The term "intelligible" refers to that which can be understood or comprehended. In the context of the Bible, intelligibility is often associated with the clarity and understanding of God's Word, the communication of spiritual truths, and the edification of the church through clear teaching and prophecy.

Biblical Context

1. Clarity in Communication: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of intelligibility in the context of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:9, Paul states, "So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air." Here, Paul underscores the necessity of clear communication within the church so that all may be edified and understand the message being conveyed.

2. Prophecy and Edification: In the same chapter, Paul contrasts speaking in tongues with prophecy, highlighting that prophecy is more beneficial for the church because it is intelligible and thus edifies the congregation. 1 Corinthians 14:19 says, "But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." This passage illustrates the priority of understanding and instruction over mere spiritual display.

3. The Role of Interpretation: When discussing the gift of tongues, Paul also mentions the necessity of interpretation to make the message intelligible to the listeners. In 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, he advises, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God." This instruction ensures that the church service remains orderly and that all present can understand and benefit from the message.

4. The Word of God: The Bible itself is presented as the intelligible revelation of God to humanity. Psalm 119:130 states, "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." This verse highlights the clarity and accessibility of God's Word, which is intended to enlighten and instruct believers.

5. Jesus Christ as the Logos: In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "Logos" or "Word" (John 1:1), signifying the ultimate expression and communication of God to humanity. Jesus' teachings were often delivered in parables and straightforward messages that were meant to be understood by His audience, though sometimes requiring spiritual insight for deeper comprehension.

Theological Implications

The concept of intelligibility in the Bible underscores the importance of clear and understandable communication of God's truths. It reflects the desire for believers to grow in knowledge and faith through teachings that are accessible and comprehensible. This principle is foundational for preaching, teaching, and the use of spiritual gifts within the church, ensuring that all members are edified and equipped for service.(a.) Capable of being understood or comprehended; as, intelligible pronunciation, writing.2154. eusemos -- clear
... clear. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eusemos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-say-mos) Short Definition: with clear meaning, intelligible Definition: with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2154.htm - 6k

Whether the Intelligible Species are Derived by the Soul from ...
... HOW THE SOUL WHILE UNITED TO THE BODY UNDERSTANDS CORPOREAL THINGS BENEATH IT (EIGHT
ARTICLES) Whether the intelligible species are derived by the soul from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intelligible species are.htm

Whether the Intelligible Species Abstracted from the Phantasm is ...
... OF THE MODE AND ORDER OF UNDERSTANDING (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the intelligible
species abstracted from the phantasm is related to our intellect as that which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intelligible species abstracted.htm

Whether the Intellect Can Actually Understand through the ...
... UNITED TO THE BODY UNDERSTANDS CORPOREAL THINGS BENEATH IT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
the intellect can actually understand through the intelligible species of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intellect can actually.htm

That the Pre-Eminent Cause of Every Object of Intelligible ...
... MYSTIC THEOLOGY. CAPUT V. That the pre-eminent Cause of every object of intelligible
perception is none of the objects of intelligible perception. ...
/.../dionysius/mystic theology/caput v that the pre-eminent.htm

Simon's Forced Interpretation of Scripture; Plagiarizes from ...
... Chapter IV."Simon's Forced Interpretation of Scripture; Plagiarizes from Heraclitus
and Aristotle; Simon's System of Sensible and Intelligible Existences. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iv simons forced interpretation of.htm

Let Heretics Maintain their Claims by a Definite and Intelligible ...
... Chapter XXXV."Let Heretics Maintain Their Claims by a Definite and Intelligible
Evidence This the Only Method of Solving Their Questions. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xxxv let heretics maintain their.htm

That the Jews Would not Understand the Holy Scriptures, but that ...
... First Book. 4. That the Jews would not understand the Holy Scriptures, but that
they would be intelligible in the last times, after that Christ had come. ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/4 that the jews would.htm

Whether God Understands Himself?
... Hence the Philosopher says (De Anima iii) that "the sensible in act is sense in
act, and the intelligible in act is intellect in act." For the reason why we ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god understands himself.htm

Whether an Angel Can Understand Many Things at the Same Time?
... Objection 2: Further, nothing is understood unless the intellect be informed by
an intelligible species; just at the body is formed by shape. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an angel can understand.htm

Whether There is an Active Intellect?
... Objection 1: It would seem that there is no active intellect. For as the senses
are to things sensible, so is our intellect to things intelligible. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is an active 2.htm

Intelligible (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Capable of being understood or comprehended; as,
intelligible pronunciation, writing. ...Intelligible (3 Occurrences). ...
/i/intelligible.htm - 7k

Asahel (17 Occurrences)
... Coming from an annotator, the criticism regards this meaning as intelligible;
is it any the less so if we regard it as coming from the author? ...
/a/asahel.htm - 16k

Anthropomorphism
... to Deity physical characters, mental and moral attributes, like those of man, merely
means to make the Divine nature and operations intelligible, not to ...
/a/anthropomorphism.htm - 20k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... themselves. We are far from claiming that the titles are always intelligible
to us, or that, when understood, they are always correct. ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Joel (22 Occurrences)
... And then the transition to Joel 1:8 becomes intelligible, in which certainly the
land is personified as a female: "Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth ...
/j/joel.htm - 49k

Vessel (118 Occurrences)
... But in 1 Samuel 21:8, in the immediate context of the verse above, keli certainly
means "weapons," and this translation is quite intelligible in 21:5 also. ...
/v/vessel.htm - 40k

Namely (81 Occurrences)
... 20 For, from the very creation of the world, His invisible perfections--namely His
eternal power and divine nature--have been rendered intelligible and clearly ...
/n/namely.htm - 31k

Nonsense (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which is not sense, or has no sense; words, or language, which have
no meaning, or which convey no intelligible ideas; absurdity. ...
/n/nonsense.htm - 7k

Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... 6. (v.) To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide;
to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or ...
/o/obscure.htm - 9k

Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... (5) In 1 Corinthians 14:16, "occupy," the King James Version rendering of anapleroun,
would still be as intelligible to most as the Revised Version (British ...
/o/occupy.htm - 16k

What is the gift of speaking in tongues? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues? | GotQuestions.org

Why are there so many different Christian interpretations? | GotQuestions.org

Intelligible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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