φρήν G5424
mind, understanding, mental faculties, intellect
φρήν (plural φρένες) originally referred to the diaphragm, then by extension to the seat of thought and understanding—the mind or intellect. Paul uses the dative plural τῇς φρεσίν twice in one verse (1 Corinthians 14:20), contrasting childlike innocence in evil with mature thinking: 'Brothers, do not be children in your thinking (ταῖς φρεσίν); be infants in evil, but in your thinking (ταῖς φρεσίν) be mature.' The context is the proper use of spiritual gifts, especially tongues and prophecy, where Paul emphasizes that worship must engage the mind, not bypass it.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Both uses appear in the same exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:20, where Paul calls for mature understanding in matters of worship. The German Verstand ('understanding') and Spanish entendimientos capture the intellectual dimension. Paul's point is that Christian maturity involves growing up in one's thinking, using the mind to edify the church rather than seeking ecstatic experiences that bypass rational comprehension. The φρένες must be engaged for true worship. 2×
AR["أفكارِ"]·ben["বুদ্ধিতে,", "বুদ্ধিতে।"]·DE["Verstand"]·EN["thinking"]·FR["intelligence"]·heb["דַּעַת"]·HI["समझ"]·ID["pemikiran,", "pemikiran."]·IT["comprensione"]·jav["-panggalih"]·KO["생각들에는", "생각들에서"]·PT["entendimentos,", "entendimentos."]·RU["умами"]·ES["entendimientos"]·SW["akili"]·TR["ama-", "o-"]·urd["سمجھ-میں"]
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
φρήν, ἡ, genitive φρενός, plural φρένες, genitive φρενῶν, dative φρεσί: older dative plural φρασί (ν) Refs 6th c.BC+: __I midriff, κραδία φρένα λακτίζει Refs 4th c.BC+; elsewhere always in plural, ἔνθα φρένες ἔρχαται ἀμφ᾽ ἁδινὸν κῆρ Refs 8th c.BC+; τὰς φρένας διάφραγμα εἰς τὸ μέσον αὐτῶν (i.e. τοῦ θώρακος καὶ τοῦ κύτους) τιθέντες Refs 8th c.BC+ __I.2 heart, as seat of the passions, e.g. of fear,…