Definition:
Surmise refers to the act of forming an opinion or assumption based on incomplete or uncertain evidence. It involves conjecture or speculation without firm evidence. In a biblical context, surmise can lead to misunderstandings or false judgments, as it often relies on human reasoning rather than divine revelation or truth.

Biblical References and Context:
The concept of surmise is not directly named in the Bible, but the idea is present in various passages that warn against making judgments or assumptions without full knowledge or understanding.

1. Proverbs 18:13 : "He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him."
This verse highlights the folly of making assumptions or judgments without fully understanding the situation. It warns against the dangers of surmising without listening or gathering all the facts.

2. 1 Timothy 6:4 : "He is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions."
Here, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about individuals who engage in disputes and controversies, leading to "evil suspicions." This can be seen as a form of surmise, where assumptions and conjectures lead to discord and misunderstanding.

3. James 4:11-12 : "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
James cautions against making judgments about others, which often stem from surmising their motives or actions without full knowledge. This passage underscores the importance of leaving judgment to God, who alone has complete understanding.

Theological Implications:
Surmise can lead to sin when it results in false accusations, gossip, or slander. It reflects a reliance on human wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance and truth. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding from God, who provides clarity and truth through His Word and Spirit.

Practical Application:
Believers are called to exercise discernment and avoid making hasty judgments based on incomplete information. Instead of surmising, Christians are encouraged to seek the truth, listen carefully, and rely on God's wisdom. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking counsel from mature believers. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of surmise and promote peace and understanding within the body of Christ.

Related Concepts:
· Discernment: The ability to judge well, especially in spiritual matters, by seeking God's wisdom and understanding.
· Judgment: The act of forming an opinion or conclusion, which should be based on truth and righteousness rather than assumptions.
· Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment, which is a gift from God and essential for avoiding the errors of surmise.1. (n.) A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmisses of jealousy or of envy.

2. (n.) Reflection; thought.

3. (v. t.) To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess.

5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... Word Origin from hupo and noeo Definition to suspect, conjecture NASB Word Usage
expecting (1), suppose (1), surmise (1). think, suppose, deem. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5282.htm - 6k

Organically One.
... Unless its spiritual wealth and nobility are discovered in some other way, no one
will surmise that this is the Church which shall one day decide the destiny ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxx organically one.htm

Elucidations.
... [155]. Tertullian born (circa) ad150. Tertullian converted (surmise) 185. ... Tertullian
lapsed (circa) 200. Tertullian deceased (extreme surmise) 240. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/elucidations.htm

Whether Man in his First State could be Deceived?
... I answer that, in the opinion of some, deception may mean two things; namely, any
slight surmise, in which one adheres to what is false, as though it were true ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man in his first.htm

He Has no Right to Assert a Greater and Less in the Divine Being. ...
... If, then, this surmise is to have its way, namely, that our Lord is not perfected
in every kind of good, it is very easy to see the conclusion of the blasphemy ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 22 he has no.htm

To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.
... and anticipates all things, but Itself is altogether incomprehensible to all, and
of It, there is neither perception nor imagination, nor surmise, nor name ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput i to my fellow.htm

The Grave of John, and Another Grave
... would be equally credulous. From one to another the surmise would
pass""John the Baptist is risen from the dead.". Why, then, did ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm

Chapter iv
... To claim that she could quite naturally have anticipated that fact, would practically
make revelation unnecessary: man could adequately surmise the most vital ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

Acts and Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Andrew.
... At these words, therefore, all becoming exceedingly grieved, in order that the surmise
might be free from doubt, He made it clear, saying, To whomsoever I ...
/.../acts and martyrdom of the holy apostle andrew/acts and martyrdom of the.htm

Preface
... others. If this be true, his surmise proved correct, for the appearance of
his subsequent pamphlet was greeted with instant favor.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/de liguori/uniformity with gods will/preface.htm

On Patience
... We, namely, can feel none of these without molestation: but be it far from us to
surmise that the impassible nature of God is liable to any molestation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /on patience.htm

Surmise (1 Occurrence)
... to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess. Multi-Version Concordance
Surmise (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth ...
/s/surmise.htm - 7k

Infer (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To derive by deduction or by induction; to conclude or surmise from facts
or premises; to accept or derive, as a consequence, conclusion, or probability ...
/i/infer.htm - 7k

Rezon (3 Occurrences)
... It is said of Rezon that he "reigned over Syria" (1 Kings 11:25), and if the surmise
adopted by many scholars is correct that he is the same as Hezion (1 Kings ...
/r/rezon.htm - 9k

Amalekite (12 Occurrences)
... They do not seem to have had any relationship with the tribes of Israel, save as,
we may surmise, some of the descendants of Esau were incorporated into the ...
/a/amalekite.htm - 16k

Amalek (35 Occurrences)
... They do not seem to have had any relationship with the tribes of Israel, save as,
we may surmise, some of the descendants of Esau were incorporated into the ...
/a/amalek.htm - 22k

Semitic
... of the Semites. Various theories of course have been proposed; fancy and
surmise have ranged from Africa to Central Asia. (1) The ...
/s/semitic.htm - 28k

Semites
... of the Semites. Various theories of course have been proposed; fancy and
surmise have ranged from Africa to Central Asia. (1) The ...
/s/semites.htm - 27k

Suspect (1 Occurrence)
... to have a slight or vague opinion of the existence of, without proof, and often
upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to surmise; -- commonly used ...
/s/suspect.htm - 7k

Surmised (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Surmise. Multi-Version Concordance
Surmised (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth ...
/s/surmised.htm - 6k

Surly (1 Occurrence)

/s/surly.htm - 7k

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