The term "unlettered" generally refers to individuals who lack formal education or literacy. In the context of the Bible, it often denotes those who are perceived as lacking scholarly or theological training. Despite this, the Scriptures frequently highlight how God uses the unlettered to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating that divine wisdom and understanding are not confined to the educated elite.

Biblical Context

In the New Testament, the apostles Peter and John are described as "unlettered" or "unschooled" men. In Acts 4:13 , it is written: "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus." This passage underscores the transformative power of being in the presence of Christ, which equips even the unlettered with wisdom and boldness that confound the learned.

Old Testament Examples

The Old Testament also provides examples of God using those who might be considered unlettered by societal standards. David, the shepherd boy who became king, was not initially recognized for his scholarly prowess but for his heart after God (1 Samuel 16:7). Similarly, Amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer, was called by God to be a prophet, despite his lack of formal prophetic training (Amos 7:14-15).

Divine Wisdom Over Human Knowledge

The Bible consistently emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God, not from human education alone. Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This divine wisdom is accessible to all, regardless of their educational background, and is often revealed to those who are humble and reliant on God.

Jesus and the Unlettered

Jesus Himself chose many of His disciples from among the common people, such as fishermen and tax collectors, rather than from the ranks of the educated religious leaders. This choice highlights the principle that God often chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). Jesus' teachings were accessible to all, and He often spoke in parables that resonated with the everyday experiences of His listeners.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The empowerment of the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in equipping the unlettered for God's work. In John 14:26 , Jesus promises, "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 provides believers with the understanding and ability to communicate God's truth effectively, regardless of their educational background.

Implications for the Church

The use of the unlettered in Scripture serves as a reminder to the Church that God's calling and empowerment are not limited by human qualifications. The Church is encouraged to recognize and nurture the gifts of all believers, trusting that God can use anyone for His purposes. This perspective fosters a community where every member is valued and where reliance on God's wisdom is paramount.62. agrammatos -- without learning, unlettered
... without learning, unlettered. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: agrammatos
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ram-mat-os) Short Definition: uneducated Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/62.htm - 6k

2399. idiotes -- a private or unskilled person
... properly, of one's ; used of a person who lacks education or status -- hence, easily
misunderstood as being uninstructed (unrefined, "unlettered in speech"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2399.htm - 7k

"A Simple Creature Unlettered. --Which Creature Afore Desired ...
... CHAPTER II "A simple creature unlettered."Which creature afore desired
three gifts of God". "A simple creature unlettered."Which ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter ii a simple creature.htm

John i. 1
... Besides, Luke testifies this when he writes not only that he was ignorant, [21]
but that he was absolutely unlettered. [22] ( Acts 4:13.) As was likely. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily ii john i 1.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... The "God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men" (Luke 18:11) seems like the natural
breath of Rabbinism in the company of the unlettered, and of all who ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... the sharpest contrast, as we pass from the Forerunner to the Messiah, from the Temple
to Galilee, from the idiot' priest to the humble, unlettered family of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

Sin not Material.
... Christianity. That foolish, ignorant, and unlettered Christianity was not only
false, but beneath their notice, unworthy to be discussed. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xi sin not material.htm

Naaman's Wrath
... You are an educated man, a student; you do not like to take the same place as the
most unlettered, and to feel that the common fact of sin puts you, in a very ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans wrath.htm

Letter cxliv. From Augustine to Optatus.
... If your old men hold fast what they have received from learned priests, how comes
it that you are troubled by a boorish mob of unlettered clerics? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxliv from augustine to.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... But this people' - the country-people (Am ha-arez), the ignorant, unlettered rabble -
are cursed.' Sufficient has been shown in previous parts of this book to ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

His Place in History
... Christ had departed from the world, and those whom He had left to represent Him
were unlettered fishermen and, for the most part, men of no intellectual mark. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter i his place in.htm

1 Cor. I. 10
... And when they say that the Apostles were rude, let us follow up the remark and say
that they were also untaught, and unlettered, and poor, and vile, and stupid ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iii 1 cor i.htm

Unlettered (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unlettered (1 Occurrence). Acts 4:13 But seeing
the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they ...
/u/unlettered.htm - 6k

Unlevelled (1 Occurrence)

/u/unlevelled.htm - 6k

Uninstructed (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were
unlettered and uninstructed men, they wondered; and they recognised them ...
/u/uninstructed.htm - 7k

Openness (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that
they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering -- they were taking ...
/o/openness.htm - 7k

Wondering (22 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that
they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering -- they were taking ...
/w/wondering.htm - 12k

Illiterate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Unable to read or write; ignorant of letters or books;
unlettered; uninstructed; uneducated; as, an illiterate man, or people. ...
/i/illiterate.htm - 7k

Ignorant (32 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Resulting from ignorance; foolish; silly. 5. (n.) A person untaught or
uninformed; one unlettered or unskilled; an ignoramus. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/ignorant.htm - 16k

Recognised (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were
unlettered and uninstructed men, they wondered; and they recognised them ...
/r/recognised.htm - 9k

Plebeian (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 4:13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that
they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering -- they were taking ...
/p/plebeian.htm - 7k

Perceiving (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were
unlettered and uninstructed men, they wondered; and they recognised them ...
/p/perceiving.htm - 13k

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Unlettered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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