The term "childish" in a biblical context often refers to behaviors or attitudes that are immature or lacking in spiritual maturity. The Bible uses the concept of childishness to contrast with the maturity expected of believers as they grow in their faith.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 13:11 · "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." This verse highlights the natural progression from childishness to maturity. The Apostle Paul uses this metaphor to illustrate the spiritual growth expected of Christians. As believers mature, they are called to leave behind immature ways of thinking and behaving.

2. Ephesians 4:14 · "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming." Here, Paul warns against remaining spiritually immature, which leaves one vulnerable to false teachings. Spiritual maturity is marked by stability and discernment, contrasting with the instability of childishness.

3. Hebrews 5:12-14 · "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This passage emphasizes the need for believers to grow beyond the basics of the faith and develop a deeper understanding of God's word, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity.

Theological Implications:

Childishness in the Bible is often associated with a lack of understanding and spiritual depth. It is not merely about age but about the state of one's spiritual development. The call to maturity is a call to deepen one's relationship with God, to grow in wisdom, and to develop the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where they may be exhibiting childish behaviors or attitudes. This includes being easily swayed by false teachings, lacking discernment, or failing to grow in love and understanding. The process of sanctification involves putting away childish things and striving towards the maturity exemplified by Christ.

Contrast with Childlikeness:

It is important to distinguish between "childish" and "childlike." While childishness is often viewed negatively, being childlike is commended in Scripture. Jesus Himself said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Childlikeness refers to qualities such as humility, trust, and openness, which are essential for a genuine relationship with God.

In summary, the biblical concept of childishness serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual growth and maturity. Believers are called to move beyond immature ways and to develop a mature faith that reflects the character of Christ.1. (a.) Of, pertaining to, befitting, or resembling, a child.

2. (a.) Puerile; trifling; weak.

3515. nepiazo -- to be an infant
... to be an infant. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: nepiazo Phonetic Spelling:
(nay-pee-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I am childish, infantile Definition: I am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3515.htm - 6k

3516. nepios -- an infant, fig. a simple-minded or immature person
... a simple-minded or immature person NASB Word Usage child (5), childish (1), children
(2), immature (1), infant (1), infants (4). an infant, child. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3516.htm - 6k

Whether Intemperance is a Childish Sin?
... OF THE VICES OPPOSED TO TEMPERANCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether intemperance is a childish
sin? Objection 1: It would seem that intemperance is not a childish sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intemperance is a childish.htm

My Opponent Will Perhaps Meet Me with Many Other Slanderous and ...
... Book I. 43 My opponent will perhaps meet me with many other slanderous
and childish charges which are? My opponent will perhaps ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/43 my opponent will perhaps.htm

And the Following Appear to Me to be Childish Assertions...
... Chapter XII. And the following appear to me to be childish assertions?
And the following appear to me to be childish assertions ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xii and the following.htm

Christ's Boyhood
... make him out. Most of these stories are so childish I do not like to repeat
them. One of them may serve as a sample. Our Lord, it ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xix christs boyhood.htm

The Lord Our Shepherd
... I feel, therefore, that what we all need is just to get back into the nursery again,
and take up our childish verses once more, and, while reading them with ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 4 the lord our.htm

1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as
a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture ii 1 corinthians xiii.htm

The Name Children Does not Imply Instruction in Elementary ...
... For we are not termed children and infants with reference to the childish and
contemptible character of our education, as those who are inflated on account of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the name children does.htm

Impressive Phrases
... dreadful. frivolous, trifling, petty, and childish. fruitful, fertile, prolific,
and productive. ... disgrace. infantile, childish, boyish, and dutiful. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Beautiful Secret.
... As the loving mother listened To the record of the day, To the questions of her
daughter" Spoken oft in childish way, She in tenderness instructed With the ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xii the beautiful secret.htm

1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as
a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture iii 1 corinthians xiii.htm

Childish (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Childish (1 Occurrence). ... Now that I have become a man,
I have put away childish things. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/childish.htm - 6k

Childhood (10 Occurrences)

/c/childhood.htm - 10k

Childless (25 Occurrences)

/c/childless.htm - 13k

Ziza (4 Occurrences)
... zi'-za (ziza', probably a childish reduplicated abbreviation or a term of endearment
(Curtis, Chron., 369, quoting Noldeke in EB, III 3294)): (1) A Simeonite ...
/z/ziza.htm - 8k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... Biblica (11th edition) disposes too easily of this question when he suggests that
image-worship is "a continuance by adults of their childish games with dolls ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Felt (40 Occurrences)
... child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away
childish things. (WEB WEY ASV DBY). 2 Corinthians 1:8 For ...
/f/felt.htm - 18k

Reasoned (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child,
reasoned like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways. ...
/r/reasoned.htm - 12k

Dark (234 Occurrences)
... In the same way Paul (1 Corinthians 13) distinguishes between the childish manner
of speaking of things spiritual and the manner of a man: "For now we see in a ...
/d/dark.htm - 44k

Babble (1 Occurrence)
... stones. 5. (vi) To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat,
as words, in a childish way without understanding. 6. (vi ...
/b/babble.htm - 7k

Sayings (134 Occurrences)
... In the same way Paul (1 Corinthians 13) distinguishes between the childish manner
of speaking of things spiritual and the manner of a man: "For now we see in a ...
/s/sayings.htm - 41k

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