Wisdom is a word we often hear, but we may be a little fuzzy on what it means. That’s especially true for guys who are seeking to follow Christ. As men who want to be godly husbands and supportive dads, we need to understand God’s idea of wisdom—not just popular culture’s definition of it.

So, what is wisdom in the Bible? You may not know the answer just yet, but it’s one of the smartest questions you can ask.

What wisdom means in the Bible

The concept of wisdom shows up in both the Old and New Testaments, which should give us a clue as to how important God believes it is. In the Old Testament, the most common Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah. On one level, it relates to having the skill to accomplish a task, but it also has an intellectual and ethical side that involves knowing what to do in each life situation.

In the New Testament, the most common Greek word is sophia. It carries much of the same general meaning as chokmah, but it adds the element of personal experience. That is, individuals gain wisdom by navigating the circumstances of their lives.

Of course, the ancient Hebrews and the early Christians weren’t the only ones interested in wisdom. Like today, every nation had its own principles of wisdom defined by its own set of respected wise men. As Christians, we have to remember to view wisdom from God’s point of view. We have to see and understand it from His perspective. 

In both testaments of the Bible, true wisdom is a gift from God. He provides it, and He teaches us how to use it.

7 Reasons Why You Need Biblical Wisdom

Before we dig into some of the biblical hallmarks and benefits of wisdom, it’s important to remember something. One common misconception is that wisdom is basically the same as knowledge. In our culture, we sometimes use the terms synonymously. But it’s not that way in the Bible.

We have to remember that knowledge is simply the acquisition of facts. It’s what we did for years in school, but we could get a doctorate in any given profession and still not be wise. Wisdom involves discernment—not just knowing the facts, but also knowing how to appropriately apply what we know to our current situation. 

Also, knowledge can come from all kinds of sources. But, as mentioned, God is the only Source for genuine wisdom. So, as we consider wisdom from God’s point of view, we have to ask, What is wisdom in the Bible? That’s His Word, and it’s how we will get a handle on true wisdom.

These characteristics of wisdom can serve as a filter for your daily walk. You can get an honest look at the role wisdom plays in your life—and take a first step toward making biblical wisdom a bigger part of your routine.

1. Wisdom Begins with God (Proverbs 1:7)

As mentioned, God is the ultimate Source of all wisdom. Throughout the book of Proverbs, God reveals different ways His wisdom plays out in real-life situations, but the book begins with a reminder that the fear (or respect) for the Lord is where it all starts. You can’t experience God’s wisdom without honoring the God who provides it.

2. Wisdom is free for the asking (Proverbs 9:1-6; James 1:5)

This is one of those truths that spans both the Old and New Testaments. In Proverbs 9, wisdom is personified as a gracious woman who opens her home to those in need. She emphasizes that anyone who truly seeks wisdom can find it. Centuries later, James taught his readers that anyone lacking wisdom can seek it from God—and He will provide it without holding anything back. It is His gift to those who are wise enough to ask for it.

3. Wisdom comes with God’s blessings (Proverbs 3:13-18)

In the ancient world, wisdom literature focused on success in life. But the question What is wisdom in the Bible? can’t be answered without including God. His ways define success for His people. In fact, genuine success can only be found in living as He designed and desires. Those who choose to embrace His wisdom—His way of living—find true contentment and satisfaction. They know that they are successful because they experience His blessings.

4. Believers are called to live out wisdom every day (Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 4:5)

In his letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians, Paul told his readers to live in wisdom and to avoid the foolishness that the world might throw their way. In those particular contexts, he was challenging them to make the best use of their time, since time is our most precious resource as people. But Scripture is filled with encouragement to live as wise men, making good and godly choices that produce positive outcomes for us, our marriages, and our families.

5. Our human wisdom will never match God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 1:24-25)

One of Satan’s oldest and most effective tricks is to create cheap imitations of God’s best. So, as you might expect, he has his own version of wisdom, and he’s been pushing it on humans since time began. But the Bible makes it clear that human wisdom can never measure up to God’s true wisdom—no matter how good it might sound. For example, in Proverbs 3, Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived!) warned us to avoid trusting in our own understanding and being wise in our own eyes.

6. Wisdom is worth any price (Proverbs 4:6-7)

As you consider biblical wisdom, it might be tempting to think the price is too high. I’m not going lie: It will require some sacrifice and some steps out of your comfort zone. Anything related to following Jesus comes with a price—but it’s always a price worth paying. And learning to live with biblical wisdom is priceless. 

7. Wisdom provides the only solid foundation for our lives (Matthew 7:24-27)

If you grew up in church, you probably sang about the wise man who built his house on a rock. That comes from a short parable Jesus told in Matthew 7. The point of His story was that wise people build their lives on a solid foundation—Him. Meanwhile, fools build on anything else they think will hold up. When the storm comes, you’ll want to be grounded in wisdom. That means being grounded in Christ.

Seek wisdom

Admittedly, this list only scratches the surface. The Bible has so much to say about wisdom that a single blog could never do it justice. So, let me encourage you to keep digging into the Scriptures to learn more about wisdom from God’s point of view.

Thankfully, He’s provided a great starting point. One set of books in the Old Testament is known as “wisdom literature.” Three of them—Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes—really go deep into God’s definition of wise living. Those three books are great springboards into seeing life from God’s perspective.


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