21 Bible Verses about Reason

when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside my childish ways.

For tho' the doctrine of the cross seems folly to those that perish: yet we that are to be saved, do feel its energy is divine. for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 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.read more.
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. while the Jews require signs, and the Greeks seek wisdom: we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. for this divine doctrine, as foolish and weak as men may think it, far surpasses all their wisdom, and baffles all their power. 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. 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."

when the Gentiles who have not the law, do by nature what the law prescribes, tho' these have not the law, they are a law to themselves: for they shew that the duties prescrib'd by the law, are written in their hearts, their consciences bearing witness to it, by their own reasonings alternately accusing and excusing them.

Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout. for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you.

because what should be known of God they are acquainted with; for God hath manifested it unto them. for ever since the creation of the world, his eternal power and divinity, things in themselves invisible, are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made; so that they are without excuse:

'Twas by faith that Abraham, when put to the trial, offered up Isaac: HE offered up his darling son, to whose posterity the promises were to be made good: of whom it was said, "only the descendants of Isaac shall be counted your posterity:" concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the grave; from whence, in a figurative sense, be may be said to have been recover'd.

Paul, as was his custom, us'd to go there, and for three sabbath-days discours'd to the Jews from the scriptures, explaining them, and setting it to view, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that Jesus, whom he denounc'd to them, was that very Messiah. Some of them believed, and join'd themselves to Paul and Silas, besides a great number of Greek proselytes, and several women of distinction.

he disputed therefore in the synagogue with the Jews, and the proselyted Greeks: and in the publick place daily with those he met.

and try'd to gain upon the Jews and the Greek proselytes:

adore the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to show with modesty and respect to every one that asks it, what ground there is for the expectations you have: