UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: foolish, senseless, unwise

Semantic entry: 32.52

Semantic domains: Understand

Subdomains: Lack of Capacity for Understanding

Definition: pertaining to not employing one’s understanding, particularly in practical matters

Notes: It is possible that ἄφρων in RV ROM 2:20 · LV ROM 2:20 · Read together ROM 2:20 (παιδευτὴν ἀφρόνων ‘instructor of the foolish’) refers to people who are simply uninstructed or ignorant, since ἀφρόνων could be parallel with νηπίων, occurring in the same verse. On the other hand, there appears to be a contrast in the meanings of ἀφρόνων and νηπίων because of the distinctiveness in meanings of παιδευτήν and διδάσκαλον. Therefore, ἄφρων in RV ROM 2:20 · LV ROM 2:20 · Read together ROM 2:20 is better understood as referring to those who act foolishly because they do not use their potential for understanding.