μωρία
mōria
foolishness
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word μωρία (mōria) is defined as "foolishness." It falls within the semantic domain of Cognition & Perception, indicating that it relates to the way people think, perceive, and understand the world. This word is used five times in the Bible, suggesting its importance in conveying a particular idea or concept. In terms of usage, μωρία is likely used to describe a state of mind or behavior that is characterized by a lack of good judgment, wisdom, or common sense. It may imply a kind of foolish or absurd behavior that is not necessarily malicious, but rather a result of a flawed perception or understanding of reality. The fact that it is used in various contexts suggests that it can be applied to different situations, from personal relationships to broader societal issues. The significance of μωρία lies in its ability to highlight the importance of wisdom, discernment, and good judgment in navigating life's challenges. By using this word, the biblical authors may be encouraging readers to reflect on their own thought patterns and behaviors, and to strive for a more nuanced and wise understanding of the world around them.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences across the text
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
1 Corinthians 2:14Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”