The natural ability to acquire knowledge and to learn skills. It is not emphasised in Scripture because wisdom is viewed primarily in spiritual and moral terms. Human cleverness proves ultimately futile; nevertheless, believers are called to develop and use their minds to the full in God's service and to dedicate gifts and abilities to him.
Wisdom is primarily spiritual and moral
Proverbs 9:10 See also Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; James 3:13
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The spiritual and moral inadequacy of unaided human intelligence
Unaided human intelligence proves futile
Psalm 94:11 See also Ecclesiastes 9:11, Ecclesiastes 12:12; Daniel 12:4; Acts 17:21; 1 Corinthians 3:20
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
Human intelligence does not bring knowledge of God
1 Corinthians 1:20–21 See also John 5:39–40; Romans 1:22–23; Colossians 2:8
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Human intelligence cannot promote godliness
Colossians 2:23 See also 1 Corinthians 8:1–2; James 3:14–16
Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Reliance on human intelligence brings judgment
Isaiah 29:14 See also Job 5:13; Isaiah 44:25; 1 Corinthians 1:19
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
Many of the first Christians were not intelligent
1 Corinthians 1:26–31 See also Acts 4:13
Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Believers are to use their minds
The mind to be used in serving God
Mark 12:30 parallels Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27 See also 1 Corinthians 7:37 The mind is to be used in seeking to discern God's will; 1 Corinthians 14:15–18 The mind is to be used in worship.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
God wants to renew the mind
Romans 12:2 See also Ephesians 4:23; Hebrews 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
The mind must be correctly focused
Romans 8:5–6; Philippians 4:6–7; Colossians 3:2
Examples of intelligent people
1 Samuel 25:3 Abigail; 2 Chronicles 2:12 Solomon; Daniel 1:4 young men from Israel exiled in Babylon; Daniel 1:17 Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Acts 5:34 Gamaliel; Acts 7:22 Moses; Acts 13:6–7 Sergius Paulus; Acts 26:24 Paul
Examples of believers using their minds
Ecclesiastes 8:9 See also Ezra 7:10 Ezra; Ecclesiastes 7:25 the Teacher; Daniel 10:12 Daniel; Acts 17:11 the Bereans; 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul's expectation for Timothy
All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man lords it over another to his own detriment.
God uses intelligence dedicated to him
Genesis 41:46–49 God uses Joseph's administrative skill; Exodus 31:2–6 parallel Exodus 35:30–35 Craftsmen use artistic expertise; 1 Kings 7:13–14 parallel 2 Chronicles 2:13–14 Huram does work in bronze for Solomon's temple; 2 Chronicles 26:15 Skilful men design machines for the defence of Jerusalem; Daniel 5:13–14 Daniel's intelligence aids his witness in the Babylonian court; Luke 1:3–4 Luke's thorough research owes something to his medical training.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.