[Greek] μωρός (mōros), [Latin] fatuus, [Latin] stultus, [Latin] imprudens, [Latin] stupidus, [German] dumm: 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:
Intellect: dullness, lack of judgment, spiritual deficiency
Medicine: slackness, fatigue, dulling of the nerves
Animals: animals in hibernation
Folly: lack of understanding, condemnation, naivety, confusion, impulsiveness, being controlled by an outside force or power
Xenophon’s Anabasis 7.6.21: “Are you not ashamed of being so stupidly deceived? But to be deceived seems to be more shameful than to be deceived.”
Sophocles’ Electra 889: “Now, for the gods’ love, listen, so that you may know the rest from me before deciding whether I am sane or foolish.”
Aristophanes’ Ecclesiazusae 474: “It’s and old saying that our absurdist and maddest decrees always somehow turn out for our own good.”
Euripides’ Medea 614: “You would be a fool not to accept this offer. Forget your anger and it will be better for you.”
Demosthenes’ Phillipic 3 9.54: “But you have reached such a height of folly or madness. I know not what to call it.”
Sophocles’ Antigone 469: “And if my present actions are foolish in your sight, it may be that it is a fool who accuses me of folly.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 369: “I do not speak in prophecy, but judging from the state of things, for a foolish man speaks foolishness.”
Old Testament: This term means foolish, arrogant, senseless, stupid, quarrelsome, and wicked. This term frequently occurs 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 understanding. The Jewish Hellenistic philosopher Philo criticizes man’s worldly wisdom.
New Testament: This term means being foolish, foolishness, simplemindedness, and God’s ‘foolishness’ (wisdom). Jesus states that those (who listen to His words but do not act on them) will be like a fool building his house on the sand. Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees as blind fools for their faulty and inconsistent oaths. The ‘foolishness’ of God is wiser than any human wisdom. The world’s ‘wisdom’ is foolishness in God’s eyes. 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. Foolish words and quarrels can lead to serious consequences.
Scripture:
“But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa’, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, whoever says, ‘you fool’ will be liable to the fiery Gehenna.” Mt.5:22
Jesus states that anger is quite often the source of disputes between each other. It is important to settle these disputes. Otherwise, you may be subject to a judge’s severe judgment. This alludes to the fate of an unrepentant sinner in the coming judgment of God.
“And everyone who listens to these words of Mine but does not act on them be like a fool who built his house on sand.” Mt.7:26
The relationship between hearing and doing applies to every Christian. This also reinforces the need also 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 often seen foolish contrary to all human reasoning. God’s wisdom and truth are often seen foolish by human reasoning. Likewise, man’s ‘wisdom’ is often seen foolish by God.
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 form the Latin verb stupere, meaning to be stunned, amazed, or confounded.
Conclusion:
Moron, moronic, imprudent, stupid, stupidity, infatuate, infatuation, dumb
This a term that we all can relate to. It can often sting (be hurtful) when a friend deceives us. Many of us have been in a situation where we might say, ‘For the love of God, listen to me first before you make up your mind’. Oftentimes, it can be instructive in being absurd to point out others’ absurdity. We are sometimes foolish for not accepting a good deal or proposition. Foolishness is often in the eyes of the beholder. It often takes a fool to know foolishness. Many were often controlled (or even fooled) by fate.
In the Old Testament, foolishness (and wickedness) take on a more serious nature in potentially ruining or destroying one’s relationship with God. This culture develops the notion of God’s wisdom (actions) surpassing all human reason.
Raqa is an Aramaic term meaning imbecile or blockhead. It is interesting to note that Gehenna refers to the center of an idolatrous cult in which children were offered in sacrifice. Children were aborted in honor of Molech.
The parable of a house on rock illustrates the importance of acting on what one hears of the gospel. God’s ‘foolishness’ (wisdom) is wiser than any human wisdom and reason. If anyone who considers himself wise (knowing better than God???) will become foolish to all. Paul points out the foolishness of Corinthians’ prideful thinking that they know better.
It is important to note that Jesus called us wicked. We have a sinful nature and are evil compared to God. (Luke 11:13)
Update: It is very unfortunate but perhaps not surprising that govt. officials would collude to accuse Donald Trump of being a Russian collaborator.
It perhaps is a foolish endeavor for a Republican seeking re-election to oppose and criticize Trump supporters.
Increasing incidences of crime are directly related to the foolish notion of no cash bail for offenders and release of prisoners from jail.
I can imagine that there are many out there who now feel foolish for voting Joe Biden for president.
Now many political operatives are foolishly trying to convince others that we are not in a recession.
The fentanyl crisis (deaths) have worsened because the Biden administration has foolishly and tragically failed to secure the border.
Many Catholics and Christians have foolishly believed that they can support abortion without any consequences despite Christianity’s historical opposition to abortion.
Many abortion supporters foolishly think they know better (“it is all about my rights and convenience”) rather than the scientific, spiritual, and moral realities of abortion.
Many abortion supporters are willing to sacrifice their unborn on the altar of convenience.
It is interesting that many abortion supporters are angry about the infringement on their right to kill their child.
In Kansas, many people are cheering about their right to kill their unborn???? (How foolish does that sound?)
The notion of transgenderism essentially means that man foolishly knows better than God about what one’s gender should be.
The Biden administration foolishly continues to currently not encourage or support energy independence.
Biden administration health official Dr. Rachael Levine is publicly encouraging the use of puberty blockers.
One doesn’t need to be a fool to recognize that we are living in a post Christian society. Many things (words, names, and people) are being transformed and changed before our eyes. It is unwise to think we can easily navigate through this difficult path. There comes a time and place when we must ask ourselves: “Are we going to be for God or are we going to be conformed to the present age?” Each of us must gaze into our hearts and look at Christ. We can strive to offer ourselves as living sacrifices or we can be changed by this era of freedoms (rights) and short-sighted culture of death.
Next post: being transformed and being changed (Aug 6: Feast of the Transfiguration)