31 Bible Verses about Intelligence

Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

now the Athenians, and the foreigners residing at Athens generally amus'd themselves about nothing, but hearing and spreading of news.

and again, "the Lord knows, that the thoughts of the wise are vain."

where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly. for whereas the world, with all their learning, did not distinguish the characters of his divine wisdom, in his works, it pleased God to save those who believe, by preaching, which they counted folly.

You search the scriptures, for you think by their means to have eternal life, and they are the very writings which do testify of me. yet you will not come to me, that ye may have life.

pretending to be wise, they became fools: the honour due to God, who is immortal, they transferr'd to idols representing men, who are mortal, to birds, and beasts, and insects.

beware lest any one seduce you by the vain illusions of philosophy, founded upon human traditions, and meer shadows, and not upon Christ:

by which indeed they make a pretence to wisdom, by a worship of their own devising, by an air of humility, and self-denial, and a disregard to the gratifications of sense.

Now as to things offered to idols, 'tis certain that the knowledge you all pretend to have, swells you with pride, but 'tis charity that edifieth. and if any man be conceited of his own knowledge, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know it.

but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth: such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal. where false zeal, and a spirit of contention reign, there confusion and every vice prevail.

for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called. but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty: those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing.read more.
that no man might glory before God; for from him it is that ye believe in Christ Jesus, whom God has made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, "he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord."

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were illiterate, and of the lower rank of men, they were surpriz'd; but tho' they knew that they had been Jesus's disciples,

you shall therefore love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, to the utmost of your understanding, and all your faculties." this is the first commandment.

Jesus said to him, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

he replied, 'tis thus, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy understanding; and thy neighbour as thy self."

but he that has been steady in his purpose, and finds no necessity to alter it; if he is a master of his passion, and is heartily determin'd to keep his virginity, it is well.

what then is to be done? why, I will pray by the spirit, but my prayer shall be intelligible: I will sing by the spirit, but my hymn shall be intelligible. otherwise if you should give thanks by the spirit in an unknown tongue, the hearer cannot but appear unlearned upon this occasion; how then can he say Amen to thy thanksgiving? since he does not conceive what you say. thy thanksgiving indeed is right, but the other is not all edified by it.read more.
I thank God, I speak more languages than you all:

and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew,

"this is the alliance that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their mind will I write them:

for they that are sensually affected, abandon themselves to sensuality, but the spiritual pursue their spiritual entertainments. now sensual inclinations lead to death; but spiritual affections to a life of tranquillity.

the Lord is coming: be not in any manner of sollicitude, but in all your occasions lay your requests before God by prayer and supplication accompany'd by thanksgiving. and the favour of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall keep your hearts and mind attach'd to Jesus Christ.

let the things above, and not such worldly matters be the object of your thoughts.

when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time.

at length Moses was instructed in all the sciences of the Egyptians, and had great influence by his counsels and actions.

Having travers'd the isle as far as to Paphos, they found a Jew there nam'd Barjesus, who was a false prophet and magician: he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God.

As he was thus making his defence, Festus broke out into this exclamation, "Paul, you are mad: much study has turn'd your brain."

the Jews there were of a more generous temper than those of Thessalonica: for they very readily embrac'd their doctrine, and daily examin'd, whether it was conformable to the scriptures.

endeavour to approve yourself to God, as an artist that is not afraid of reproach, by rightly explaining the word of truth.

I have likewise thought proper; most excellent Theophilus, to write to you a particular account; having made a very diligent inquiry into the whole matter, that you may have a distinct view of those things about which you have been inform'd.