Perception (αἰσθάνομαι)

The term perception is rooted in personal sensory experience, suggesting a deeper and more tangible awareness than mere abstract comprehension.

Hebrews 5:14

“But solid food is for the mature; those who, through practice, have trained their perception (αἰσθητήριον) to discern proper and wrong.”

Along with full experiential knowledge, we are also to develop perception, as love is worked out through us, so that we may discern the things that differ (Philippians 1:9–10).

In Luke 9:45, the disciples lacked perception concerning the betrayal of the Son of Man, for these things were hidden from them at that time. Because they did not perceive what Jesus was saying, they were all afraid to question Him.

Exercising the senses (perception) involves both knowing and living out the Christian life. We are to move beyond the elementary principles of the oracles of God—the basics of the Christian life—toward maturity, not laying again the foundation of dead works and a change of mind (Hebrews 6:1–3).