה, תְּבוּנָה, חָכְמָה; used variously by Greek writers from Sophocles and Euripides down).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φρονέω (phroneō), meaning "to think" or "to have understanding."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek concept of φρόνησις can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar ideas of wisdom and understanding. These include:

• Strong's Hebrew 998 (בִּינָה, binah): Often translated as "understanding" or "insight," this term is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the ability to discern and comprehend.
• Strong's Hebrew 2451 (חָכְמָה, chokmah): Translated as "wisdom," this word is frequently used in the context of practical and moral wisdom, similar to φρόνησις.
• Strong's Hebrew 7922 (שֵׂכֶל, sekel): Meaning "prudence" or "insight," this term is associated with the capacity for thoughtful consideration and wise decision-making.

These Hebrew terms, like φρόνησις, emphasize the importance of wisdom that is not only theoretical but also applicable to everyday life, guiding individuals in their relationship with God and others.

Usage: The word φρόνησις is used in the New Testament to describe a quality of wisdom that is practical and applicable to life situations. It is often associated with the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

Context: The Greek term φρόνησις appears in the New Testament as a significant concept related to wisdom and understanding. It is used to describe a form of intelligence that goes beyond mere knowledge, emphasizing the application of understanding in practical and moral contexts. This term is found in passages that highlight the importance of discernment and the ability to navigate life's complexities with prudence.

In the Gospel of Luke, φρόνησις is used in the context of John the Baptist's mission, where it is said, "to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17, BSB). Here, φρόνησις is associated with the wisdom that leads to righteousness and readiness for the Lord's coming.

The Apostle Paul also uses φρόνησις in his epistles, particularly in Ephesians 1:8, where he speaks of the riches of God's grace "that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (BSB). In this context, φρόνησις is linked with divine wisdom, suggesting that true understanding is a gift from God that enables believers to comprehend His will and purpose.

The concept of φρόνησις is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition of wisdom literature, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It underscores the importance of aligning one's thoughts and actions with divine principles, leading to a life characterized by moral integrity and spiritual insight.

Forms and Transliterations

φρονησει φρονήσει φρονήσεως φρονήσεώς φρόνησιν φρόνησίν φρόνησις φρόνησίς phronesei phronēsei phronḗsei

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:17 N-DFS
GRK: ἀπειθεῖς ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων ἑτοιμάσαι
NAS: and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous,
KJV: to the wisdom of the just;
INT: [the] disobedient to [the] wisdom of [the] righteous to make ready

Ephesians 1:8 N-DFS
GRK: σοφίᾳ καὶ φρονήσει
NAS: on us. In all wisdom and insight
KJV: wisdom and prudence;
INT: wisdom and understanding

Strong's Greek 5428
2 Occurrences

φρονήσει — 2 Occ.