Subtilty, often spelled as "subtlety," is a term that appears in the Bible to describe a quality of being cunning, crafty, or shrewd. It is a characteristic that can be used for both good and evil, depending on the context and the intentions of the individual exhibiting it. In the Scriptures, subtilty is often associated with deception and trickery, particularly when used by those who oppose God's will.

Old Testament References

The concept of subtilty is introduced early in the Bible, most notably in the account of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1 states, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." Here, the serpent's subtilty is linked to its ability to deceive Eve, leading to the fall of man. This passage sets a precedent for understanding subtilty as a tool of deception used by those who seek to undermine God's commands.

In Proverbs, subtilty is mentioned in a more neutral or even positive light. Proverbs 1:4 speaks of wisdom imparting "prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young." The Hebrew word translated as "prudence" can also be understood as subtilty, suggesting that a certain level of shrewdness is necessary for navigating life's challenges wisely. This indicates that subtilty, when aligned with wisdom and righteousness, can be a beneficial trait.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, subtilty is often associated with the deceitful practices of those who oppose the Gospel. In Acts 13:10 , the apostle Paul confronts Elymas the sorcerer, saying, "You son of the devil, full of every kind of deceit and trickery, enemy of all righteousness, will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?" Here, subtilty is condemned as a tool of the enemy, used to distort the truth and lead people away from the path of righteousness.

The apostle Paul also warns against the subtilty of false teachers in 2 Corinthians 11:3 , where he expresses concern that "just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ." This passage highlights the ongoing danger of subtilty when used to corrupt the faith and lead believers astray.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, subtilty is a double-edged sword. It can be a manifestation of wisdom and discernment when used in accordance with God's will, as seen in the prudent actions of the wise. However, when employed with malicious intent, it becomes a tool of deception and sin, as exemplified by the serpent and false teachers. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment, using subtilty for righteous purposes while remaining vigilant against its potential for misuse.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). This balance requires believers to cultivate a godly form of subtilty—one that is marked by wisdom, prudence, and integrity. By doing so, they can navigate the complexities of life effectively while remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ. At the same time, they must be wary of those who use subtilty to deceive and lead others away from the truth, always testing teachings and actions against the Word of God.1. (n.) The quality or state of being subtle; thinness; fineness; as, the subtlety of air or light.

2. (n.) Refinement; extreme acuteness; subtlety.

3. (n.) Cunning; skill; craft.

4. (n.) Slyness in design; artifice; guile; a cunning design or artifice; a trick; subtlety.

SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY

sub'-til, sut'-'-l, sut'-'-l-ti (chakham, nakhal, mirmah; dolos): These words are used

(1) in a good sense: 2 Samuel 13:3, chakham, "wise," "Jonadab was a very subtle (the American Standard Revised Version "subtle") man" (discreet); Proverbs 1:4, `ormah, "prudence," "to give subtlety to the simple," the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version margin "prudence"; The Wisdom of Solomon 7:22, leptos, "thin," said of the spirit in Wisdom (very fine or refined); 8:8, strophe, "winding," "subtilties of speeches"; Ecclesiasticus 39:2, "subtil parables," the Revised Version (British and American) "the subtleties of parables";

(2) in a bad sense: Genesis 3:1, `arum, "crafty," "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field," the American Standard Revised Version "subtle."

Genesis 27:35, mirmah, "deceit," "fraud," "Thy brother came with subtlety," the Revised Version (British and American) "with guile"; Psalm 105:25, nakhal, "to deceive," the King James Version "deal subtlely," the American Standard Revised Version "subtly"; Proverbs 7:10, natsar, "to watch," "guard," "to be hidden or subtle of heart," the Revised Version (British and American) "wily," margin " `close,' Hebrew `guarded' "; 2 Kings 10:19, `oqebhah, "deceit" or "treachery" (here only); Judith 5:11, katasophizo, "to use subtlety"; Ecclesiasticus 19:25, panourgia, "cunning," "unscrupulousness," "There is an exquisite subtlety, and the same is unjust"; 2 Corinthians 11:3, "The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety," the Revised Version (British and American) "in his craftiness"; Matthew 26:4, dolos, "deceit," "that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him"; Acts 13:10, "O full of all subtlety and all mischief," the Revised Version (British and American) "all guile and all villany."

English Revised Version has "subtilty" for "wisdom" (Proverbs 8:5, 12), margin and the American Standard Revised Version, "prudence"; for "with subtlety" (the English Revised Version Mark 14:1, the King James Version "by craft") the American Standard Revised Version has "with subtlety."

