G4907: Sunesis: Understanding, Insight

To mentally grasp something such as a truth, a concept.  Word Pictures in the New Testament says the word comes from suniēmi, to send together.

Strongs says the word is from <a href="http://www.crossbooks.com/book.asp?strongs=G4920" ><G4920></a> (suniemi); a mental putting together, i.e. intelligence or (concretely) the intellect.  Ref. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Abbott says sunesis is the faculty of deciding in particular cases while sophia gives the general principles.  Ref. Word Pictures in the New Testament.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament lists these uses in secular Greek:

<ol>

<li>The verb syníēmi means “to bring together,” “to come to agreement,” “to perceive,” “to understand.”</li>

<li>The noun sýnesis means “union,” “confluence,” then “comprehension,” “understanding,” “discernment,” and finally “self-awareness.”</li>

<li>The adjective synetós means “understanding” or “understandable.” asýnetos for “not understanding” has at times a moral tinge.</li>

</ol>

Rienecker and Rogers, (Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament), "The word refers to the putting together the facts nd information and drawing conclusions and seeing relationships."

Munce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "Synesis refers to spiritual 'understanding, insight.'  It is the child Jesus' synesis that amazes the crowds when He answers questions in the temple (Lk 2.47).  Paul prays that God will give the Colossians spiritual wisdom and 'understanding' (Col 1.9) so they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1.10).  They will have riches from such synesis which will enable them to know the mystery of Christ (Col 2.2).  Similarly in Eh 3.3-4 Paul suggests that his 'insight into the mystery of Christ' has come by revelation.  Paul encourages Timothy to reflect on his teaching, for in doing so the Lord will give him 'insight into all this' (2 Tim 2.7)."