Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Simplicity
Subjects in this Topic:
sim-plis´i-ti (פּתיּוּת, pethayyuÌ„th; ἁπλοÌτης, haploÌteÌ„s): The words in the Old Testament commonly translated “simplicity†are pethı̄, “simple†(), pethayyuÌ„th, “simplicity†( margin), toÌ„m, “completeness,†“integrity†(), “They went in their simplicity.†In the New Testament, haploteÌ„s, “singleness of mind,†“simplicity,†occurs in , “He that giveth let him do it with simplicity,†the Revised Version (British and American) “liberality,†margin “Greek: 'singleness'“; , “in simplicit and godly sincerity,†the Revised Version (British and American) (with corrected text) “in holiness and sincerity of Godâ€; , “the simplicity that is in Christ,†the Revised Version (British and American) (with corrected text) “the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christâ€; compare ; , where the translation is “singleness†In The Wisdom of Solomon 1:1 we have, “Think ye of the Lord with a good mind (the King James Version “heartâ€), and in singleness (the King James Version “simplicityâ€) of heart seek ye him†(haploteÌ„s). our Lord also speaks (; ) of the “single eye†(haplouÌs), and James () applies haploÌ„Ìs, “simply,†“directly,†without after-thought (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) “liberallyâ€) to God, who had been described by Plato (Rep. ii. 382 E) as being perfectly simple (haplous) and true, both in word and deed. In such “simplicity†- openness, sincerity, freedom from double-mindedness - man most resembles God and is most open to His visitation and blessing.