Lexical Summary aphrosuné: Foolishness, folly, senselessness Original Word: ἀφροσύνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance folly, foolishly. From aphron; senselessness, i.e. (euphemistically) egotism; (morally) recklessness -- folly, foolishly(-ness). see GREEK aphron HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 877 aphrosýnē – lack of perspective, emphasizing its quality (foolishness) – note the -synē suffix (focusing on the inherent quality of a term). See 878 (aphrōn). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aphrón Definition foolishness NASB Translation foolishness (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 877: ἀφροσύνηἀφροσύνη, ἀφροσύνης, ἡ (ἄφρων), foolishness, folly, senselessness: 2 Corinthians 11:1, 17, 21; thoughtlessness, recklessness, Mark 7:22. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s 877 identifies the condition of moral and spiritual foolishness. Scripture treats it not as intellectual deficit but as a willful dismissal of God-given light. The term exposes an inner orientation that produces outward transgression, and it functions in the New Testament as a warning against both overt sin and subtle, self-styled pride. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 7:22 – Jesus lists “arrogance and foolishness” among the evils that “come from within and defile a man”. Historical and Old Testament Roots Hebrew wisdom literature grounds the concept: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Proverbs contrasts folly with the fear of the LORD, defining the former as obstinate rebellion. The Septuagint often renders those Hebrew terms with words cognate to ἀφροσύνη, so when Jesus and Paul employ it, they draw on a well-established moral category that their hearers would immediately recognize. Theological Significance • Sinfulness revealed: In Mark 7, foolishness closes the catalog of inner evils, highlighting its comprehensive nature—every prior sin flows from a heart that has first rejected wisdom. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Self-examination: Ministers must guard against subtle pride that masquerades as spiritual maturity. Boasting in achievements, titles, or heritage echoes the Corinthian error. Practical Warnings and Encouragements • Folly is contagious (Proverbs 13:20); vigilance in friendships and leadership circles is critical. Conclusion Strong’s 877 exposes the heart’s rebellion and underscores humanity’s need for divine wisdom. Whether denouncing sin’s roots (Mark 7) or employing irony to defend apostolic authority (2 Corinthians 11), the New Testament uses the term to call believers away from self-reliance and toward humble dependence on the wisdom revealed in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations αφροσύναις αφροσυνη αφροσύνη ἀφροσύνη ἀφροσύνῃ αφροσύνην αφροσυνης αφροσύνης ἀφροσύνης aphrosune aphrosunē aphrosunes aphrosunēs aphrosyne aphrosynē aphrosýne aphrosýnē aphrosýnei aphrosýnēi aphrosynes aphrosynēs aphrosýnes aphrosýnēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 7:22 N-NFSGRK: βλασφημία ὑπερηφανία ἀφροσύνη NAS: slander, pride [and] foolishness. KJV: blasphemy, pride, foolishness: INT: slander pride foolishness 2 Corinthians 11:1 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 11:17 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 11:21 N-DFS Strong's Greek 877 |
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