The spiritual gifts ‘word of wisdom’ and ‘word of knowledge’ – What are they?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible lists the “word of wisdom” and the “word of knowledge” as spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:8). Though not fully defined, these gifts are grouped with other gifts that involved direct revelation from God, such as prophecy and tongues. Therefore, they also were likely other forms of direct revelation.

While the word of wisdom probably involved applying God’s revealed truth to specific needs or situations in a Spirit-guided way, the word of knowledge seems to have involved receiving truth or information from God that was not known through normal means. Both gifts played an important role in the early church when God was still giving new revelation through the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20). These gifts helped confirm God’s message, protect the church from error, and build up the faith of believers. But now that the full message of Scripture has been given, these particular gifts are no longer active. The Holy Spirit still gives wisdom and understanding today, but He does so by helping believers understand and apply the Bible. In other words, the function of the original gifts is now fulfilled through the Word of God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• While the “word of wisdom” and “word of knowledge” are not found in the Old Testament, it does give us insight into both of them.
• For starters, the Old Testament affirms that true wisdom comes from God and that He alone grants knowledge beyond human capacity. Proverbs repeatedly declares “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), establishing that spiritual wisdom is inseparable from having a right relationship with God.
• The prophets often received knowledge from God in ways that surpassed natural understanding. In 2 Kings 6:8–12, Elisha is told what the king of Syria says in his bedroom, revealing that God grants knowledge directly for specific purposes. This kind of supernatural insight resembles what Paul may be describing in the gift of the word of knowledge.
• Joseph is another example of wisdom granted by God in a revelatory context. Pharaoh recognized that Joseph had divine wisdom when he interpreted dreams and laid out a plan for Egypt’s survival (Genesis 41:38–40). Perhaps this is what is meant in the New Testament by a word of wisdom: a God-given ability to rightly apply revealed truth.
• Daniel’s role in Babylon highlights both elements. He received divine knowledge in the interpretation of dreams (Daniel 2:19–23) and was commended for wisdom that exceeded that of all the wise men of the empire (Daniel 1:17–20).
• Based on the limited information we have on what a “word of wisdom” and a “word of knowledge” are, these and other Old Testament examples appear to overlap or prefigure the Spirit-empowered insights later seen in the New Testament church.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are listed as distinct gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8, both given “through the Spirit” for the benefit of the body. These are placed alongside other revelatory gifts such as prophecy and tongues, indicating that they were also a part of God’s direct communication during the foundational period of the church.
• The “word of wisdom” likely refers to Spirit-enabled insight for applying divine truth to complex situations. For example, when Stephen speaks against his opponents, we read, “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10). This was a wisdom given by the Spirit in a specific moment to help Stephen refute the group of men surrounding him.
• The “word of knowledge” appears to involve Spirit-given awareness of facts or truths not otherwise accessible. In Acts 5:1–11, Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter and the rest of the church, yet somehow Peter knew of their deceit without being told. That knowledge came from the Holy Spirit and served to protect the purity of the church.
• Both gifts functioned to guide, protect, and build the church in a time when the New Testament had not yet been completed. Additionally, their presence affirmed the apostles’ authority and demonstrated the Spirit’s power in establishing doctrine and leading the early believers into truth (Ephesians 2:20).
• With the close of the apostolic era (the first century) and the completion of Scripture, these revelatory gifts are no longer active. Scripture is now the sufficient and complete revelation by which the Spirit continues to instruct and guide His people (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Understanding spiritual gifts in their biblical contexts protects us from confusion about how the Spirit works today. The “word of wisdom” and “word of knowledge” were not ordinary insights or helpful advice; they were supernatural gifts given to a limited number of believers at a specific time in redemptive history.

If you’re in Christ, the same Spirit who gave these gifts still dwells in you—and He continues to give wisdom and understanding. But He does so through the Word He has given, not through spontaneous revelations. Scripture now functions as the sufficient source of knowledge and the means by which wisdom is applied.

This gives you a solid foundation. You don’t need to seek hidden messages or rely on subjective impressions to know God’s will. You have something, as Peter said, “more sure” (2 Peter 1:19). That is, you have the written Word of God. It was preserved for your instruction, encouragement, and growth in Christ. Rather than seeking gifts that no longer function, you are called to walk in the Spirit, study the Word, and serve the body in ways that are still active and needed today.

UNDERSTAND

• The word of wisdom and word of knowledge were supernatural gifts of direct revelation.
• The spiritual gifts “word of wisdom” and “word of knowledge” guided and protected the early church before the New Testament was complete.
• The spiritual gifts “word of wisdom” and “word of knowledge” are no longer active today because Scripture now fulfills their purpose.

REFLECT

• How has your understanding of wisdom and knowledge deepened through studying Scripture rather than relying on immediate insights or impressions?
• How do you see the Holy Spirit guiding you today through the Word of God instead of supernatural revelations?
• How does knowing that the gifts of word of wisdom and word of knowledge were specific to the early church affect your understanding of spiritual gifts?

ENGAGE

• Why would the spiritual gifts of word of wisdom and word of knowledge have been especially important gifts in the early church?
• What encouragement or challenge do you see in relying on Scripture instead of seeking new revelations?
• How can we cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance while avoiding the temptation to seek and chase after supernatural messages?