Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "wiser" in the Bible is closely associated with the pursuit of wisdom, a highly esteemed virtue in the biblical tradition. Wisdom is often portrayed as a divine attribute that humans are encouraged to seek. The term "wiser" implies a comparative state, suggesting growth or advancement in wisdom, understanding, and discernment.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, wisdom is frequently linked to the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This verse underscores the foundational role that reverence for God plays in becoming wiser. The Book of Proverbs, attributed largely to King Solomon, is replete with exhortations to seek wisdom and become wiser.
Proverbs 1:5 advises, "Let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel."
The narrative of Solomon himself is a prime example of one who became wiser through divine intervention. In
1 Kings 3:12 , God grants Solomon wisdom, saying, "Behold, I have done as you requested. I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you." Solomon's wisdom is demonstrated in his judgments and governance, making him renowned throughout the ancient world.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ is depicted as the embodiment of divine wisdom.
Colossians 2:3 declares, "In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The teachings of Jesus often challenge conventional wisdom, urging His followers to adopt a heavenly perspective. In
Matthew 7:24 , Jesus likens those who heed His words to a wise man: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of spiritual wisdom. In
Ephesians 5:15-17 , he exhorts believers, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Here, wisdom is connected to living a life that aligns with God's will, making the most of one's time and opportunities.
Practical ApplicationThe pursuit of becoming wiser is a lifelong journey for believers.
James 1:5 offers encouragement, stating, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This promise highlights the accessibility of divine wisdom to those who earnestly seek it through prayer.
In practical terms, becoming wiser involves studying Scripture, seeking godly counsel, and applying biblical principles to everyday life. The wise person is characterized by humility, teachability, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. As
Proverbs 13:20 advises, "He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
ConclusionThe biblical call to become wiser is an invitation to grow in understanding and to align one's life with God's truth. Through reverence for the Lord, the study of His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to navigate the complexities of life with discernment and grace.
Greek
4680. sophos -- skilled, wise... clever. Word Origin a prim. word Definition skilled, wise NASB Word Usage
wise (16), wise man (2), wise men (1),
wiser (1). wise.
...Strong's Hebrew
2449. chakam -- to be wise... root Definition to be wise NASB Word Usage acting wisely (1), becomes (1),
been...wise (1), deal wisely (1), exceedingly (1), make me
wiser (1), makes us
wiser...2450. chakam -- wise
... 1), wailing women (1), who (1), who are wise (1), wise (64), wise man (21), wise
man's (2), wise men (22), wise son (1), wisehearted (1),wiser (2), wisest (1...
Library
Origin of the Devil, in the Criminal Excess of the Sorrow of...
... Chapter XXII."Origin of the Devil, in the Criminal Excess of the Sorrow of Achamoth
The Devil, Called Also Munditenens, ActuallyWiser Than the Demiurge...
Whether all Men Equally are Required to have Explicit Faith
... 3. Again, if the more simple minded are not required to have explicit faith, but
only implicit faith, they must have faith implicit in the faith of thewiser....
A Third Passage with which He Finds Fault is that in which I Gave...
... Moreover "The children of this world arewiser than the children of light," and
"The serpent waswiser than all the beasts which the Lord had made on the earth...
The Follies of the Wise
... LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV THE FOLLIES OF THE WISE. 'The children of this world are
in their generationwiser than the children of light.'"Luke 16:8....
Prayer.
... We shall ask Him to make us and our countrymenwiser and better, in order that we
may make other human beingswiser and better: and an eminently rational...
Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is...
... She rears her young the hundredth time as she did the first, by the long experience
none thewiser.... It grows notwiser with age nor the ages....
And Men are Easily Offended in a Matter of this Kind...
... the apostle: "Quod stultum est Dei, sapientius est hominibus, et quod infirmum est
Dei, fortius est hominibus" (Because the foolishness of God iswiser than men...
Let it be Granted, However, that There are Other Prophylactics...
... might quote the words of Solomon from the book of Proverbs, which run thus: "There
be four things which are little upon the earth, but these arewiser than the...
How Faulty Interpretations Can be Emended.
... of speech faulty in the Latin tongue, but it is ambiguous too, as if the meaning
might be, that the folly of men or the weakness of men iswiser or stronger...
Soul Winning
... the heat. Farwiser was he when he fashioned the enduring marble, and produced
works which will last all down the ages. But even...
Thesaurus
Wiser (11 Occurrences)...Wiser (11 Occurrences).
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS). 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the
foolishness of God is
wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
...Calcol (2 Occurrences)
... (1 Chronicles 2:6), sustenance, the same probably as Chalcol (1 Kings 4:31), one
of the four sages whom Solomon excelled in wisdom; for "he waswiser than all...
Learning (40 Occurrences)
... life. (BBE). Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be stillwiser.
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning....
Unjust (44 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:
for the children of this world are in their generationwiser than the children...
Unrighteous (32 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely:
for the sons of this world are for their own generationwiser than the...
Obscure (7 Occurrences)
... Surely, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you. (See NIV). Ezekiel 28:3
behold, thou artwiser than Daniel! nothing secret is obscure for thee; (DBY)....
Wisely (60 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 "His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely,
for the children of this world are, in their own generation,wiser than the...
Weakness (25 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness
of God iswiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men....
Wisest (2 Occurrences)
Wise-men (4 Occurrences)
Wise-men. Wisely, Wise-men.Wiser . Multi-Version Concordance Wise-men (4
Occurrences).... (WBS). Wisely, Wise-men.Wiser . Reference Bible.
Resources
Why is praying for others important? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I get wisdom from God? | GotQuestions.orgAre atheists more intelligent than believers? | GotQuestions.orgWiser: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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