sunesis is the capacity to grasp what is heard, taught, or prayed for, including God’s will and the mystery of Christ.

The attested use presents a capacity for grasping and discernment: it is displayed in answers, sought as a gift, connected with God’s will and the mystery of Christ, included in wholehearted love, and contrasted with the understanding of the intelligent that God rejects.

1. Capacity to grasp and discern · dominant

   The singular noun is used of a capacity displayed in hearing and answering in Luke 2:47 and expected as a gift in 2 Timothy 2:7, where the APB renders, respectively, “his understanding and his answers” and “the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” In Colossians 1:9, prayer asks that its recipients be filled with knowledge of God’s will “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,” while Ephesians 3:4 connects reading with grasping Paul’s understanding “in the mystery of Christ.” Mark 12:33 places it within love offered with the whole heart and strength, whereas 1 Corinthians 1:19 speaks of the understanding of the intelligent that God will reject.

   Luke 2:472 Timothy 2:7Colossians 1:9Ephesians 3:4Mark 12:331 Corinthians 1:19

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB consistently presents the term with “understanding,” including “spiritual understanding” in Colossians 1:9 and “the assurance of the understanding” in Colossians 2:2. These are renderings of whole translated clauses rather than definitions.