W. L. Walker

1388. dolos -- a bait, fig. craft, deceit
... Word Origin from the root del- Definition a bait, fig. craft, deceit NASB Word
Usage deceit (9), stealth (2). craft, deceit, guile, subtilty. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1388.htm - 7k

3834. panourgia -- cleverness, craftiness
... cunning, craftiness, subtilty. From panougos; adroitness, ie (in a bad sense) trickery
or sophistry -- (cunning) craftiness, subtilty. see GREEK panougos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3834.htm - 7k

6122. oqbah -- insidiousness
... subtilty. Feminine of an unused form from aqab meaning a trick; trickery -- subtilty.
see HEBREW aqab. 6121b, 6122. oqbah. 6123 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6122.htm - 6k

6195. ormah -- craftiness, prudence
... guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. Feminine of orem; trickery; or (in a
good sense) discretion -- guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. ...
/hebrew/6195.htm - 6k

Wisdom and the Strange Woman
... Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of men. O ye simple, understand
subtilty; And ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii wisdom and the strange.htm

What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
... are some who, not liking to be thought dull, busy themselves often more than needs
in various investigations, and by reason of too great subtilty are deceived. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi what manner of.htm

John Chapter ii. 4-Jan
... you to one husband, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ." Why does he fear
lest the virginity of Christ's bride should be corrupted by the subtilty of the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate viii john chapter ii.htm

Prefatory Remarks on the Need of Exact Investigation of the Most ...
... If any one laughs when he sees our subtilty, to use the Psalmist's [711] words,
about syllables, let him know that he reaps laughter's fruitless fruit; and let ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter i prefatory remarks on.htm

Sermon for Epiphany
... Now men receive this bitter myrrh in two ways; they try to meet it as with
their practical sense or with their intellectual subtilty. ...
/.../v sermon for epiphany.htm

Though in Almost Every Age There have Indeed Been in the Heathen ...
... The doctrine of far the greatest part of the philosophers consisted plainly in nothing
but words, and subtilty, and strife, and empty contention; as did not at ...
/.../vi proposition vi though in.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... His "Ductor Dubitantium," dedicated to Charles II, is a work of subtilty and ingenuity;
his "Holy Living" and "Holy Dying" (1652), are unique monuments of ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

Natural Law in the Spiritual World
... Its speculative subtilty is unequalled by its extensive range of scientific knowledge,
and all is permeated by the force and validity of the religious ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/natural law in the spiritual.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... He has been compared with Bossuet, tho he never attained the graceful style and
subtilty which characterize the "Eagle of Meaux." The story is told of the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

The Introduction, and Exhortation to Demetrianus.
... He employs all these things which are able to entice as snares, and with such subtilty
that they escape the notice of the eyes of the mind, so that they cannot ...
/.../on the workmanship of god/chap i the introduction and exhortation.htm

Subtilty (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub ...
Multi-Version Concordance Subtilty (9 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/s/subtilty.htm - 12k

Subtle (5 Occurrences)
... apprehension; elusive. 4. (superl.) Smooth and deceptive. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub'-til ...
/s/subtle.htm - 11k

Subtil (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY.
sub'-til, sut'-'-l, sut'-'-l-ti (chakham, nakhal, mirmah; dolos ...
/s/subtil.htm - 10k

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)
... discrimination. 3. (n.) Something that is sly, crafty, or delusive. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub ...
/s/subtlety.htm - 10k

Guile (21 Occurrences)
... "Guile" does not appear in Apocrypha; dolos is frequently rendered "deceit." The
Revised Version (British and American) has "guile" for "subtilty" (Genesis 27 ...
/g/guile.htm - 15k

Worshipers (12 Occurrences)
... shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might
destroy the worshipers of Baal. (WBS NAS RSV). 2 Kings 10 ...
/w/worshipers.htm - 10k

Wrestling (8 Occurrences)
... with him; (YLT). Job 5:13 Capturing the wise in their subtilty, And the
counsel of wrestling ones was hastened, (YLT). Ezekiel 9:9 ...
/w/wrestling.htm - 9k

Feign (11 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 and they work, even they, with subtilty, and go, and feign to be ambassadors,
and take old sacks for their asses, and wine-bottles, old, and rent ...
/f/feign.htm - 12k

Mischief (64 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the
devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the ...
/m/mischief.htm - 26k

Presume (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:14 And when a man doth presume against his neighbour to slay him with
subtilty, from Mine altar thou dost take him to die. (YLT). ...
/p/presume.htm - 11k

What is guile in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Subtilty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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