Latin contemplatio — "the act of observing, regarding, considering." From contemplari ("to observe, survey, look at carefully"). From con- ("with, together") + templum ("a space marked out for observation," from which "temple" comes). To contemplate is to stand in the temple of God's presence and look intently.
Christian contemplation is the sustained, attentive fixing of the heart and mind upon God — His character, His works, His Word, and His presence — with the result that the soul is formed into His image. It is not the emptying of the mind (as in Eastern meditation) but the filling of the mind with the living God: "Set your minds on things that are above" (Colossians 3:2). The Psalms are Israel's school of contemplation: "I meditate on your law day and night" (Psalm 1:2); "When I look at your heavens…what is man?" (Psalm 8:3–4). Mary at the feet of Jesus is the icon of contemplative posture — one thing is necessary (Luke 10:42). The mystic tradition in Christianity (John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux) developed contemplation as a disciplined art; the Reformers recovered it through biblical meditation and the hearing of the Word preached. True contemplation is always Christ-centered, Word-anchored, and productive of holy affection.
CONTEMPLATION — The act of the mind in considering with attention; continued attention of the mind to a particular subject. In theology, the devout meditation on sacred things. Divine contemplation is a state of mind in which it is engrossed with the view of God, absorbed in the meditation of His perfections and works.
Two distortions plague modern contemplation. First, secular mindfulness has displaced Christian contemplation — the practice is emptied of its divine object and sold as stress management. The goal becomes self-awareness and calm rather than beholding God. Second, within the church, "contemplative spirituality" movements have imported Eastern practices (breath prayer, centering prayer, the "silence" as a path to God) that bypass the Word and the personal God of Scripture. Biblical contemplation is never contentless — it is always engagement with the living God through His revealed Word.
• Psalm 1:2 — "…his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."
• Colossians 3:1–2 — "Set your minds on things that are above…not on things that are on earth."
• Psalm 63:6 — "When I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night…"
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 — "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image."
• Luke 10:42 — "But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Greek θεωρέω (theōreō, G2334) — to look at, observe, contemplate
→ From θεωρός ("spectator") and θέα ("sight, view")
→ Used of beholding Christ's glory: John 1:14 — "we have seen his glory"
→ Root of "theory" — originally meant direct observation, not speculation
Greek μελετάω (meletaō, G3191) — to meditate, practice, think about
→ 1 Timothy 4:15: "Practice (μελέτα) these things; immerse yourself in them"
→ From μέλω (melō) — "to be an object of care"
Hebrew שִׂיחַ / שׁוּחַ (siach/shuach, H7742/H7879) — to muse, meditate, speak
→ Psalm 77:12: "I will meditate on all your work and muse on your mighty deeds"
→ Also: conversation, complaint, prayer — meditation is speech with God
Hebrew הָגָה (hagah, H1897) — to mutter, meditate, moan
→ Psalm 1:2: "meditates (yehgeh) day and night"
→ Originally: low, quiet sound — like the sound of reading Scripture aloud
→ Meditation in Israel was never silent — it was quiet verbal rehearsal
Latin templum — sacred space, marked for augury/observation
→ contemplate = standing in the temple, looking with intent
• "Biblical contemplation is not emptying the mind — it is filling the mind with God until everything else looks small by comparison."
• "The monk's cell and the battlefield foxhole can both be places of contemplation — what matters is the object, not the location."
• "To behold His glory is to be changed by it: contemplation is the engine of transformation."