Week 5 Of Wisdom and Mysteries
Maybe when we can't figure it out it's because it isn't His answer we seek.
“God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.”
Wayne Grudem
Passage
2For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
1 Corinthians 2:2–7 (NASB95)
Background
Quote-First Wayne A. Grudem (born 1948) is a New Testament scholar turned theologian, seminary professor, and author. He co-founded the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and served as the general editor of the ESV Study Bible.
Grudem was born on February 11, 1948, in Jim Falls, Wisconsin. As a child, he attended First Baptist Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He holds a BA in economics from Harvard University, an MDiv and D.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament studies from the University of Cambridge. In 2001, Grudem became Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary. Prior to that, he had taught for 20 years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he was chairman of the department of biblical and systematic theology.
Grudem served on the committee overseeing the English Standard Version translation of the Bible, and from 2005 to 2008 he served as general editor for the 2.1-million-word ESV Study Bible (which was named "2009 Christian Book of the Year" by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association). In 1999 he was the president of the Evangelical Theological Society.[4] Grudem announced having been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease on December 22, 2015.
Passage-First The book of 1st Corinthians is a Pauline Epistle (letter from Paul). The Apostle Paul wrote it about 56 A.D. The key personalities of this book are the Apostle Paul, Timothy and also Chloe’s household. Paul’s purpose in writing this letter to the church in Corinth was to address and correct the immorality and divisions that had arisen among them.
"The Wisdom of God" by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Lesson Notes
Opening Statement
Intelligence, common sense, smarts, wisdom. These are words we apply to the idea of knowing the right thing to do in any given situation. But, we can’t know everything. That means in some situations we won’t know what to do. In other situations no matter how hard we try we won’t be able to figure it out either. Sometimes that means we aren’t working to a solution He approves of.
Ask: What is wisdom?
Point: Please read the following:
7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV 1900)
Ask: Every translation of the Bible lists this passage as “The fear of the Lord” except the Amplified and the Contemporary English Version (NOT the Common English Bible. If Fear is not a spirit of God, why does King Solomon tell us fear is the beginning of Wisdom?
Point: The Amplified adds the definition of “reverent” while he Contemporary English Version uses the following translation. Please read the following:
7Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
Prov 1:7 (CEV) from Biblehub.com
Ask: Call “fear of the Lord” respect or reverence doesn’t really answer the question, does it?
Point: Please read the following:
1My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,
2Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
3For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
4If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God.
6For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:1–6 (NASB95)
Ask: Can we boil down that last passage into a single word?
Point: Yes. Study.
Ask: Study what?
Point: The Bible.
Ask: Why?
Point: We want wisdom but that still doesn’t answer the initial question of what wisdom is even though the scriptural answer is “fear of the Lord.”
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
3To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;
4To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.
Proverbs 1:1–6 (NASB95)
Ask: Is there a chain of words in that passage that leads from one to the other to get to wisdom?
Point: Yes. Instruction to Discern to Knowledge to Discretion to Hear to Understand to Wisdom.
Ask: If it is wise to follow God’s ways and wisdom to adhere to His commandments why does that sometimes seem contradictory to what other people tell us is right?
Point: Because God’s ways are not Man’s ways. Because worldly people follow worldly ways, not God’s ways. Please read the following:
6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
1 Corinthians 2:6–8 (NASB95)
Ask: “…they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Who is the “…Lord of glory?”
Point: Jesus.
Ask: If “…God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom…” is hidden and a mystery how are we supposed to discern it or learn it?
Point: Please read the following:
9but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (NASB95)
Isaiah 64:4; 65:17
Ask: “I study and read the Bible and still I don’t understand the answers to the questions I’m asking. How do I get the Spirit to lead me?”
Point: Prayer.
Ask: “I don’t know what to ask for in prayer. What do I do?”
Point: Please read the following:
7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:7–8 (NASB95)
Closing Statement
The mysteries of life sometimes come as questions and other times as difficulties or storms. We struggle to find answers or ways to cope with things. God gives us a path to those answers but only through His ways, His processes. Prayer asking the Holy Spirit for guidance is a first step, but we must have ears to hear answers that aren’t our preconceived notions of what we want. We must be willing to listen for the steps that follow a path to what He wants and be willing to set our feet firmly on that path. If we are willing to walk in His ways to His goals, hope enters into the equation. When our hope is in Him, all things are possible.
Questions for the Week
Question 1 Read through the definitions and contemplate how God’s steps to wisdom fit in with your discernment process today.
Question 2 Make a plan of intentional prayer this week, at least once every day. This is prayer on purpose specifically because of this question, at least once a day.
Question 3 Read all of 1 Corinthians 2 in your favorite translation, or on the included passages at the end of this lesson.
Question 4 After reading 1 Corinthians 2 spend at least fifteen minutes of intentional time considering that scripture in light of this lesson.
Question 5 Write in your journal as much or as little as you are led to write concerning your discernment process, the things the Holy Spirit has focused on this week, and those points in 1 Corinthians 2 highlighted in your studies.
Definitions
instruction
[ in-struhk-shuhn ]
noun
the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.
knowledge or information imparted.
an item of such knowledge or information.
Usually instructions. orders or directions: The instructions are on the back of the box.
the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.
Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.
discern
[ dih-surn, -zurn ]
verb (used with object)
to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend: They discerned a sail on the horizon.
