In the context of the Bible, "wits" refers to the mental faculties, including intelligence, understanding, and discernment. The concept of wits is closely related to wisdom, knowledge, and prudence, which are highly valued in the biblical narrative. The Bible often contrasts the wise with the foolish, emphasizing the importance of using one's wits in accordance with God's will.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently highlights the value of wisdom and understanding. In Proverbs, a book dedicated to imparting wisdom, the use of one's wits is encouraged as a means to live a righteous and fulfilling life. Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." Here, the acquisition of wisdom and understanding is portrayed as a paramount pursuit, suggesting that one's wits should be directed towards gaining insight and discernment.

The account of Solomon is a prime example of the use of wits in the Old Testament. When God offered Solomon anything he desired, Solomon chose wisdom to govern the people effectively. In 1 Kings 3:12 , God responds, "Behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." Solomon's request for wisdom over wealth or power demonstrates the biblical ideal of valuing wits for the purpose of righteous leadership and justice.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the use of wits is often associated with spiritual discernment and understanding of God's truth. Jesus frequently taught in parables, requiring listeners to engage their wits to grasp the deeper spiritual meanings. In Matthew 13:13 , Jesus explains, "This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'" Here, the ability to understand and perceive spiritual truths is linked to the use of one's wits.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of spiritual wisdom and understanding. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , Paul prays for the believers, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." This passage underscores the necessity of using one's wits to comprehend the spiritual realities and promises of God.

Practical Application

The Bible encourages believers to use their wits not only for personal gain but for the benefit of others and the glory of God. James 1:5 offers a practical approach: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance to enhance one's wits, ensuring that they are aligned with God's purposes.

In summary, the biblical perspective on wits encompasses the pursuit of wisdom, understanding, and discernment. It calls for the use of mental faculties in a manner that honors God and serves others, reflecting the divine wisdom that is available to all who seek it earnestly.1630. ekphobos -- terrified
... 1630 (an adjective, derived from 1537 , "wholly ," intensifying 5401 , "fear") --
properly, wholly frightened (literally of one's wits), ie with the outcome of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1630.htm - 7k

3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... 3525 ("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about
them," which is the opposite of being . Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3525.htm - 7k

1629. ekphobeo -- to frighten away
... Definition: I frighten away, terrify. Cognate: 1629 -- properly, (one's wits),
used only in 2 Cor 10:9. See 1630 (). Word Origin from ek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1629.htm - 6k

1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... From ek and histemi; to put (stand) out of wits, ie Astound, or (reflexively) become
astounded, insane -- amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1839.htm - 8k

639. aporeo -- to be at a loss, be perplexed
... be perplexed. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aporeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-or-eh'-o) Short Definition: I am in difficulties, am at my wits end Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/639.htm - 6k

2451. chokmah -- wisdom
... Word Origin from chakam Definition wisdom NASB Word Usage skill (5), skill* (1),
wisdom (143), wisely (3), wits' (1). skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. ...
/hebrew/2451.htm - 6k

That Right as by the Defailing of Our Bodily Wits we Begin More ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE SEVENTIETH CHAPTER That right as by the defailing of our bodily
wits we begin more readily to come to knowing of ghostly things, so by the ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the seventieth chapter.htm

One Has Succeeded in Finding Definite Truth, when He Believes ...
... Chapter X."One Has Succeeded in Finding Definite Truth, When He Believes Heretical
Wits are Always Offering Many Things for Vain Discussion, But We are Not ...
/.../tertullian/the prescription against heretics/chapter x one has succeeded in.htm

How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Word "In ...
... They read and hear well said that they should leave outward working with their wits,
and work inwards: and because that they know not which is inward working ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 4.htm

Sensuality is a Power of Our Soul
... SENSUALITY is a power of our soul, recking and reigning in the bodily wits, through
the which we have bodily knowing and feeling of all bodily creatures ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the six and 5.htm

That Nowhere Bodily, is Everywhere Ghostly; and How Our Outer Man ...
... AND on the same manner, where another man would bid thee gather thy powers and thy
wits wholly within thyself, and worship God there"although he say full ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eight and 5.htm

Third Part of the Book.
... and says "the world surrounded me and weighed me down": that is "The world has besieged
me on every side; and through the gates of my five wits it shot at me ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/third part of the book.htm

No Compromise
... Blunders might very readily occur before he was aware of it; and he needed to have
all his wits about him, and something more than his wits, too, for so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/no compromise.htm

Of the Shortness of this Word, and How it May not be Come to by ...
... For whoso heareth this work either be read or spoken of, and weeneth that it may,
or should, be come to by travail in their wits, and therefore they sit and ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fourth chapter.htm

Of the Powers of a Soul in General, and How Memory in Special is a ...
... Imagination and Sensuality work beastly in all bodily things, whether they
be present or absent, in the body and with the bodily wits. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and 5.htm

How God Will be Served Both with Body and with Soul, and Reward ...
... Of the which, some be not coming from without into the body by the windows of our
wits, but from within; rising and springing of abundance of ghostly gladness ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eight and 3.htm

Wits (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wits (1 Occurrence). Psalms 107:27 They reel back and
forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. ...
/w/wits.htm - 6k

Wit (28 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A mental faculty, or power of the mind; -- used in this sense chiefly in
the plural, and in certain phrases; as, to lose one's wits; at one's wits' end ...
/w/wit.htm - 17k

Wit's (1 Occurrence)

/w/wit's.htm - 6k

Witty (1 Occurrence)
... see Do), has become in the Revised Version (British and American) "We make known
unto you." The noun "wit" is found in Psalm 107:27, "at their wits' (the King ...
/w/witty.htm - 10k

Wist (13 Occurrences)
... see Do), has become in the Revised Version (British and American) "We make known
unto you." The noun "wit" is found in Psalm 107:27, "at their wits' (the King ...
/w/wist.htm - 14k

Wot (10 Occurrences)
... see Do), has become in the Revised Version (British and American) "We make known
unto you." The noun "wit" is found in Psalm 107:27, "at their wits' (the King ...
/w/wot.htm - 13k

Witnessings (1 Occurrence)

/w/witnessings.htm - 6k

Reel (6 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 107:27 They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man,
and are at their wits' end. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/reel.htm - 9k

Reeled (3 Occurrences)
... angry. (See RSV). Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken
man, And are at their wits end. (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/reeled.htm - 7k

Drunken (38 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV). Psalms 107:27 They reel back and forth, and
stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. ...
/d/drunken.htm - 18k

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