folly Summary and Overview

FOL'LY , Gen 34:7, FOOL, Prov 15:5. These terms are used by the sacred writers sometimes to denote weakness of understanding, Ps 14:1; 1 Cor 1:27; 1 Cor 4:10 and sometimes sin or wickedness. Ps 38:5; Josh 7:15. The transgression and disobedience of Adam were the height of folly, as is the sin of humanity generally. Foolish talking, jesting, foolish and unlearned questions, etc., 2 Tim 2:23, are such as are vain, frivolous, or have no useful tendency. The phrase "Thou fool," Matt 5:22, implies not only an angry temper, but probably also impiety and wickedness, in allusion to Ps 14:1, where the atheist is called a fool.