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
verb (used without object)
to distinguish or discriminate.
knowledge
[ nol-ij ]
noun
acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition: knowledge of many things.
familiarity or conversance, as with a particular subject or branch of learning: A knowledge of accounting was necessary for the job.
acquaintance or familiarity gained by sight, experience, or report: a knowledge of human nature.
the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension.
awareness, as of a fact or circumstance: He had knowledge of her good fortune.
something that is or may be known; information: He sought knowledge of her activities.
the body of truths or facts accumulated in the course of time.
the sum of what is known: Knowledge of the true situation is limited.
Archaic. sexual intercourse. Compare carnal knowledge.
adjective
creating, involving, using, or disseminating special knowledge or information: A computer expert can always find a good job in the knowledge industry.
discretion
[ dih-skresh-uhn ]
noun
the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice: It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay.
the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one's own actions or speech; prudence or decorum: Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted out the truth.
hear
[ heer ]
verb (used with object), heard [hurd], hear·ing.
to perceive by the ear: Didn't you hear the doorbell?
to learn by the ear or by being told; be informed of: to hear news.
to listen to; give or pay attention to: They refused to hear our side of the argument.
to be among the audience at or of (something):to hear a recital.
to give a formal, official, or judicial hearing to (something); consider officially, as a judge, sovereign, teacher, or assembly: to hear a case.
to take or listen to the evidence or testimony of (someone):to hear the defendant.
to listen to with favor, assent, or compliance.
(of a computer) to perceive by speech recognition.
verb (used without object), heard [hurd], hear·ing.
to be capable of perceiving sound by the ear; have the faculty of perceiving sound vibrations.
to receive information by the ear or otherwise: to hear from a friend.
to listen with favor, assent, or compliance (often followed by of):I will not hear of your going.
(of a computer) to be capable of perceiving by speech recognition.
(used as an interjection in the phrase Hear! Hear! to express approval, as of a speech).
understand
[ uhn-der-stand ]
verb (used with object), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.
to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend: to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
to be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of: to understand a trade.
to assign a meaning to; interpret: He understood her suggestion as a complaint.
to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of: He does not understand responsibility.
to regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled: I understand that you will repay this loan in 30 days.
to learn or hear: I understand that you are going out of town.
to accept as true; believe: I understand that you are trying to be truthful, but you are wrong.
to construe in a particular way: You are to understand the phrase literally.
to supply mentally (something that is not expressed).
verb (used without object), un·der·stood, un·der·stand·ing.
to perceive what is meant; grasp the information conveyed: She told them about it in simple words, hoping they would understand.
to accept tolerantly or sympathetically: I f you can't do it, I'll understand.
to have knowledge or background, as on a particular subject: He understands about boats.
to have a systematic interpretation or rationale, as in a field or area of knowledge: He can repeat every rule in the book, but he just doesn't understand.
wisdom
[ wiz-duhm ]
noun
the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
scholarly knowledge or learning: the wisdom of the schools.
wise sayings or teachings; precepts.
a wise act or saying.
(initial capital letter)Douay Bible. Wisdom of Solomon.
About Proverbs Chapter 1 from Halley’s Bible Handbook
Proverbs Chapter 1. The Object of the Book. To promote wisdom, discipline, understanding, righteousness, justice, equity, prudence, knowledge, discretion, learning, guidance (vv. 2–7). What splendid words! Wisdom (found 41 times in the book) is more than knowledge and insight; it includes skill in living a morally sound life. It can also include skill at a craft (in Exodus 31:3, for example, “skill” is the same word as “wisdom”).
The starting point is the fear of God (Proverbs 1:7); next, paying attention to parental instruction (vv. 8–9) and avoiding bad companions (vv. 10–19). Wisdom cries aloud her warnings, but if these warnings are ignored, the consequences are dire indeed (vv. 20–33).
Henry Hampton Halley, Halley’s Bible Handbook with the New International Version., Completely rev. and expanded. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 349.
1 Corinthians 2
1And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
2For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
9but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:1–16 (NASB95)
Who is Henry Hampton Halley
And
Halley’s Bible Handbook?
Henry Hampton Halley (April 10, 1874 – May 23, 1965) was an American Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister and religious writer. He was best known as author of Halley's Bible Handbook, first published in 1924.
Halley was born in Kentucky in 1874, and graduated from Transylvania University and the College of the Bible in 1895. Halley's career as a preacher began in 1899. He married Margaret "Madge" Alberta Gillie and they had four children.
Halley began his Bible Handbook in 1924, at which point it was only a 16-page pamphlet of introductory material, called "Suggestions for Bible Study". After Halley distributed 10,000 free copies, he published a second edition that had grown to 32 pages. Each edition saw growth and Halley did not charge until it reached 100 pages. Until 1941, Halley supported his ministry and his publications through donations. During World War II, Halley stopped travelling to preach and put together his Bible handbook: "An Abbreviated Bible Commentary, Amazing Archaeological Discoveries, How We Got the Bible, An Epitome of Church History, Select Bible Verses." It was printed by Rand McNally. When the publication rights were transferred to Zondervan in 1960, the handbook had already sold over 5 million copies.
Over a period of 10 years he spent at least 10,000 hours memorizing scripture in achieving one of the greatest feats of memorization of scripture known to man. He could recite a total of 25 hours of nothing but scripture, including narratives of every book from the longest to the shortest.
Halley was presented the Chicago Bible Society's Gutenberg Award in 1961.