Mind
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Mind in the Bible?
Biblical Hebrew and Greek terminology for 'mind' encompasses intellect, will, and emotional disposition rather than a strictly rational faculty. In Pauline literature, the 'mind' denotes the governing center of human personality, highlighting the tension between sinful inclinations and spiritual renewal.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the mind as the seat of moral choice and spiritual alignment clarifies the biblical emphasis on renewing one's thinking to achieve ethical transformation and alignment with divine will.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Mind. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Mind in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Mind clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Mind." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/mind/