the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Simplicity
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or SIMPLICITY
1 . In the OT ‘simple’ is, with one exception, the translation of a word ( pÄ•thî ), whose root-idea is ‘openness.’ Openness of mind is praiseworthy when it implies willingness to receive instruction; it becomes blameworthy when it connotes a disposition equally receptive of good and of evil, or an incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong. In Proverbs ‘the simple’ are represented as needing ‘prudence’ ( Proverbs 1:4 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ), and they are exhorted to ‘understand prudence’ ( Proverbs 8:5 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ). In Proverbs 14:15; Proverbs 14:18 ‘the prudent’ are favourably contrasted with ‘the simple’ who ‘believe every word,’ and therefore ‘inherit folly.’ It is ‘the testimony of the Lord’ that makes the simple wise ( Psalms 19:7; cf. Psalms 119:130 ). In 2 Samuel 15:11 ‘simplicity’ means ‘integrity’ ( tôm ). In the LXX [Note: Septuagint.] the Heb. word ( yôsher ) for ‘straightness’ or ‘uprightness’ is translated by the NT equivalent of ‘simplicity’ ( haplotçs ).
2 . In the NT ‘simple’ ( akeraios = Lat. integer ) is used twice ( Matthew 10:16 RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] , Romans 16:19 ) to describe the character in which there is ‘no foreign admixture’; the RV [Note: Revised Version.] retains ‘simplicity’ as the rendering of haplotçs only in 2 Corinthians 11:3 , where it denotes those in whose character there are ‘no folds,’ who are whole-hearted in their devotion to Christ (Trench, NT Synonyms , § lvi.). The Christian ideal is ‘simplicity toward Christ’ ( 2 Corinthians 11:3 ). In the life of His loyal disciples dove-like simplicity is blended with the wisdom of the serpent ( Matthew 10:16 ). Their ‘eye’ being ‘single’ ( haplous ), their ‘whole body’ is ‘full of light’ ( Matthew 6:22 ). Christ Jesus being made unto them ‘wisdom from God’ ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ), they are no longer beguiled like Eve, but are ‘wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil’ ( Romans 16:19 ).
J. G. Tasker.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Simplicity'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/s/simplicity.html. 1909.
