Aptitude
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Aptitude refers to a natural ability or talent for learning and performing tasks. In the context of the Bible, aptitude is often seen as a gift from God, enabling individuals to fulfill their God-given purposes and responsibilities. The concept of aptitude is closely related to wisdom, understanding, and skill, which are frequently mentioned in the Scriptures.

Biblical Examples of Aptitude:

1. Bezalel and Oholiab: In the construction of the Tabernacle, God endowed Bezalel and Oholiab with special skills and aptitudes. Exodus 31:2-5 states, "See, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze." This passage highlights that their aptitude was divinely inspired for the purpose of creating sacred objects.

2. Daniel and His Companions: Daniel and his friends were noted for their aptitude in learning and wisdom. Daniel 1:17 says, "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom, and Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams." Their aptitude allowed them to excel in the Babylonian court and remain faithful to God.

3. Solomon: King Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, which can be seen as a form of aptitude. In 1 Kings 3:12 , God says to Solomon, "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 aptitude in wisdom enabled him to govern Israel effectively and write many of the Proverbs.

Aptitude as a Gift from God:

The Bible teaches that aptitudes and talents are gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of others. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 , Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This passage emphasizes that spiritual gifts, including aptitudes, are given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church.

Stewardship of Aptitude:

Believers are called to be good stewards of their God-given aptitudes. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of using one's abilities wisely and productively. The servants who invested their talents were commended, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked. This parable underscores the responsibility to develop and utilize one's aptitudes in service to God and others.

Aptitude and Humility:

While aptitude is a valuable gift, the Bible warns against pride and self-reliance. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Believers are encouraged to rely on God, recognizing that their abilities are from Him and should be used in accordance with His will.

Conclusion:

Aptitude in the biblical sense is a divinely bestowed ability that enables individuals to fulfill their roles and responsibilities effectively. It is a gift to be stewarded wisely, used for the glory of God, and exercised with humility and reliance on the Lord.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A natural or acquired disposition or capacity for a particular purpose, or tendency to a particular action or effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn.

2. (n.) A general fitness or suitableness; adaptation.

3. (n.) Readiness in learning; docility; aptness.

Library

Whether Evil Corrupts the Whole Good?
... And there is also a kind of good which is diminished by evil, but is not wholly
taken away; and this good is the aptitude of a subject to some actuality. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether evil corrupts the whole.htm

Whether the Entire Good of Human Nature Can be Destroyed by Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, the good of nature, that is weakened by sin, is aptitude
for virtue. Now this aptitude is destroyed entirely ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the entire good of.htm

Whether in the Same Power, There are any Passions, Specifically ...
... Because, in the first place, it gives the patient an inclination or aptitude to
tend to the mover: thus a light body, which is above, bestows lightness on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the same power.htm

Whether There Can be any Habits in the Powers of the Sensitive ...
... Reply to Objection 1: The powers of the nutritive part have not an inborn aptitude
to obey the command of reason, and therefore there are no habits in them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any.htm

Whether Love is the First of the Concupiscible Passions?
... Now it is evident that whatever tends to an end, has, in the first place, an aptitude
or proportion to that end, for nothing tends to a disproportionate end ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether love is the first.htm

Whether virtue is in us by Nature?
... In this way one man has a natural aptitude for science, another for fortitude, another
for temperance: and in these ways, both intellectual and moral virtues ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether virtue is in us.htm

Vocation.
... If it is useful to consult our taste and aptitude it is because they are for the
most part indicative of God's will; hence we ought to employ them for the ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xii vocation.htm

Whether There is Will in God?
... Now everything has this aptitude towards its natural form, that when it has it not,
it tends towards it; and when it has it, it is at rest therein. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is will in.htm

On the Different Kinds of Cause.
... And everything that acts produces the effect, in conjunction with the aptitude
of that which is acted on. For the cause disposes. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ix on the different kinds.htm

Whether "Gift" is a Personal Name?
... I answer that, The word "gift" imports an aptitude for being given. And
what is given has an aptitude or relation both to the giver ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether gift is a personal.htm

Thesaurus
Aptitude (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A natural or acquired disposition or capacity for a particular purpose,
or tendency to a particular action or effect; as, oil has an aptitude to burn. ...
/a/aptitude.htm - 7k

Apt (7 Occurrences)

/a/apt.htm - 9k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) Some quality or endowment given to man by God; a preeminent and special
talent or aptitude; power; faculty; as, the gift of wit; a gift for speaking. ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... the method. 4. (n.) A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an
instinct for order; to be modest by instinct. 5. (vt) To ...
/i/instinct.htm - 8k

Ingenious (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Possessed of genius, or the faculty of invention; skillful or prompt to
invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations; as, an ...
/i/ingenious.htm - 7k

Readiness (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state or quality of being ready; preparation;
promptness; aptitude; willingness. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/readiness.htm - 11k

Many-sided (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Interested in, and having an aptitude for, many unlike pursuits or objects
of attention; versatile. Multi-Version Concordance Many-sided (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/many-sided.htm - 7k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... The citizens were a vigorous, turbulent and pushing race, notorious for their
commercial aptitude, the licentiousness of their pleasures, and the scurrility of ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

Skill (26 Occurrences)
... or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern
and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the ...
/s/skill.htm - 19k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... The citizens were a vigorous, turbulent and pushing race, notorious for their
commercial aptitude, the licentiousness of their pleasures, and the scurrility of ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Resources
Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the esoteric keys to the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Anselm of Canterbury? | GotQuestions.org

Aptitude: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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