Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8366 wisdom, source of human

8366 wisdom, source of human

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8361 wisdom » 8366 wisdom, source of human

True wisdom belongs to God and may be given by him alone. It cannot be received by those who put confidence in worldly wisdom which is based upon human cleverness and insight without God's revelation and which will come to nothing.

True wisdom comes from God

It is given by God alone

It is received through God's word

It is received through submission to God

Proverbs 15:33 See also Isaiah 33:6

It is imparted by God's Spirit

Ephesians 1:17 See also Exodus 31:3 pp Exodus 35:31; Job 32:8; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 5:14; Acts 6:3,10; 1 Corinthians 12:8; Ephesians 3:5

It is given in response to prayer

The emptiness of worldly wisdom

Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 See also Job 5:13; Psalm 94:11; Romans 1:21-23

God cannot be known by worldly wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:21 See also Ecclesiastes 8:16-17; Isaiah 55:9; Romans 11:33-34; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Corinthians 2:4-5,11-13

Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope

Isaiah 47:10 See also Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 28:11; Isaiah 5:21; Jeremiah 9:23; Colossians 2:23

Paul uses irony to condemn the “wisdom” in which the Corinthians take pride:

1 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 11:18-19

Worldly wisdom will be confounded

Isaiah 29:14 See also 1 Corinthians 1:19-20; Job 5:12-13; Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 19:11; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 28:6-7,17; 1 Corinthians 1:25

The revelation of divine wisdom

It is revealed in Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 God's wisdom, which is hidden from those who rely on human wisdom, is the message of Christ crucified. See also 1 Corinthians 1:30; Corinthians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15-17

It is rejected by the worldly-wise

1 Corinthians 2:14 See also 1 Corinthians 1:18,22-23

It is revealed to the unlearned

Matthew 11:25 pp Luke 10:21 1 Corinthians 3:18 God's wisdom may be received only by those willing to give up all reliance on their own human insight and understanding. See also 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

It is revealed through the church

Ephesians 3:10

God-given wisdom is superior to worldly wisdom