Wisdom Wednesday :Paul’s Teaching on Wisdom

Wisdom Wednesday :Paul’s Teaching on Wisdom

Part 10 – Paul’s Theology of Wisdom

Submitted by Debbie’s Dad

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

(Romans 11:33) NASB 95

In this series of articles, we have covered Paul’s writings on wisdom. Proceeding through his epistles, we saw that he proceeded, first, from the fundamental basis of God’s wisdom and His application of wisdom in redemption. Then Paul explained how God shares His wisdom with believers so they may know His will and walk in His way. Finally,  in Paul’s epistles to Philemon and the young pastors Timothy and Titus, he explicitly describes the practical methods of applying God’s wisdom in the church.

Now we look over all the teachings on wisdom from Paul and organize his teachings into a structured outline. This requires comparing and associating all the common principles and topics in an organized manner. Theologians use the term “a theology” for such an organization of what the Bible teaches on a particular topic. This is also called an organized set of teachings, or doctrine.

So now we provide here a brief outline of Paul’s teachings that create a Theology of God’s wisdom.

A Pauline Theology of Wisdom

1. Wisdom is an attribute of God alone
   1. God devised His plan of salvation “In all wisdom and insight…” Here, wisdom ( Greek σοφία, sophia) is God’s ability to choose the optimum means to save (redeem) hopeless sinners, and insight (Greek φρόνησις phronesis) is God’s practical knowledge of how to sacrifice His Son as a substitute for our sins. (Eph 1:8)
   2. Paul prayed that the believers would receive, “…a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”  He wanted the believers to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Greek ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis) to know God personally as they walked with Him daily. (Eph 1:17)
   3. God’s wisdom is distinct from mankind’s wisdom and is even regarded as foolishness by unbelieving mankind. (1 Cor 1:21,2:6–7a)
2. God’s wisdom is disclosed and displayed in His Redemption of sinful men
   1. By His wisdom, God revealed to us His plan of salvation – the good news (Gospel) that offers redemption (rescue from sin) for all who believe (Ephesians 1:8; 5:15)
   2. The Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit are all involved in God’s wise plan of redemption:

• • • God the Father in the past has adopted believers to be His children (Eph. 4-6a)
    • God the Son in the present has provided redemption (Eph. 6b-11)
    • God the Spirit has sealed our inheritance so that in the future we are redeemed to eternal life for God’s praise and glory (Eph. 12-14)

3. God’s wisdom is distinguished from wisdom of the world
   1. False wisdom is accepted by unrighteous men that reject God and turn to idolatry. (Ro 1:21–23)
   2. God’s wisdom is distinctly different from the wisdom of man (1 Cor. 2:1-9)
   3. Philosophy and empty deception in outward religious behaviors that exhibit the appearance of wisdom (Col 2:8,16-232) are not associated with God’s wisdom and genuine faith.
4. God shares the attribute of wisdom with believers
   1. Become wise by renewing our Mind- Although the full knowledge of God and His wisdom is deep, unsearchable, and unfathomable, we may become mature in God’s wisdom and know His will by renewing our mind (Romans 11:33; 12:1-2)
   2. Ability to have the mind (think like) of Christ – As we renew our mind (Greek phroneo – to think, have understanding) that is the same as Christ’s (I Cor 2:16; See also Rom 12: 2,10)
   3. The wise “walk” is in newness of life (Rom 6:4) according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4) and by faith-not sight. (2 Cor 5:7)
   4. Grow In wisdom – Paul was so intent on the importance of wisdom in the life of the believer that he repeatedly prayed that new believers in the churches would grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God. (Eph 1:17; 3:10; Col. 1:9; Phil 1:9)
   5. Walk worthy – Daily walking (living daily in wisdom) worthy of God will please Him (1 Th 2:11–12; 4:1). The walk of wisdom begins with the mind that is no longer conformed to the world (of false wisdom) but to the will of God by being renewed by God’s Spirit (Rom 12:1-2; also, Titus 3:5). We walk in love (Eph 5:2), as Children of light (Eph 5:8), and in good works. (2:10)
   6. Discernment of God’s will – as we walk wisely, we can grow in our knowledge of God and His will – and thereby please Him. (Eph 5:15–17; Col 1:9–10)

Paul provided a complete set of teachings that can help us all as we seek to apply God’s wisdom by walking in the “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:4). His epistles provide the foundation principles and practical guidance to walk in God’s wisdom within the fellowship of believers.