Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding



When it comes to knowledge and Wisdom we can get a lot of that through our Bible. But I'd specifically like to talk to you about the wisdom and knowledge referenced in Ephesians 1:15-23

Let's read it together through once and then we can go through it.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
So starting back at the top let's read again the beginning 3 verses.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Here I just love how Paul split this into 2 categories: wisdom and revelation. He explain epistemology without directly defining it.
In Philosophy (philosophia), which translates directly into the love of wisdom, there are 4 branches:

And for those philosophies that claim that there is truth there are 2 ways to learn these truths. And that's by wisdom - using concept formation, clues, senses to determine truths or revelation - direct word from God.
To give an example, if I want to know if it's raining outside I can use clues and my 5 senses to discover the truth. Like, I don't hear any rain and when I look around no one is wearing rain gear so I can determine that it is/wasn't raining outside. That's using wisdom to come to the truth.
If I want to know what Heaven will be like or the new Earth will be like, I can't use wisdom because there is nothing I can do to measure/observe heaven or the new earth. The only way I can know about it is through revelation, God telling me directly, which he does in his Word.
So the 2 ways we can know truths are given right in this verse. And you don't have to go to a philosophy textbook to find them, just your bible.

So what wisdom is out there? Where do we start?
Let's look at 4 verses to know where to start then we will see where we can expand on that wisdom.
First, Proverbs 4:7
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding
It's important to understand any wisdom you gain

Isaiah 11:2
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; Here we see wisdom, understanding, knowledge all work together. We also begin to see that wisdom has to do with the fear of the Lord.
Job 28: 12-28
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
That last first tells us the fear of the Lord is wisdom and understanding is departing from evil.

But one last verse Psalm 111:10
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever
The fear of the Lord is just the beginning of Wisdom! So yes, the fear of the Lord is important, but that's just the beginning. This is almost the extent of Godly wisdom known in those Old Testament times, so why is wisdom so important for us?

Let's go to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and we're gonna read it. But I want this connection to be made, that when you read the second half of Ephesians chapter 1, as we just did, that you also think of 1 Corinthians chapter 2. So we'll read it starting in verse 1 and going to verse 14

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This right here is the magic! Our wisdom, that we can have today in the dispensation of grace of God, starts, like in other dispensations, with the fear of God, but EXPANDS with the HIDDEN WISDOM of God that is now revealed! How awesome is that?! The wisdom we now have access to is something Moses, Abraham, even Job had no idea of.

Ephesians 3
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit
So let's see what some of that hidden wisdom is. Back to Ephesians 1 verse 18
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
His calling is partially explained in Romans 8:30
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
So the saints are justified and glorified, just like that. That is wisdom.

But notice that was God's calling. Everything his power does for us an unto us is HIS calling. We'll see what that is in the next verse, too. But let's compare that with OUR calling

Ephesians 4
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Your calling is what you do after you're saved. It's what YOU do. You should walk worthy, with meekness and longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the spirit in peace!
So, YOUR calling is what you do. Mainly, after you're saved and these verses tell you what that is. So, God's calling must be something HE does. Such as save you, place you in Christ, forgive your sins. And we'll talk about that with the next verse.

Back to verse 19
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
This "mighty power" and "exceeding greatness" works toward those who believe. So what does this might power do? Well, I'm just going to go through a list of all the things that happen when we believe

God's word exists Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
Hear the word Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Believe the word/gospel Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Trust Christ Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him
God saves you 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
Matthew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible
Old man crucified
crucified the flesh
buried in baptism
baptized into death
free from law, sin, death		 Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death
quickened
live in spirit
risen thru faith of God
life hid in God
new creation		 Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
sealed with Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit in us
Spirit dwells in us
Renewing of Holy Ghost
Spiritual circumcision		 Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Reconciled
Redemption
Atonement
Forgiveness
God's Righteousness		 Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Christ in us
God in us		 Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all
son
children of God
heir of God		 Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Translated into kingdom of son Sit together in heavenly places Partakers of inheritance Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Complete in Him Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Once saved always saved 2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Whew. God's MIGHTY POWER does ALL of that when we believe. That's a lot. And it is wisdom to know this stuff as no one else before Paul, and anyone who isn't saved, can never really understand, but WE CAN. It's a great gift, this hidden wisdom of God.
But what else is wisdom and understanding? Knowing that none of that stuff can be undone. Knowing that once your are saved, you are always saved. That is actually applying and understanding the wisdom that we are given.
And you can know that by questioning it and exploring it. If you could lose your salvation, all that stuff that was done by God's might power would have to be undone. What's mightier than God's might power that can undo all that? Tell me where the verse is that says our once forgiven sins can be unforgiven. Where is the verse that says that our life once hid in God has now been lost again? Where is the verse that says the Spirit that sealed us can leave and we are now unsealed? Where is that verse that says that now that we are sons of God we can be orphaned? And where is that verse that says the new creature that we are, can be killed off and our old man, which was crucified, can be brought back to life and we go back to living in it? There is no such verses! So understanding this wisdom is knowing that what we have learned cannot be undone. Praise the Lord.

Let's continue with verse 20
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Wow, let's combine this with other verses to get more wisdom. Using clues and revelation.
Where is Christ? Where is this heavenly place?
Well 2 Corinthians 12:2 says
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven
So we know there are 3 heavens.

And Ephesians 4:10 says
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things
So Jesus is all the way up here! More wisdom! I used Revelation given in his word and put concepts together to gain this wisdom.
Back to verse 20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

IN Christ is important. Do not read this as "by Christ" or "through Christ" or "using Christ". It was IN Christ! So if you want to experience this mighty power and understand this mighty power, where do you need to be?
IN CHRIST. And that's where we are as saints. - baptized into Christ as it says in Galatians 3:27
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Let's just read the last 2 verses:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

God has a purpose, a will, for doing this. We see in Ephesians 5:17 it says
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

It is wisdom and understanding to know what the will of the Lord is. Concerning this dispensation and your role in it and how you should live or journey.

So my final point I'd like to share is that the wisdom, and hidden wisdom, of God is a tag team effort. You read and use the knowledge you have and combine it with what the spirit reveals and you gain wisdom. Then you read the scripture again using the knowledge you gained and what the spirit reveals to gain even more wisdom. It's very circular, or better yet, a spiral.
How many of you have read all 13 books of Paul? And how many still learn something new each time you read through them? This is why it's important to continue to read and re-read scripture. You come to the table with new knowledge each time you read them which allows you to see more truth and allowing the spirit to reveal more.
You can't do it all yourself. No matter how many times you read the bible, if the spirit doesn't reveal things to you, you won't learn all of God's wisdom. Likewise no matter how much you act with love, attend church, follow God, if you don't read the bible to apply your wisdom, the spirit isn't going to just reveal things to you as you stand there. They work together.

In some philosophy circles you'll hear what's called The spiral theory of knowledge.
You start with your base knowledge. Then you read the scripture and allow the spirit to reveal more. Now you have a new base of wisdom. You read the scripture again using what you've learned AND allowing the spirit to reveal more. Now you gain wisdom and have a greater base for next time.

Thanks you for exploring the wisdom of God with me and I hope you're able to use this in your future studies. Thank you.