THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.

kraft, kraf'-ti-nes, kraf'-ti, (panourgia), (panourgos): The original meaning is that of "ability to do anything," universally applied in a bad sense to unscrupulous wickedness, that stops short of no measure, however reprehensible, in order to attain its purposes; then, in a modified form, to resourcefulness in wrong, cunning (Da 8:25; 2 Macc 12:24; the Revised Version, margin "jugglery"). In Lu 20:23, Jesus perceives "the craftiness" of His adversaries, i.e. the complicated network which they have laid to ensnare Him. The art with which a plot is concealed, and its direction to the ruin of others, are elements that enter into the meaning. Heinrici on 1Co 3:19 illustrates from Plato the distinction between craftiness and wisdom. There is a touch of humor in 2Co 12:16, when Paul speaks of his conduct toward the Corinthians as having been "crafty."

H. E. Jacobs