Definition and Overview:
Intention, in a biblical context, refers to the purpose or plan behind an action or thought. It is the motivation or reason that drives an individual's actions, often reflecting the state of the heart and mind. In Scripture, intention is closely linked to the concepts of will, desire, and purpose, and it is a critical aspect of moral and spiritual evaluation.

Biblical References:

1. Heart and Intention:
The Bible frequently associates intention with the heart, emphasizing that God examines the heart to discern true intentions. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This verse highlights that God values the inner intentions over external appearances.

2. Intention and Action:
Jesus teaches about the importance of intention in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:28, He states, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Here, Jesus emphasizes that sinful intentions are equivalent to sinful actions in the eyes of God, underscoring the significance of pure intentions.

3. Intention in Prayer:
The intention behind prayer is also a key theme in Scripture. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus instructs, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This passage highlights the importance of sincere intentions in prayer, rather than seeking human approval.

4. Intention and Giving:
The Apostle Paul addresses the intention behind giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This verse underscores that the intention behind giving should be voluntary and joyful, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes.

5. Intention and Judgment:
The Bible warns against judging others' intentions, as only God can truly know the heart. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul advises, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." This passage reminds believers to refrain from assuming the intentions of others, leaving judgment to God.

Theological Implications:
Intention is a crucial aspect of Christian ethics and spirituality. It reflects the inner disposition and alignment of one's heart with God's will. The Bible teaches that God values the purity and sincerity of intentions, and believers are called to cultivate intentions that honor Him. This involves a continual process of self-examination, repentance, and seeking alignment with God's purposes through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to examine their intentions regularly, ensuring that their actions are motivated by love, faith, and a desire to glorify God. This involves prayerful reflection, seeking God's wisdom, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform the heart. By aligning intentions with God's will, believers can live lives that are pleasing to Him and reflect His character to the world.1. (n.) A determination to do a certain thing; purpose; design; as, an intention to go to New York.

2. (n.) A stretching or bending of the mind toward of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.

3. (n.) The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.

4. (n.) The state of being strained. See Intension.

5. (n.) Any mental apprehension of an object.

2588. kardia -- heart
... heart. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kardia Phonetic Spelling:
(kar-dee'-ah) Short Definition: the heart, inner life, intention Definition: lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2588.htm - 7k

1963. epinoia -- a thought, design
... builds "). Word Origin from epi and nous Definition a thought, design NASB
Word Usage intention (1). thought, intention. From epi ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1963.htm - 7k

1771. ennoia -- thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding
... understanding. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ennoia Phonetic Spelling:
(en'-noy-ah) Short Definition: thought, intention, purpose Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1771.htm - 7k

1106. gnome -- purpose, opinion, consent, decision
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gnome Phonetic Spelling: (gno'-may)
Short Definition: opinion, counsel, judgment, intention Definition: opinion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1106.htm - 7k

5495. cheir -- the hand
... 5495 -- properly, ; (figuratively) the instrument a person uses to accomplish
their purpose (intention, plan). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5495.htm - 7k

2107. eudokia -- good pleasure
... Word Origin from eudokeo Definition good pleasure NASB Word Usage desire (2), good
pleasure (1), good will (1), kind intention (2), pleased (1), well-pleasing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2107.htm - 7k

1014. boulomai -- to will
... See 1012 (). 1014 (" plan") is a strong term that underlines the predetermined
(and determined) intention driving the planning (wishing, resolving). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1014.htm - 9k

210. akon -- unwilling
... [210 () describes someone who does share the same mind (view), ie is of the same
will (intention).]. Word Origin contr. of alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/210.htm - 7k

4286. prothesis -- a setting forth, ie fig. proposal, spec. the ...
... From protithemai; a setting forth, ie (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially,
the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God -- purpose, shew ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4286.htm - 7k

1394. dosis -- the act of giving, a gift
... 1394 (from 1325 , "give") -- gift, emphasizing the intention (aim) that motivates
the giving and the chain-reaction of giving-and-responding. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1394.htm - 6k

4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... Or machashebeth {makh-ash-eh'-beth}; from chashab; a contrivance, ie (concretely)
a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k

Whether Intention is an Act of the Intellect or of the Will?
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether intention is an act of the intellect or
of the will? ... Dom. in Monte ii, 13) the eye signifies intention. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether intention is an act.htm

Whether the Intention of Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism is ...
... OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the intention of receiving
the sacrament of Baptism is required on the part of the one baptized? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intention of receiving.htm

Of Intention (Five Articles)
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES). We must now consider Intention: concerning which
there are five points of inquiry: (1) Whether intention ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of intention five articles .htm

Whether the Minister's Intention is Required for the Validity of a ...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE SACRAMENTS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether the minister's intention
is required for the validity of a sacrament? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ministers intention is.htm

Whether Intention of the End is the Same Act as the Volition of ...
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether intention of the end is the same act
as the volition of the means? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intention of the end.htm

Whether Intention is Only of the Last End?
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether intention is only of the last end? Objection
1: It would seem that intention is only of the last end. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intention is only of.htm

The Divine Intention. November 4.
... The Divine Intention. November 4. I am superstitious enough, thank God,
to believe that not a stone or a handful of mud gravitates ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the divine intention november 4.htm

Whether Intention is Within the Competency of Irrational Animals?
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether intention is within the competency of
irrational animals? Objection 1: It would seem that irrational ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether intention is within the.htm

Simon's Intention.
... Homily III. Chapter X."Simon's Intention. "Therefore Simon, who is going
to discuss in public with us to-morrow, is bold against ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter x simons intention.htm

Whether the Validity of a Sacrament Requires a Good Intention in ...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE SACRAMENTS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether the validity of a sacrament
requires a good intention in the minister? Objection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the validity of a.htm

Intention (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A determination to do a certain thing; purpose;
design; as, an intention to go to New York. ...Intention (10 Occurrences). ...
/i/intention.htm - 9k

Design (84 Occurrences)
... the mind of something to be done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be expressed
in a visible form or carried into action; intention; purpose; -- often ...
/d/design.htm - 33k

Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... first and second visits). But the passages referred to only indicate Paul's
intention to visit Corinth (Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:5 ...
/c/corinth.htm - 21k

Intent (37 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose;
intention; meaning; drift; aim. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/i/intent.htm - 20k

Lie (291 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional
violation of truth; an untruth spoken with the intention to deceive. ...
/l/lie.htm - 48k

Intentional (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Done by intention or design; intended; designed;
as, the act was intentional, not accidental. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/intentional.htm - 7k

Import (2 Occurrences)
... We import teas from China, coffee from Brazil, etc. 2. (vt) To carry or
include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify. ...
/i/import.htm - 7k

Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:7), in all which places it seems to carry the meaning
of simplicity, or sincerity of heart and intention, truthfulness, uprightness. ...
/i/integrity.htm - 22k

Malice (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any wicked or mischievous intention of the mind; a depraved inclination
to mischief; an intention to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or to do a ...
/m/malice.htm - 15k

Mean (93 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention,
etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do ? ...
/m/mean.htm - 40k

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