VI. The Mind of Man

The word “mind” comes from 6 different Hebrew words (Old Testament), and 17 different Greek words (New Testament).

A. Hebrew Words:

1. Nephesh – usually translated “soul,” so the mind relates to the soul

2. Ruwach – usually translated “spirit,” so the mind relates to the spirit

3. Peh – the “mouth,” the mind affects and relates to the mouth, it fashions the words we say

4. Leb – the “heart,” the mind relates to and affects the heart

5. Lebab – the “heart,” as the most interior organ, the midst, the core of our being

6. Yetser – the “conception” or “imagination”

B. Greek Words”

1. Dianoia – deep thought, imagination

2. Sophroneo – sound mind, right mind, sober mind

3. Sophronismos – discipline, self-control, sound mind

4. Anamimnesko – to remind, recollect, remember

5. Nous – meaning, the intellect, will

6. Phroneo – to exercise the mind, exercise or have a sentiment, opinion, to interest oneself in

7. Phronema – Inclination or purpose

8. Homothumadon – unanimously, with one accord

9. Epanamimnesko – to remind of, put in mind

10. Prothumia – predisposition, forwardness of mind (as in convictions)

11. Prothumos – willingly

12. Psuche – usually translated (spirit) The mind relates to and affects the spirit.

13. Tapeinophrosune – humiliation of mind, humility, modesty

14. Hupomimnesko – to remind quietly, to suggest to the memory

15. Gnome – opinion, resolve by counsel or consent, advice, judgement, purpose

16. Homophron – like-minded, harmonious

17. Ennoia – thoughtfulness, intent, understanding.

Thus, the mind can produce thoughts, imaginations, concepts, opinions, discipline, self-control, recollection, remembrance, meaning, intellect, will, sentiments, interests, inclinations, purpose, predispositions, humility, modesty, resolve, advise, judgement, intent, understanding, etc. The truth is: Only God can understand the potential of the human mind, for He created it a masterpiece. It is generally agreed that the average human only uses a fraction of his mind’s potential in his life.

C. Types of Minds Mentioned in Scripture:

1. The steadfast mind – Ruth 1:8

2. The carnal mind (fleshly-minded) – Romans 8:6-7

3. The spiritual mind – Romans 8:6

4. The sober mind – Titus 2:6 (Gaining in Godly intelligence and stability)

5. The double mind (mind on God sometimes, on the world other times) – James 1:8, 4:8

6. The despiteful mind – Ezekiel 36:5

7. The blinded mind (has not heard the Gospel) – 2 Corinthians 3:14, 4:4

8. The corrupted mind – 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8

9. The kept mind (kept by the peace of God through prayer) – Philippians 4:7

10. The quitting mind (fainting begins in the mind) – Hebrews 12:3

11. The pure mind – 2 Peter 3:1

12. The feeble mind – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

13. The high-minded – Romans 11:20; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:4; Romans 12:16

14. The like-minded – Romans 15:5; Philippians 2:2, 2:20; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 13:11

15. The unmindful – Deuteronomy 32:18

16. The grieved mind – Genesis 26:35

17. The sorrowful mind – Deuteronomy 28:65

18. The willing mind – 1 Chronicles 28:9; Nehemiah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 8:12

19. The single mind – Job 23:13

20. The wicked mind – Proverbs 21:27

21. The uttered mind (always have their mouth in gear) – Proverbs 29:11

22. The alienated mind – Ezekiel 23:17, 18, 22, 28; Colossians 1:21

23. The hardened mind – Daniel 5:20

24. The changed mind – Habakkuk 1:11

25. The whole mind – Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27

26. The right mind – Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35

27. The pondering mind – Luke 1:29

28. The doubtful mind – Luke 12:29

29. The ready mind – Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 8:19; 1 Peter 5:2

30. The humble mind – Acts 20:19; Colossians 3:12

31. The reprobate mind – Romans 1:28

32. The serving mind – Romans 7:25

33. The fleshly mind – Romans 8:5; Colossians 2:18

34. The renewed mind – Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23

35. The same mind – Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 1:27, 2:2, 4:2; 1 Peter 3:8, 4:1; Rev. 17:13

36. The persuaded mind – Romans 14:15

37. The fervent mind – 2 Corinthians 7:7

38. The forward mind – 2 Corinthians 9:2

39. The desiring mind – Ephesians 2:3

40. The vain mind – Ephesians 4:17

41. The lowly mind – Philippians 2:3

42. The Christ-like mind – Philippians 2:5

43. The earthly mind – Philippians 3:19

44. The shaken mind – 2 Thessalonians 2:2

45. The sound mind – 2 Timothy 1:7

46. The defiled mind – Titus 1:15

47. The law-filled mind – Hebrews 8:10

48. The wise mind – Revelation 17:9

49. The stayed mind – Isaiah 26:3

As we can see, there are many types of minds that a person can have, some good, some bad. For the sake of emphasis, the most important types of mind to have would include, but not limited to:

• The whole mind – Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
• The spiritual mind – Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
• The stayed mind – Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
• The law-filled mind – Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”
• The pure mind – 2 Peter 3:1 “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:”
• The Christ-like mind – Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
• The lowly mind – Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”