The concept of Understanding in Christianity
Synonyms: Comprehension, Insight, Awareness, Knowledge, Perception, Discernment, Interpretation, Recognition, Discernment.
In Dutch: Begrip; In Finnish: 驰尘尘盲谤迟盲尘颈苍别苍; In Spanish: 颁辞尘辫谤别苍蝉颈贸苍; In German: 痴别谤蝉迟盲苍诲苍颈蝉; In Swedish: 贵枚谤蝉迟氓别濒蝉别; In Malay: Kefahaman; In French: 颁辞尘辫谤茅丑别苍蝉颈辞苍
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Understanding'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) Understanding is the eye of the soul, which is also referred to as Israel, as they can see God and recognize what He is saying, as they understand Him.[1] (2) This is considered the greatest free gift, and the psalmist beseeches for it, indicating its importance in the context of faith.[2] (3) The process of grasping the nature of the divine, which can be hindered by a lack of diligence, but potentially initiated even from seemingly insignificant or unproductive sources.[3] (4) A verb, used to describe the action of the people, and to understand that there is one God, as the prophets taught.[4] (5) The concept of understanding is presented as the ability to grasp the meaning of Christ's words, and the text suggests that understanding is linked to faith and salvation.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This refers to the act of comprehending, implying that understanding what is known is essential for understanding the unknown, as the text implies.[6]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) Understanding is movement, and that which understands itself is said to move itself, and is the act of the perfect, that is to say, of what is in act.[7] (2) This implies an intimate knowledge, for it is the same as reading inwardly, and is the ability to penetrate into the very essence of a thing, to discover what is hidden, and to grasp the meaning behind appearances, which requires a supernatural light to know what cannot be known by natural light.[8] (3) This is an intellectual virtue and a gift, and its role in being directed by wisdom, is discussed in the enumeration of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, and is necessary for salvation.[9] (4) Understanding is considered a part of prudence, referring to the right estimate about a final principle taken as self-evident. It is essential because every process of reasoning must proceed from some understanding, making it a source for the whole process of prudence.[10] (5) The capacity of comprehending something, as mentioned in the provided text, necessitates a corresponding, improved physical structure for effective processing and assimilation of knowledge.[11]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) This is the capacity or faculty where a concept or being is grasped or comprehended, serving as a location where the subject can be known, or present.[12] (2) This refers to the capacity to grasp or comprehend something, where a being is said to exist, initially, when it is heard and understood.[13] (3) This term describes the capacity of the mind to comprehend or grasp concepts, which is a central element in the arguments being presented in the text.[14] (4) The cognitive capacity to comprehend and mentally grasp concepts, including both actual and unreal entities.[15]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) The understanding that you cannot but possess the 'peace of God which passeth understanding.'[16] (2) This refers to the continuous grasp of Christ as the object of thought, which is an essential aspect of the true discipline of the Christian life, involving the mind and ensuring spiritual comprehension.[17] (3) This is not by itself able to grasp Christ's love, but the understanding led by the heart can lay hold of it, and can find in it infinite treasures, according to the text.[18] (4) The comprehension of life is considered a wellspring for those who possess it, indicating a source of vitality and fulfillment, especially when dealing with one's relationship with God.[19] (5) This refers to the mental faculty involved in grasping truths and concepts, which is connected to faith but not the entirety of it, as the text explains in detail.[20]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) Jesus opened the disciples' ability to comprehend the scriptures, enabling them to grasp the meaning of the prophecies.[21]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) The ability to comprehend; intelligence, is an act that must be convinced of the truth and goodness of a thing, before the will can be persuaded to make any motion towards it.[22] (2) This refers to the capacity to comprehend or grasp information, emphasizing the ability to make sense of things and acquire knowledge.[23]