What the Bible Says About Simplicity

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. law: or, doctrine converting: or, restoring

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. exercise: Heb. walk high: Heb. wonderful

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. myself: Heb. my soul

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. discretion: or, advisement

Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. will beware: Heb. will be cunning

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, from: or, at home

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. giveth: or, imparteth with simplicity: or, liberally

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. simple: or, harmless

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. men: Gr. perfect, or, of a ripe age

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. been: or, used authority

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: