Rom. 8:1-8, The Godly Mindset (phroneo family)

Here are three terms related to the previous post.  Again, the concern is with the mind, but not with just knowledge or doctrine.  It is knowledge being lived out in our lives.  These involve some very important passages for Christians.  And in the third one, you will see “wisdom,” which is often defined as “street knowledge” or “truth worked out in lifestyle.”  You may remember the NT uses “sophia” for the wisdom of God or of “wise men.”  But none of these terms refer to God’s wisdom.  We naturally have a “way of thinking.”  When we are born again, we receive truth in place of the lie and our mindset must be changed.

phronema (neuter noun): way of thinking

·       Rom  8:6ab,7: mind set on flesh is death; mind set on Spirit is life & peace; mind set on flesh is hostile to God, not subject to God's law, can't be subject

·       Rom 8:27: he who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit.

phronesis (feminine noun): way of thinking; insight, understanding

·       Lk.1:17: the mission of John the Baptist included turning the disobedient to the "wisdom" (way of thinking) of the just or righteous

·       Eph1:8: in all wisdom (sofia) & insight he made known mystery of will. Of these two terms, we can distinguish sophia as being the broad understanding of the mystery of God, from phronesis as seeing how the mystery of God affects our everyday living.

phronimos (adjective: sensible, thoughtful, prudent, wise)

·       Mt 7:24: those who hear Christ’s words and do them are likened to wise man

·       Mt 10:16: we need to be wise as serpents

·       Mt 24:45: who is faithful & wise servant (Lk.12:42)

·       Mt 25:2,4,8,9: story of 5 foolish & 5 wise virgins

·       Lk 16:8: children of the world are more wise than us in dealing w/their own kind

·       Rm11:25: don't be ignorant (lack of knowledge, missing the facts) of Israels blinding or you'll be wise in own conceit.  In other words, do I see things as God sees them.  If not, I am on my own!

·       Rom 12:16: don't be wise in your own conceits

·       1Co 4:10: we are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ

·       1 Cor 10:15: I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say