In the context of the Bible and biblical times, the term "illiterate" refers to individuals who were unable to read or write. Literacy in ancient times was not as widespread as it is today, and many people, including some of the early followers of Jesus, were likely illiterate. Despite this, the message of the Bible was accessible to all, as it was often communicated orally.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, literacy was generally limited to scribes, priests, and certain members of the ruling class. The ability to read and write was a specialized skill, often associated with the recording of legal documents, religious texts, and royal decrees. For example, the role of the scribe was crucial in preserving the Law and the history of Israel. In Deuteronomy 6:6-9 , the Israelites are commanded to keep the words of the Law in their hearts and to teach them diligently to their children, indicating the importance of oral transmission of God's commandments.

New Testament Context

By the time of the New Testament, literacy rates had improved somewhat, but many people were still illiterate. The early Christian community relied heavily on oral tradition to spread the teachings of Jesus. The apostles and other early church leaders often preached and taught in public gatherings, ensuring that even those who could not read could hear and understand the Gospel message. In Romans 10:17 , Paul writes, "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ," emphasizing the importance of oral proclamation.

Jesus and the Illiterate

Jesus' ministry was inclusive of all people, regardless of their social or educational status. He often spoke in parables, which were easily understood accounts that conveyed deep spiritual truths. This method of teaching was accessible to both the literate and illiterate. In Matthew 11:25 , Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to "little children," a term that can be understood to include those who are humble and unlearned.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers into all truth, regardless of their literacy level. 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." This assurance means that understanding and wisdom are not limited to those who can read but are available to all who seek God earnestly.

The Spread of the Gospel

The early church's mission to spread the Gospel was not hindered by the literacy levels of its audience. The apostles and evangelists traveled extensively, preaching the Good News to diverse populations. Acts 4:13 notes the astonishment of the Jewish leaders at the boldness of Peter and John, recognizing that they were "unschooled, ordinary men." This highlights that the power of the Gospel transcends human limitations, including literacy.

Implications for Today

While literacy is more common today, the biblical principle of making God's Word accessible to all remains relevant. The church continues to use various means, including oral storytelling, audio recordings, and visual media, to reach those who may be illiterate. The emphasis is on ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to hear and respond to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.(a.) Unable to read or write; ignorant of letters or books; unlettered; uninstructed; uneducated; as, an illiterate man, or people.62. agrammatos -- without learning, unlettered
... Adjective Transliteration: agrammatos Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ram-mat-os) Short
Definition: uneducated Definition: unlettered, illiterate, uneducated, perhaps ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/62.htm - 6k3808. lo -- not
... 47), carefully (1), cheaply* (1), disregarded* (1), except (1), failed* (1), false*
(1), futile* (1), gone (1), ignorant* (1), illiterate* (1), impotent* (1 ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

3045. yada -- to know
... had...relations (1), has (1), has regard (1), has...knowledge (1), have (4), have
relations (3), have...knowledge (2), ignorant* (1), illiterate* (1), indeed ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

5612. sepher -- a missive, document, writing, book
... a missive, document, writing, book NASB Word Usage Book (47), book (79), books
(2), certificate (3), deed (6), deeds (3), illiterate* (1), indictment (1 ...
/hebrew/5612.htm - 6k

I Will Follow the Order of Your Letter, and Subjoin Your Very ...
... I was not so foolish as to criticize your illiterate style; no one can expose
it to condemnation so strongly as you do whenever you write. ...
/.../6 i will follow the.htm

Now Let this Simple Question Decide the Whole Matter Here...
... matter here: has this great scholar any more power of saying to this mountain,
"Be thou removed hence, and cast into the sea," than the illiterate Christian has ...
/.../address 100 0 0 now let this.htm

Letter cxviii. (AD 410. )
... you bring it before me in these words: "You know the ways of men, how prone they
are to censure, and how any one will be regarded as illiterate and stupid who ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxviii a d 410.htm

The Knowledge of Tropes is Necessary.
... understanding Scripture. But this is not the place to teach them to the
illiterate, lest it might seem that I was teaching grammar. I ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 29 the knowledge of tropes.htm

This is the True Height, and Depth, and Total Strength of Deism or ...
... hearts turned to God; and declared, that they only "who were of God, could hear
the Word of God!" How strange, that Christ should choose only illiterate men to ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-103 this is the true.htm

Epistle xxvi. To Januarius, Bishop.
... It should also be seen to that he be not illiterate, or under liability to the state,
so as to be compelled after assuming a sacred order to return to public ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxvi to januarius bishop.htm

Eccles. 12:12 Simplicity in Preaching.
... It is an utter mistake to imagine that uneducated and illiterate men and women prefer
to be spoken to in an illiterate way, and by an uneducated person. ...
/.../chapter iii eccles 12 12 simplicity.htm

No Difference
... All men, be they kings or beggars, civilised or savage, rich or poor, wise or foolish,
cultured or illiterate, breathe the same breath, hunger and thirst, eat ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/no difference.htm

The Evidences of Christianity Briefly Stated, and the New ...
... As that illiterate man whose eyes were miraculously opened by Christ, when he was
questioned by the Jewish Sanhedrin, who endeavoured with all their sophistry ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity briefly.htm

Of the Sacraments.
... As its brevity makes it somewhat obscure, and thereby misleads the more illiterate,
I wished to remove all doubt, and make the definition fuller by stating it ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

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

Unlearned (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not learned; untaught; uneducated; ignorant;
illiterate. 2. (a.) Not gained by study; not known. ...
/u/unlearned.htm - 9k

Untrained (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered
that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were ...
/u/untrained.htm - 7k

Outspoken (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered
that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were ...
/o/outspoken.htm - 7k

Ill-natured (3 Occurrences)
Ill-natured. Illiterate, Ill-natured. Illness . Noah Webster's Dictionary ... (See
RSV). Illiterate, Ill-natured. Illness . Reference Bible.
/i/ill-natured.htm - 7k

Ignorance (27 Occurrences)
... 11:6); agrammatos, once only in connection with idiotes (Acts 4:13, "unlearned and
ignorant men"); agrammatos corresponds to modern "illiterate" (compare John 7 ...
/i/ignorance.htm - 21k

Illicitly (1 Occurrence)

/i/illicitly.htm - 6k

Fearlessly (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered
that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were ...
/f/fearlessly.htm - 9k

Discovered (46 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered
that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were ...
/d/discovered.htm - 21k

Schools (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered
that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were ...
/s/schools.htm - 7k

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