[Greek] κατανοέω (katanoeō), [Latin] videre, [Latin] considerare, [German] sehen, [French] voir, [French] examiner: to consider carefully, to be concerned about, to fully observe, to perceive, to discern, to understand completely, to notice; Mt.7:3, Lk.6:41, Lk.12:24,27, Lk.20:23, Acts 7:31-32, Acts 11:6, Acts 27:39, Rom. 4:19, Heb.3:1, Heb.10:24, Jas.1:23-24
We all need to pray to change the hearts and minds of all those who refuse, ignore, or unaware of the spiritual and moral reality of abortion. Hopefully, more will understand and perceive that God is present in these circumstances.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to observe well, to understand, to grasp, to perceive, to learn, to consider, to learn, and to be in one’s right mind.
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.93.6: “Where these probably came from, I believe I can guess.”
Plato’s Sophist 233a: “I do not understand your question.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.28: “I thought he was joking when he said that he had exact knowledge, but that was his story.”
Lysias’ Defence Against a Charge of Subverting the Democracy 25.34: “As for us gentlemen, we consider that you are bound by your duty toward all the citizens to abide by your covenants and oaths.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 1.138: “He was at once the best judge in those sudden crises. He could also excellently divine the good and evil which lay hid in the unseen future.”
Old Testament: This term means to see, to scout, to distinguish, to understand, to discern, to observe, to perceive, to be prudent, and to be circumspect.
It is important to clearly understand the connection with God and the womb.
“The Word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you before you were born I dedicated you.” Jer.1:4-5
God already had dedicated Jeremiah (in the womb) to be a prophet before his birth.
“Before birth the Lord called me, from my mother’s womb He gave me my name.” Isa.49:1
God gave a pre-natal calling for the Servant of the Lord.
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” Psa.139:13
David speaks of God forming David in his mother’s womb
New Testament: This term means to give careful consideration, to be concerned about, to understand completely, and to notice. Jesus points out that while judging others, you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but you are unaware or not concerned about the beam in your own eye. Notice the raven; they do not sow or reap, yet God provides for them. Jesus recognizes the craftiness (deceit) of the scribes and chiefs as they try to trick Him about paying taxes to Caesar. Peter looked intently into the sheet in the sky. In their travels at sea, they discovered a bay. Abraham did not weaken in his faith when he looked at his old body. Anyone who is a hearer but not a doer of the Word is like a man who looks at himself in mirror. He goes off and promptly forgets what he looks like.
Scripture:
“He did not weaken in faith when he (Abraham) considered his own body as (already) dead (for he was almost a hundred years old) and the dead womb of Sarah.” Rom. 4:19
Abraham plainly sees the realities of his old and worn body, yet he remained faithful to God’s promise that Abraham would become father of all nations.
“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” Mt.7:3
This is a prohibition against judging others, lest you be judged by others. This implies a failure to see (blindness) in seeing one’s own faults. The scribes and Pharisees are called hypocrites who are concerned with other’s faults but ignore their own serious offenses.
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in the mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.” Jas.1:23-24
One who hears but does act on the Word deludes oneself. This person does not see himself clearly. Without embracing the Word of God, one cannot see clearly see his true character and nature.
Etymology: The Greek prefix (kata-) indicates an intensified from of knowing (-noeo). The Latin verb videre means to see. The visual component plays a large part in perceiving and understanding. The Latin verb considerare literally means to observe the stars (sidera) together (con-).
Conclusion:
Video, see, voyeur, consider, consideration, examination, exam
In Greek Hellenism, it is important to note that this term can also pertain to general observation and understanding doctrine.
I suppose guessing is perhaps a starting point of learning doctrines and truths.
Asking questions also can become the starting point for understanding.
Likewise, indifference and lack of interest may impede or prevent understanding.
We all often need to be reminded that the Supreme Court can only make their decisions based on the law, not on public issues or public opinion.
Leaders often succeed because they can divine the character of people and/or the mood of the nation.
In the Old Testament, scripture shows that God plays a very integral part in the development of a baby. God already knows an infant in the womb. And yet many of us do not realize this!
It is often so easy to criticize others when we should be looking at our own faults and weaknesses, when we have that beam in our eyes. This can become a from of spiritual or moral blindness.
Jesus also reminds us that we must have complete trust in God. (However, this is quite oftentimes easier said than done. Count me in this group!)
Abraham reminds us of the reality that our physical bodies eventually wear down.
The Word of God like a mirror, allowing us to see our character in the sight of God.
Many, occupying themselves in secular affairs and excluding God, also lose sight of themselves. They also forget themselves and often lack understanding and perspective.
Update: Politicians, who criticize others on the national level, quite often rightly receive criticism for their failing to address the needs of their own constituents (Speaker Pelosi, Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Newsom, etc.)
Many abortion supporters view abortion as only a women’s right or choice.
Many abortion supporters refuse to consider the sincerely held views of the pro-life supporters.
Many abortion supporters refuse, ignore, or are unable to acknowledge the spiritual or moral reality of abortion.
We must look at our bodies and acknowledge that God designed our bodies with complementarity for purposes of procreation. (Our bodies fit together for this purpose).
We must look and acknowledge that what grows in the womb is not a choice (or other entity), but the beginning of a life.
“Every aborted baby is like a slave in the womb of his or her mother.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“Abortion is profoundly anti-woman.” Mother Teresa
“Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love but to use violence to get what they want.” Mother Teresa
“A woman’s body is certainly her own responsibility. But the body inside her womb is another body. It is the body of another human being. And the tiny human being has every right to see where their life takes them.” Unknown
“If you must choose between me and the baby…Save the baby!” St. Gianna Molla
I think we all can acknowledge and perceive that our country has always been divided, opponents opposing and criticizing each other. In light of these recent Supreme Court rulings, there has become further division, disputes, and acrimony. It is plain to see that this opposition has often gravitated to speaking against, talking back, refusing to believe, disputing, and refusing to accept. Oftentimes these decisions and rights are often redefined and reinterpreted to suit their political ideology. Therefore, it quite easy to see how people would make statements that rights and progress have been pushed back. On the other hand, others say that rights and progress have been pushed forward. There is no denying that the Supreme Court has been threatened, accused, and even delegitimized by opponents for these decisions. Over the years, all of us have observed that it has been a constant struggle regarding the issues of denying rights, affirming rights, and creating rights (out of thin air). As we continue this government gridlock, we will continue to talk back and forth about the role of government.
Next post: refusing to believe, refuting, and speaking against