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 Job 12:13 See also Ex 28:3; Job 38:36; Ecc 2:26; Jas 3:17

It is received through God’s word Ps 19:7 See also Ps 119:99-100,130; Ecc 8:5; Jer 8:8-9; Hos 4:6; Mt 7:24; Col 3:16; 2Ti 3:15

It is received through submission to God Pr 15:33 See also Isa 33:6

It is imparted by God’s Spirit Eph 1:17 See also Ex 31:3 pp Ex 35:31; Job 32:8; Da 4:18; Da 5:14; Ac 6:3,10; 1Co 12:8; Eph 3:5

It is given in response to prayer Jas 1:5 See also 1Ki 3:9 pp 2Ch 1:10; Pr 2:3-6; Da 10:12; Col 1:9

The emptiness of worldly wisdom

Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God 1Co 3:19-20 See also Job 5:13; Ps 94:11; Ro 1:21-23

God cannot be known by worldly wisdom 1Co 1:21 See also Ecc 8:16-17; Isa 55:9; Ro 11:33-34; 1Co 1:17; 1Co 2:4-5,11-13

Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope Isa 47:10 See also Pr 3:7; Pr 26:12; Pr 28:11; Isa 5:21; Jer 9:23; Col 2:23 Paul uses irony to condemn the “wisdom” in which the Corinthians take pride: 1Co 4:10; 2Co 11:18-19

Worldly wisdom will be confounded Isa 29:14 See also 1Co 1:19-20; Job 5:12-13; Pr 21:30; Isa 19:11; Isa 44:25; Jer 51:57; Eze 28:6-7,17; 1Co 1:25

The revelation of divine wisdom

It is revealed in Jesus Christ 1Co 1:23-24 God’s wisdom, which is hidden from those who rely on human wisdom, is the message of Christ crucified. See also 1Co 1:30; 1Co 2:6-8; Col 1:15-17

It is rejected by the worldly-wise 1Co 2:14 See also 1Co 1:18,22-23

It is revealed to the unlearned Mt 11:25 pp Lk 10:21 1Co 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 1Co 1:26-27

It is revealed through the church Eph 3:10

God-given wisdom is superior to worldly wisdom Lk 21:15 See also Ge 41:15; Ex 7:11-12; 1Ki 4:30; Da 1:20; Da 5:7; Ac 6:10

See also