What is wisdom?

from the old testament

• God is the standard of wisdom. He is the standard because He not only knows everything (Psalm 147:5), but He also applies that knowledge perfectly to every situation. It is the right application of knowledge that distinguishes between being wise and knowing a lot.
• God is also the source of wisdom. Because He is perfectly wise, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). To spurn God is to set oneself on an unwise path. However, in order to fear the LORD, we must know who He is. Thus, God, through Scripture, teaches us about Him (e.g., Exodus 34:6–7) and what pleases Him (e.g., Micah 6:8).
• God has taught us wisdom in Scripture, with some books and writings particularly being called “wisdom literature.” They are so called because their primary function is teaching one to live rightly in the fear of the LORD. For example, Proverbs, famous for its wise sayings, teaches various ways to live wisely. One is wise when they honor others (Proverbs 3:27), are not lazy (Proverbs 6:6–11), and avoid senseless fights (Proverbs 17:14).
• Job and Ecclesiastes are other books in the wisdom literature genre. They show that there are limits to human knowledge (such as why bad things happen) and that pursuing this life as ultimate is vanity, since obeying God is the only act that will be eternal.

from the new testament

• God is perfectly wise (Romans 16:27). As the God-man, Jesus is wisdom incarnate, embodying perfect wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) and being the one “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).
• While there is a “wisdom” genre in Scripture, Paul taught that all Scripture is God-breathed “and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Therefore, all Scripture teaches us what we need to know to live wise, God-pleasing lives.
• However, sometimes it’s difficult for us to know how to apply Scripture to particular areas of our lives. Because God is the source of wisdom, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). God gives wisdom to those who ask.
• Note: There is worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom often sounds reasonable but is contrary to God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20–25). Because wisdom in the world comes from worldly logic rather than from God, the source of true wisdom, it runs contrary to true wisdom. A wise man or woman discerns its errors and rejects its wisdom (Colossians 2:8).

implications for today

There’s a difference between knowing that crossing a busy street is dangerous and applying that knowledge in a way that brings safety. The application of knowledge, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, is the definition of wisdom.

Therefore, “knowing a lot” is different than “being wise.” Applying knowledge incorrectly is unwise because it can cause harm. While the world can offer wisdom—again, crossing the street carefully is one such example—when it comes to eternal, spiritual things, one must derive wisdom from God, not the world.

To the world, salvation through the death of Jesus is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). But God uses what’s foolishness to the world to shame it (1 Corinthians 1:27), demonstrating that He is the only source of spiritual wisdom (Proverbs 2:6).

Living wisely, then, starts by fearing the LORD (Proverbs 1:7) by acknowledging that your way leads to death (Proverbs 14:12) and trusting in God’s provided way to eternal life: faith in His Son, Jesus (John 3:16). Then, for those who are rightly fearing the LORD, Scripture provides wisdom so that we can live this life in ways that please God.

As believers, then, our source of wisdom is to be first and foremost Scripture. It is all we need to live a faithful and righteous life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Making Scripture our foundation of wisdom will help us live well in this world (Proverbs 3:13–18), display godly conduct to unbelievers (1 Peter 2:12), and mold us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), who embodies wisdom perfectly (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30).