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.”
granonine
April 23, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Fascinating, Anna. In my line of work, the description of the brain is so interesting!
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Anna
April 30, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Yes, I agree. Fascinating indeed.
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