Wisdom

Wisdom

—Knowledge skillfully put into practice.

Two Greek words translated Sophia & Phronesis for wisdom in
the NT. Sophia is the insight into the true nature of things, phronesis
is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results. Sophia
is theory and phronesis is practice.

1. Human wisdom.
   1. The source of wisdom
      1. Received as a gift from God — 1 Kings 3:11-12; Prov. 2:6; Eccl.
         2:26; Dan. 2:21; James 1:5.
      2. Received as a gift from the Spirit — 1 Cor. 12:8; Eph. 1:17.
      3. Starts with the fear of the Lord — Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Prov.
         9:10.
      4. Comes from listening to the wise — Prov. 1:2; 4:1-11; 13:20.
      5. Comes from research and education — Eccl. 1:13, 17; 7:25.
      6. Comes from discipline — Prov. 29:15.
      7. Comes from admonishing one another — Col. 3:16.
   2. Expressions of wisdom
      1. Serving as a craftsman — Ex. 28:3.
      2. Following God’s law — Dt. 4:6; Hos. 14:9; Mt. 7:24-26.
      3. Writing proverbs and songs — 1 Kings 4:29, 32.
      4. Studying God’s creation — 1 Kings 4:29, 33.
      5. Administering justice — 1 Kings 3:16-28; 10:8-9.
      6. Avoiding evil — Prov. 5:1-6.
      7. Taking advise — Prov. 13:10.
      8. Giving advise — Dan. 1:20.
      9. Interpreting visions and dreams — Dan. 2:23, 30.
      10. Preparing for the future — Mt. 25:1-13.
      11. Exercising patience — Prov. 19:11.
      12. Living like a Christian — Prov. 2:20-21; James 3:17.
      13. Defending the gospel — Acts 6:3, 10.
   3. Benefits of wisdom
      1. Makes us blessed — Prov. 3:13.
      2. Leads to a long life — Prov. 3:16.
      3. Preserves our lives — Eccl. 7:12.
      4. Protects us — Prov. 4:6.
      5. Exalts us — Prov. 4:8-9.
      6. Brings us joy — Prov.29:3; 27:11.
      7. Gives us strength — Eccl. 7:19.
      8. Brings us healing — Prov. 12:18.
      9. Saves us from evil ways — Prov. 2:12-19.
2. Divine wisdom
   1. True wisdom centers in God
      1. God has wisdom — Job 12:13; 28:20-24; Dan. 2:20.
      2. Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God — 1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3.
      3. The Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom — Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17.
   2. The nature of God’s wisdom
      1. Profound — Job 9:4.
      2. Precious — Prov. 8:18-19.
      3. Deep and rich — Rom. 11:33.
      4. Magnificent — Isa. 28:29.
      5. Manifold — Eph. 3:10.
      6. Unsurpassable — Jer. 10:7.
   3. Activities of God’s wisdom
      1. Operative in creation — Psalm 104:24; Prov. 3:19; 8:22-31; Jer.
         10:12.
      2. Controls nature — Job 26:12; 39:26.
      3. Controls history — Isa. 10:12-13.
      4. Counsels rulers — Prov. 8:14-16.