Topical Bible: Man: Possessed of Understanding

◄ Man: Possessed of Understanding ►

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In the biblical context, the concept of man being "possessed of understanding" is deeply rooted in the notion that human beings are endowed with the capacity to discern, reason, and comprehend both divine and earthly matters. This understanding is seen as a gift from God, enabling individuals to navigate life in accordance with His will and purpose.

Creation and the Image of God

The foundation of man's understanding is established in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Being made in the image of God implies that humans possess attributes reflecting God's nature, including the ability to understand and reason.

Wisdom and Understanding

The Bible frequently associates understanding with wisdom, a quality highly esteemed in Scripture. Proverbs 2:6 declares, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse underscores that true understanding is divinely sourced, a gift bestowed by God upon those who seek it earnestly.

The Role of the Heart and Mind

Understanding in the biblical sense involves both the heart and the mind. Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." This suggests that while human reasoning is valuable, it must be aligned with trust in God, acknowledging that divine wisdom surpasses human intellect.

The Fear of the Lord

A recurring theme in Scripture is the connection between the fear of the Lord and understanding. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Reverence for God is portrayed as the starting point for true understanding, guiding individuals to live righteously.

Understanding and Obedience

Understanding is not merely intellectual but is also practical, leading to obedience to God's commandments. Psalm 119:34 expresses this relationship: "Give me understanding that I may observe Your law, and follow it with all my heart." Here, understanding is linked to the ability to follow God's law wholeheartedly.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit is emphasized in imparting understanding. Jesus promised His disciples in John 14:26 , "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit is depicted as a teacher who deepens believers' understanding of spiritual truths.

The Example of Solomon

King Solomon is often cited as an exemplar of God-given understanding. In 1 Kings 3:9 , Solomon prays, "Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." God grants his request, and Solomon becomes renowned for his wisdom and understanding, illustrating the potential for human comprehension when aligned with divine will.

The Limitations of Human Understanding

While Scripture celebrates the gift of understanding, it also acknowledges its limitations. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage highlights the vastness of God's wisdom compared to human understanding.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of man as "possessed of understanding" emphasizes a divinely endowed capacity to discern and act wisely. This understanding is cultivated through reverence for God, obedience to His commandments, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all while recognizing the ultimate supremacy of God's wisdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Manner in which Man Conducted Himself for Fulfilling the First ...
... in its nature, and for which man possessed inclination and ... cause was the will of
man, which applied itself to the act, the understanding preceding and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxx the manner in.htm

On the Creation, and Chiefly that of Man
... primeval state Adam neither received or possessed a Proximate capability of
understanding, believing, or ... have been to be created within man himself.8 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the creation and chiefly.htm

Whether Faith Can be Greater in one Man than in Another?
... in something supreme, because it requires that man should adhere ... above ([2339]Q[1],
A[7]). Now the understanding of principles is possessed in equal ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether faith can be greater.htm

Necessity of a Union with the Holy Spirit.
... Man is not, as the croaking philosophers say, merely a rational ... according to them,
even irrational creatures appear possessed of understanding and knowledge ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xv necessity of a union.htm

The Jewish Sacrifices are Now Abolished.
... an oath of falsehood." [1460] We ought therefore, being possessed of understanding,
to perceive ... The Greek reads, "might not have a man-made oblation." The ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter ii the jewish sacrifices are.htm

Showing How the Inward Man Should Exercise Himself, that He May be ...
... When such a quickened man rises up, with his whole ... the air"for, if the air had
understanding, it could ... knowing and feeling of God is possessed in essential ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter viii showing how the.htm

Of Man, and the Brute Animals, and Religion.
... not to know, who is so void of understanding as not ... What is so peculiar to man as
reason and the ... they would not do this unless they possessed intelligence and ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap vii of man and the.htm

That Although not Understanding them to be the Gifts of God, they ...
... Chapter 21."That Although Not Understanding Them to Be ... by any god whatever on a man
possessing virtue ... Mercury or Minerva, when Virtue already possessed all in ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 that although not understanding.htm

Whether the Gifts are Necessary to Man for Salvation?
... ii, 26) that "the Holy Ghost gives wisdom against folly, understanding against dullness ...
is greater than the former, yet the former is possessed by man in a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gifts are necessary.htm

Whether the Sixth Beatitude, "Blessed are the Clean of Heart," Etc ...
... the gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect man in the ... of understanding; the first, to the
gift of understanding in its state of perfection, as possessed in heaven ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sixth beatitude blessed.htm