Inquiry, in the biblical context, refers to the act of seeking information, understanding, or guidance, often through questioning or investigation. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where individuals and communities are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment from God. The Bible presents inquiry as a means to grow in faith, gain knowledge, and align one's life with divine principles.

Biblical Instances of Inquiry

1. Solomon's Request for Wisdom: One of the most notable examples of inquiry in the Bible is King Solomon's request for wisdom. In 1 Kings 3:9 , Solomon asks God, "Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." Solomon's inquiry was not for personal gain but to govern God's people wisely, demonstrating the value of seeking divine insight.

2. The Bereans' Examination of Scripture: The Bereans are commended for their diligent inquiry in Acts 17:11 : "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Their example highlights the importance of verifying teachings against the Word of God.

3. Job's Search for Understanding: The Book of Job is a profound exploration of inquiry into the nature of suffering and divine justice. Job's persistent questioning and dialogue with God and his friends illustrate the human struggle to comprehend life's challenges. In Job 28:12 , Job asks, "But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell?" This reflects the deep yearning for answers that characterizes human inquiry.

The Role of Inquiry in Faith

Inquiry is not only encouraged but is seen as essential for spiritual growth. Proverbs 2:3-5 states, "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." This passage underscores the proactive nature of inquiry in the pursuit of divine wisdom.

Jesus and Inquiry

Jesus Christ often engaged in inquiry, both asking and answering questions to reveal deeper truths. In Matthew 16:13-15 , Jesus inquires of His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" and follows with, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" These questions are designed to provoke reflection and personal conviction about His identity and mission.

Inquiry and Prayer

Prayer is a primary means of inquiry in the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and wisdom through prayer. James 1:5 assures, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This promise highlights God's readiness to respond to sincere inquiries made in faith.

Cautions in Inquiry

While inquiry is encouraged, the Bible also warns against certain types of questioning. In 1 Timothy 6:20-21 , Paul advises Timothy, "Guard the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge." This caution serves as a reminder to discern between fruitful inquiry and fruitless or harmful speculation.

Conclusion

Inquiry, when pursued with a sincere heart and a desire for truth, is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. It leads to greater understanding, spiritual maturity, and a closer relationship with God. Through inquiry, believers are equipped to navigate life's complexities and fulfill their divine calling.1. (n.) The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

2. (n.) Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination into facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries.

1906. eperotema -- an inquiry, a demand
... an inquiry, a demand. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: eperotema Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-er-o'-tay-mah) Short Definition: inquiry, request, appeal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1906.htm - 6k

1331. dierotao -- to find by inquiry
... to find by inquiry. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dierotao Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-er-o-tah'-o) Short Definition: I find by inquiry Definition: I find ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1331.htm - 6k

2213. zetema -- an inquiry
... an inquiry. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: zetema Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay'-tay-mah) Short Definition: a question, dispute Definition: a question ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2213.htm - 7k

3180. methodeia -- craft, deceit
... methodeia Phonetic Spelling: (meth-od-i'-ah) Short Definition: scheming, craftiness
Definition: (a way of search after something, an inquiry; a method ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3180.htm - 7k

4441. punthanomai -- to inquire, by impl. to learn
... punthanomai Phonetic Spelling: (poon-than'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I ask, inquire
Definition: I ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4441.htm - 7k

351. anakrisis -- an examination
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anakrisis Phonetic Spelling: (an-ak'-ree-sis) Short
Definition: judicial examination, preliminary inquiry Definition: judicial ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/351.htm - 6k

419. anexeraunetos -- unsearchable
... negates the intensified term, 1830 , "search out ") -- properly, impossible to fully
investigate, no matter how great the effort (inquiry); (); impossible to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/419.htm - 7k

2045. ereunao -- search.
... search. Apparently from ereo (through the idea of inquiry); to seek, ie (figuratively)
to investigate -- search. see GREEK ereo. (erauna) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2045.htm - 6k

5179. tupos -- typically
... 75.8). 5179 () is also used of a , "Let an inquiry be made into his means; only
there is a according to which I have often judged" (, 645).]. example, warning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179.htm - 7k

4226. pou -- where?
... Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos (what) otherwise obsolete (perhaps
the same as pou used with the rising slide of inquiry); as adverb of place; at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4226.htm - 6k

