[Greek] μωρός (mōros), [Latin] fatuus, [Latin] stultus, [Latin] imprudens, [Latin] stupidus: dull, insipid, foolish, stupid, unwise, dull-witted; Mt.5:22, Mt.7:26, Mt.23:17,19, Mt.25:2,3,8, 1Cor.1:25,27, 1Cor.3:18, 1Cor.4:10, 2Tim.2:23, Tit.3:9
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means dull, sluggish (of the nerves), stupid, folly, foolish, and insipid (flat taste). Regarding the intellect, this term can refer to dullness, lack of judgment, and a deficiency of intellectual or spiritual capacity. In medicine, this term refers to slackness, fatigue or dulling of the nerves. In hibernation, animals act sluggishly in winter.
Folly: This notion of folly can be a subjective judgment, lack of understanding (ignorance), condemnation, naivety, confusion, and impulsiveness. Sometimes folly can be perceived as being controlled by an outside force or power (beyond one’s understanding). Folly is a fate and an expression of arrogance against the unfortunate. Foolishness, irrationality, and impulsive actions (as a result of folly) occur in all aspects of life. Sophocles’ Ajax 594 states “You have foolish hope, I think, if you plan so late to begin schooling my temper.” Sophocles’ Electra 889 states “Now, for the gods’ love, listen so that you may know the rest from me before deciding whether I am sane or foolish.” Demosthenes’ Phillipica 3 states “But you have reached such a height of folly or madness. I know not what to call it that some demon is driving you to your doom.” Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 540 states “Is your attempt not foolish, to seek the throne without followers or friends—a prize which follows and wealth must win?” Sophocles’ Antigone 469 states “And if my present actions are foolish in your sight, it may be that it is a fool who accuses me of folly.”
Old Testament: This term means foolish, arrogant, senseless, stupid, quarrelsome, and wicked. This term occurs frequently in Sirach. Foolishness (and wickedness) can ruin and destroy one’s relationship with God. Foolishness and folly include leading others astray, breaking fellowship with God, apostasy, eyes not seeing, ears not hearing, arrogance, religious indifference, and lack of intellectual understanding. The Hellenistic philosopher Philo criticizes man’s worldly wisdom. God regards man as childish, immature, stupid, and irrational.
New Testament: This term means being foolish, foolishness, simplemindedness, and God’s ‘foolishness’ (wisdom). Jesus states that those who listen to His words (but who do not act on them) will be like a fool building his house on sand. Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees as being blind fools for their faulty and inconsistent oaths. The ‘foolishness’ of God is wiser than any human wisdom. The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s eyes. Likewise, God chooses the simple and foolish of the world to shame the wise and strong. The foolish virgins do not have oil for their lamps. Paul states that Christians are fools on Christ’s account but are wise in Christ. Those who follow the foolishness of Christ ultimately find the true wisdom of hope in the Spirit. Foolish words and quarrels can lead to serious consequences.
Scripture:
“And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.” Mt.7:26
The relationship between hearing and doing applies to every Christian. This parable helps to ascertain wise and foolish behavior. This also reinforces the need for works and not just faith.
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1Cor.1:25
Wisdom and power are found to be paradoxical in the relationship with God and man. The folly of the cross is a foolish act contrary to all human reasoning. Likewise, God uses the simpleminded and weak to shame the wise and strong.
“Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels.” 2Tim.2:23
Foolish actions and words can lead to quarrels and very serious consequences. Judaism states the serious of an injury by words.
Etymology: Fatuous means foolish and stupid but self-satisfied. Infatuation comes from the Latin verb infatuare, meaning to make stupid (harsh but can be so true!). Stultify and stultification come from the Latin verb stultificare, meaning to turn into foolishness. Imprudent means not foreseeing or being unaware. Stupid comes from the Latin verb stupere, meaning to be stunned, amazed, or confounded.
Pick any contentious political issue:
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to believe what is true.” Soren Kierkegaard
Conclusion:
Moron, moronic, imprudent, stupid, stupidity, infatuation
This is a very interesting term with multiple meanings in various disciplines. These meanings are derived from the perceived observation of others. In the Greco Hellenistic era, fate play a significant role in influencing and guiding others’ lives. Fate could potentially lead one to destruction. Moros was the good of impending doom.
In the Old Testament, foolishness (and wickedness) take on a more serious nature in potentially ruining or destroying one’s relationship with God. Such foolishness can lead to serious consequences. This culture develops the notion of God’s wisdom (actions) surpassing all human reason.
In the New Testament, there are numerous examples illustrating the foolishness of man. A parable illustrates the importance of acting on what one hears. To do otherwise is to build a foundation on sand. This requires works and not just faith. Paul repeatedly illustrates that God’s foolishness surpasses all human reason. God uses the simple and foolish to shame the wise and strong. Foolish words spoken can potentially cause great injury or harm.
Interestingly, Jesus refers to His disciples as the salt of the earth (Mt.5:13). Like useless salt losing its flavor, we too can lose our flavor (becoming tasteless, dull, bland, and becoming stupid!) in becoming disciples.
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1Cor.1:18
It would be foolish to believe otherwise.