Greek word · G4907

σύνεσις

synesis

understanding

Understanding, insight, discernment. From syniēmi, 'to bring together', so the ability to connect things and judge them rightly. Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics 6.10) treats synesis as sound judgment about matters of practical action.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 25, 2026

What it means

σύνεσις, -εως, ἡ

(συνίημι), [in LXX for בִּינָה and cogn. forms, מַשְׂכִּית, דַּעַת, חׇכְמָה, etc. ;]

1. a running or flowing together (Hom.).

2. (a) understanding: Luke 2:47, 1 Corinthians 1:19" (LXX), Ephesians 3:4, Colossians 1:9 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:7

(b) the understanding, the mind or intelligence: Mark 12:33.†

SYN.: see: σοφία (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Colossians 1:9

Range of meaning: Understanding, insight, discernment. From syniēmi, 'to bring together', so the ability to connect things and judge them rightly. Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics 6.10) treats synesis as sound judgment about matters of practical action.
Against the English: Translations say 'understanding'. That is fine, but the Greek leans toward discernment in concrete situations more than toward abstract comprehension.
Used elsewhere in the period: The LXX uses it for Hebrew binah/tevunah, often paired with sophia (Exod 31:3; Deut 4:6; 1 Kgs 4:29 [LXX 5:9]; Isa 11:2; Dan 2:21). Colossians 2:2 speaks of 'the full assurance of understanding'.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 1:19

Range of meaning: Understanding, insight, comprehension, intelligence. It is the mental act of bringing things together and grasping how they relate (cognate with syniēmi, 'to understand').
Against the English: BSB/YLT 'intelligence', ESV/WEB 'discernment', KJV 'understanding', NASB 'cleverness'. All are within range. 'Cleverness' brings out the slightly ironic tone the context gives it.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the LXX it renders Hebrew bînāh (Isaiah 29:14: bînat nəbōnāyw, 'the understanding of its understanding ones'). It is used positively in Colossians 1:9 and 2:2. Paired with sophia it forms a stock wisdom-literature pair, as in Isaiah 11:2 LXX: 'spirit of wisdom and understanding'.

From the study of 2 Timothy 2:7

Range of meaning: Understanding, insight, intelligence; literally a 'bringing together' (from syniēmi, 'to put together, to understand'). It is the ability to see how things connect and what they imply. Can mean the mental faculty itself or the understanding of a particular matter.
Against the English: 'Understanding' (KJV, ESV, NASB, WEB) and 'insight' (BSB, NIV) are both accurate. 'Insight' brings out the sense of seeing into the meaning of something; 'understanding' covers the faculty more generally.
Used elsewhere in the period: A major word in Greek wisdom literature. LXX Prov 2:6: 'For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his face come knowledge and synesis'. That is very close to this verse. Isa 11:2 LXX: the Spirit of 'wisdom and synesis' on the coming king. In the NT: Col 1:9 ('spiritual wisdom and understanding'), Col 2:2, Eph 3:4 (Paul's 'insight into the mystery of Christ'). Josephus and Philo use it for intelligence and discernment.

Where it appears

Mark · 1

Mark 12:33 συνέσεως understanding

and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Here: The ability to grasp and put things together. The scribe uses this word where Jesus said 'mind' (dianoia) in v. 30. Mark answers it in v. 34, where Jesus sees he spoke 'with understanding' (nounechōs).

Luke · 1

Luke 2:47 συνέσει understanding

And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 1:19 σύνεσιν intelligence

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Here: The ability to put things together and see how they connect (from syniēmi, 'to bring together'). It means shrewd, discerning intelligence and is the parallel term to 'wisdom'.

Ephesians · 1

Ephesians 3:4 σύνεσίν insight

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Here: Comprehension: the ability to see how the parts fit together. Paul says his grasp of God's plan can be tested against what he has written.

Colossians · 2

Colossians 1:9 συνέσει in understanding

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Here: Insight or discernment: the ability to 'put things together' and judge a concrete situation correctly.
Colossians 2:2 συνέσεως of understanding

that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

Here: The ability to put things together and see how they connect, a practical, discerning grasp. Paul prayed for this same 'spiritual understanding' in 1:9.

2 Timothy · 1

2 Timothy 2:7 σύνεσιν understanding

Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

Here: The ability to put things together and see how they fit and what follows from them. Here: grasping what the soldier, athlete and farmer pictures mean for Timothy's own hard calling.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.