1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... by them at all (1), demand (1), inquire (33), inquired (5), inquirer (1), investigate
(3), investigated (1), looks (2), making inquiry (1), questioned (1 ...
/hebrew/1875.htm - 6k

1239. baqar -- to inquire, seek
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to inquire, seek NASB Word Usage care (1),
concerned (1), inquire (1), make inquiry (1), meditate (1), seek (2). ...
/hebrew/1239.htm - 6k

2714. cheqer -- a searching, a thing (to be) searched out
... Word Origin from chaqar Definition a searching, a thing (to be) searched out NASB
Word Usage depths (1), inquiry (1), inscrutable* (1), recesses (1), search (1 ...
/hebrew/2714.htm - 6k

Whether Counsel is an Inquiry?
... OF COUNSEL, WHICH PRECEDES CHOICE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether counsel is an inquiry?
Objection 1: It would seem that counsel is not an inquiry. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether counsel is an inquiry.htm

Possibly Thy Inquiry is Satisfied by this My Brief Reply. ...
... 3. Possibly thy inquiry is satisfied by this my brief reply.? 3. Possibly
thy inquiry is satisfied by this my brief reply. But ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /3 possibly thy inquiry is.htm

The Sixth Chapter: an Inquiry on the Proper Thing to do Before ...
... BOOK FOUR. AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Sixth Chapter: An Inquiry
on the Proper Thing to Do Before Communion. The Disciple ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the sixth chapter an inquiry.htm

Wherein is a Partial Inquiry into the Nature of the World, and a ...
... I. Wherein is a partial inquiry into the nature of the world, and a more minute
exposition of the things which preceded the genesis of man. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/i wherein is a partial.htm

A Book of Modern Social Inquiry Has a Shape that is Somewhat ...
... Chapter 1 A book of modern social inquiry has a shape that is somewhat
sharply defined.? A book of modern social inquiry has a ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 1 a book of.htm

An Inquiry Why in Egypt they do not Fast During all the Fifty Days ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XI. An inquiry why in Egypt they do not
fast during all the fifty days (of Easter) nor bend their knees in prayer. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xi an inquiry why.htm

Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the ...
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 1-10 Chapter 7 Kadesh. Rekam, and that double.
Inquiry is made, Whether the doubling it in the Maps is well done. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 7 kadesh rekam and.htm

Free Inquiry.
... Book X. Chapter IV."Free Inquiry. To this Peter answered: "Let us not
concern ourselves about this; and if indeed it is fitting ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter iv free inquiry.htm

Which Inquiry, Being Given Into, Ended in the Real Knowledge of ...
... [Way-1-78] Which inquiry, being given into, ended in the real knowledge
of this good and evil? Which inquiry, being given into ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-78 which inquiry being given.htm

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XXIV Of avoiding of curious
inquiry into the life of another. "My Son, be not curious ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of avoiding of.htm

Inquiry (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Inquiry (15 Occurrences). ... Luke 2:45 but being unable to
find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquiry for Him. (WEY). ...
/i/inquiry.htm - 11k

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest. 3. (n.) The finding
of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry. ...
/i/inquisition.htm - 9k

Question (153 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine by question and
answer. ... 4. (n.) That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query. ...
/q/question.htm - 37k

Inquiring (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Inquire. 2. (a.) Given to inquiry; disposed to investigate
causes; curious; as, an inquiring mind. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/inquiring.htm - 13k

Inquire (95 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To ask about; to seek to know by asking; to make examination or inquiry
respecting. 4. (vt) To call or name. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INQUIRE. ...
/i/inquire.htm - 39k

Investigation (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of investigating; the process of inquiring
into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. ...
/i/investigation.htm - 8k

Interrogation (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of interrogating or questioning; examination
by questions; inquiry. 2. (n.) A question put; an inquiry. ...
/i/interrogation.htm - 8k

Thorough (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 17:4 and it be told thee, and thou hearest of it; then thou shalt make
thorough inquiry, and if it be truth and the thing be certain, that this ...
/t/thorough.htm - 9k

Report (127 Occurrences)
... of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill with amendments,
or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry. ...
/r/report.htm - 38k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Careful or anxious to learn; eager for knowledge; given to research or inquiry;
habitually inquisitive; prying; -- sometimes with after or of. ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

What is the danger in gossiping about your pastor and his family? | GotQuestions.org

What is secular humanism? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Mormon. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Inquiry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus