God’s Wisdom

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” James 3:13-16

The two major New Testament Greek words from which we derive the English word wisdom offer compelling insight into the nature of God’s wisdom.

The first is sophia, or sophos, which, according to An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words by W.E. Vine, refers to the “the insight into the true nature of things.” When viewed from the perspective of Scripture, prevailing philosophies - like humanism, Marxism, materialism, and secularism - are seen for what they really are: vain systems of ideology which are morally bankrupt because they are founded on ever-changing and eroding values. While they appeal to individuals, God’s wisdom penetrates the veneer and allows us to unveil their real, deceitful base.

The second word is phronesis, or phronimos, which has to do with the more practical aspect of wisdom. It is the same word which also is commonly translated as prudence which means “sensible or practically wise.”

Such wisdom means that daily we act in accordance with the truths of Scripture, ordering and aligning our lives with their commands. The more we obey, the wiser we become. God’s wisdom, thus, is both penetrating (unmasking superficial doctrines) and practical (working out our daily lives in submission to clear scriptural principles).

“A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.” Proverbs 24:5