The Greek verb enthymeomai means to think deeply, to ponder, or to reason within oneself — combining en (in/within) and thymos (passion/mind) to describe engaged, passionate reasoning or inner reflection.
Enthymeomai occurs in Matthew 1:20 (Joseph 'pondered' these things before the angel appeared) and Matthew 9:4 (Jesus 'knew their thoughts'). Both uses are profound: Joseph's reflective pondering was interrupted by divine revelation — God answers thoughtful wrestling. Jesus's perception of the scribes' inner reasoning exposes the divine omniscience that reads not just actions but the thoughts behind them. The related noun enthumesis appears in Hebrews 4:12: the word of God judges the 'thoughts and attitudes of the heart.' Our inner reasoning is not private; it is transparent to God. Enthymeomai therefore calls for integrity in thought — the life of discipleship begins in the mind before it appears in action.