Definition and Scope:
In biblical terms, "understanding" refers to the ability to comprehend, discern, and apply knowledge and wisdom in accordance with God's will. It is often associated with insight, perception, and the capacity to grasp spiritual truths. Understanding is considered a gift from God, enabling believers to live righteously and make decisions that align with divine principles.

Old Testament References:
The Old Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of understanding as a divine gift. In Proverbs, understanding is closely linked with wisdom and is portrayed as essential for a godly life. Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse highlights that true understanding originates from God and is imparted to those who seek Him.

In the book of Job, understanding is depicted as a profound and elusive quality. Job 28:28 declares, "And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’" Here, understanding is equated with moral discernment and the rejection of evil, underscoring its ethical dimension.

New Testament References:
The New Testament continues to underscore the significance of understanding, particularly in the context of spiritual insight and discernment. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , the Apostle Paul prays for the believers, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."

Understanding is also linked to the teachings of Jesus. In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that understanding the word of God is crucial for it to bear fruit in one's life. Matthew 13:23 states, "But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold."

The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in imparting understanding to believers. 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." The Holy Spirit enlightens the minds of believers, helping them to comprehend spiritual truths and apply them in their lives.

Practical Application:
Understanding is not merely an intellectual exercise but involves the application of God's truth in daily living. James 1:5 encourages believers to seek understanding through prayer: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse underscores the accessibility of divine understanding to those who earnestly seek it.

Conclusion:
Understanding, as presented in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual discernment. It is a divine gift that enables believers to navigate life in accordance with God's will, leading to righteous living and spiritual growth.

What Shall we Render unto God for this Infinite Space in Our ...
... THE SECOND CENTURY 82 What shall we render unto God for this infinite space
in our understandings? Since in giving us this He hath ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/82 what shall we render.htm

On the World and the Movements of Rational Creatures, Whether Good ...
... so great a number of rational or intellectual creatures (or by whatever name they
are to be called), which we have formerly termed understandings, as He ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter ix on the world and.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... It is true, their understandings will be much cleared by the ceasing of former
temptations, and experiencing the falsehood of former delusions but they have ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

That the Holy Light of Glory Will Serve for the Union of the ...
... Yet there is a difference between the rays which the sun casts upon our corporal
eyes and the light which God will create in our understandings in heaven: for ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv that the holy.htm

'Salt in Yourselves'
... to bring all these into one focus, viz., that the Spirit of God cleanses us by bringing
the truth concerning Christ to bear on our understandings and hearts. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/salt in yourselves.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... could not be gods at all, because they could neither see nor hear, and you have
smiled contemptuously at the men who could so debase their understandings as to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/god the all-seeing one.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... could not be gods at all, because they could neither see nor hear, and you have
smiled contemptuously at the men who could so debase their understandings as to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/god the all-seeing one.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... But, as we must deny ourselves in our understandings, so must we deny, or, as it
might be more properly rendered, renounce our wills; that is, we must make our ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if
sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened our hearts! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

Continual Union in Spirit with God the End of Man's Creation...
... So that having lost that divine light, by which their understandings had been
illustrated, and that divine love by which their wills and affections adhered ...
/.../chapter i continual union in.htm

Understandings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Understandings (2 Occurrences). Ephesians 4:18 with
darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance ...
/u/understandings.htm - 7k

Understanding's (1 Occurrence)

/u/understanding's.htm - 6k

Insensibility (1 Occurrence)
... Ephesians 4:18 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which
is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no ...
/i/insensibility.htm - 7k

Deep-seated (2 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:18 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which
is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no ...
/d/deep-seated.htm - 7k

Moral (5 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:18 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which
is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no ...
/m/moral.htm - 9k

Establish (133 Occurrences)
... which I will establish towards them after those days, saith the Lord: Giving my
laws into their hearts, I will write them also in their understandings; (DBY). ...
/e/establish.htm - 39k

Share (138 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:18 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which
is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no ...
/s/share.htm - 37k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)

/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Nature (80 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:18 with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which
is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no ...
/n/nature.htm - 35k

What are the seven pillars of wisdom in Proverbs 9:1? | GotQuestions.org

What is sanctifying grace? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be spiritual? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus