True wisdom may bring material reward but its value far exceeds earthly riches. To those who receive it, it opens a path to life and security and equips for leadership and right conduct.
The supreme value of true wisdom
It is priceless
Proverbs 4:7 See also Proverbs 3:13, Proverbs 8:10–11
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
It leads to life
Proverbs 15:24 See also Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 13:14, Proverbs 16:22, Proverbs 24:14; Daniel 12:3
The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
It brings prosperity
Proverbs 8:18 The benefits of wisdom may include material prosperity, but more important is the moral and spiritual prosperity which it brings. See also Proverbs 3:1–2, Proverbs 19:8, Proverbs 19:8, Proverbs 21:20–21, Proverbs 24:3; Jeremiah 10:21
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
It gives security
Proverbs 4:6 See also Proverbs 1:33, Proverbs 2:6–11, Proverbs 14:3, Proverbs 28:26; Ecclesiastes 8:5
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.
The application of wisdom
It touches the whole person
1 Kings 3:12 In Hebrew, the “heart” represents the centre of human personality. See also Job 38:36; Psalm 51:6; Proverbs 2:2, Proverbs 16:23, Proverbs 22:17
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.
It results in right action
Colossians 4:5; James 3:13 See also Psalm 119:34; Proverbs 1:3, Proverbs 4:11, Proverbs 15:21, Proverbs 23:19; Jeremiah 4:22; Hosea 14:9; Romans 16:19; Ephesians 5:15; Colossians 1:9–10; James 3:14–17
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
It results in watchfulness
Matthew 25:1–10 See also Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 22:3 parallel Proverbs 27:12
Wisdom is necessary for leaders
Wisdom to govern
Proverbs 8:15–16; Acts 6:3 See also Deuteronomy 1:13; 1 Kings 5:7; 1 Chronicles 22:12; Psalm 2:10, Psalm 105:22; Proverbs 28:2; Ecclesiastes 1:16; Isaiah 56:11; Jeremiah 3:15
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
Wisdom to administer justice
1 Kings 3:28 See also 1 Kings 3:9 parallel 2 Chronicles 1:10; Psalm 37:30; Proverbs 20:26, Proverbs 24:23; Matthew 24:45 parallel Luke 12:42; 1 Corinthians 6:5
When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
The teaching of wisdom
The wise give instruction
Ecclesiastes 12:9 See also Psalm 37:30, Psalm 49:3; Proverbs 1:20–21, Proverbs 5:1, Proverbs 8:1, Proverbs 16:21, Proverbs 31:26; Daniel 11:33; 1 Corinthians 2:6–7; Colossians 1:28, Colossians 3:16
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
The wise listen to instruction
Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 15:31 See also Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 10:8, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 15:12, Proverbs 19:20
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Examples of those endowed with wisdom
Acts 7:10 Joseph; Deuteronomy 1:15 the elders of Israel; Deuteronomy 34:9 Joshua; 2 Samuel 14:20; Psalm 78:72; 1 Kings 3:16–28, 1 Kings 4:29–34, 1 Kings 10:4–8 parallel 2 Chronicles 9:3–7; 1 Chronicles 22:12–13; Matthew 12:42 parallel Luke 11:31; Ezra 7:25 Ezra; Isaiah 11:2 the Messiah; Daniel 1:17 Daniel and his three friends; Daniel 2:19–23, Daniel 2:27–28, Daniel 5:11–12; 2 Peter 3:15 Paul
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.