Wisdom, a profound understanding and application of knowledge, is a cherished virtue throughout the Bible. The scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of seeking divine wisdom, portraying it as a source of guidance, discernment, and a path to a flourishing life.In this compilation, we explore 30 Bible verses about wisdom, each accompanied by a commentary.
As readers reflect on these verses, may they be inspired to pursue the timeless wisdom found in God’s Word, recognizing it as the key to a purposeful and enlightened journey.
Bible verses about wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV):
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Commentary: Proverbs 1:7 establishes a foundational principle—the fear of the Lord as the starting point of true wisdom. This verse challenges believers to embrace a reverent awe of God, acknowledging it as the gateway to genuine knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 (NKJV):
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Commentary: Proverbs 2:6 attributes wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to the Lord. This verse challenges believers to recognize God as the ultimate source of wisdom, drawing from His infinite knowledge and understanding.
James 1:5 (NKJV):
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Commentary: James 1:5 extends an invitation to seek wisdom from God, emphasizing His generous and unreserved willingness to provide. This verse challenges believers to approach God with humility, requesting the wisdom needed for navigating life’s complexities.
Proverbs 3:13 (NKJV):
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.”
Commentary: Proverbs 3:13 links happiness to the discovery of wisdom and the acquisition of understanding. This verse challenges believers to actively seek wisdom, recognizing it as a pathway to a joy-filled and fulfilled life.
Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV):
“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
Commentary: Proverbs 4:7 declares the primacy of wisdom and urges believers to prioritize its acquisition. This verse challenges individuals to make the pursuit of wisdom a central focus, emphasizing the integral role of understanding in the journey of life.
Proverbs 8:11 (NKJV):
“For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”
Commentary: Proverbs 8:11 extols the surpassing value of wisdom, emphasizing its incomparable worth. This verse challenges believers to recognize the immeasurable treasure found in wisdom, transcending the allure of worldly desires.
Proverbs 16:16 (NKJV):
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
Commentary: Proverbs 16:16 draws a contrast between the value of wisdom and material wealth, highlighting the superiority of the former. This verse challenges believers to prioritize the pursuit of wisdom over the fleeting allure of earthly riches.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NKJV):
“For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.”
Commentary: Ecclesiastes 7:12 likens wisdom to a defense, acknowledging its protective and life-giving qualities. This verse challenges believers to view wisdom as a source of security and vitality, surpassing the protective function of wealth.
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV):
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Commentary: Colossians 3:16 links the indwelling of the word of Christ with wisdom, encouraging believers to engage in mutual instruction through worship. This verse challenges individuals to immerse themselves in God’s Word, allowing it to cultivate wisdom and grace in their hearts.
Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV):
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Commentary: Proverbs 9:10 reiterates the foundational role of the fear of the Lord in the pursuit of wisdom, emphasizing understanding as a product of knowing the Holy One. This verse challenges believers to anchor their quest for wisdom in a deep reverence for God, recognizing Him as the source of true understanding.
Job 28:28 (NKJV):
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'”
Commentary: Job 28:28 echoes the sentiment that the fear of the Lord constitutes wisdom, with understanding manifested in turning away from evil. This verse challenges believers to embrace a lifestyle marked by both wisdom and discernment, rooted in reverence for God.
Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV):
“Through wisdom, a house is built, And by understanding, it is established; By knowledge, the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”
Commentary: Proverbs 24:3-4 illustrates the constructive power of wisdom and understanding in building a stable and enriched life. This verse challenges believers to actively engage in the process of building their lives on the foundation of Godly wisdom, resulting in lasting and valuable blessings.
Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV):
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
Commentary: Ephesians 1:17 presents a prayer for believers to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation, underscoring the intimate connection between knowing God and possessing wisdom. This verse challenges individuals to seek a deepening knowledge of God as a pathway to acquiring divine wisdom.
1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV):
“Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
Commentary: 1 Kings 3:9 captures Solomon’s request for an understanding heart, highlighting the discernment necessary for wise leadership. This verse challenges believers to approach God with humility, seeking wisdom for the responsible stewardship of their roles and responsibilities.
Proverbs 13:10 (NKJV):
“By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.”
Commentary: Proverbs 13:10 contrasts the destructive nature of pride with the wisdom found in seeking counsel. This verse challenges believers to embrace humility, recognizing the transformative power of wise counsel in fostering harmony and understanding.
Proverbs 19:8 (NKJV):
“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.”
Commentary: Proverbs 19:8 links the pursuit of wisdom with self-love and the discovery of goodness through understanding. This verse challenges believers to view the acquisition and retention of wisdom as an act of self-care, leading to a life marked by goodness.
Bible verses about wisdom
James 3:17 (NKJV):
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Commentary: James 3:17 describes the characteristics of heavenly wisdom, emphasizing its purity, peaceability, gentleness, and other virtues. This verse challenges believers to assess the source of their wisdom, striving for a wisdom that reflects the divine attributes listed.
Proverbs 14:33 (NKJV):
“Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.”
Commentary: Proverbs 14:33 connects wisdom with understanding, suggesting that true wisdom is evident in the heart. This verse challenges believers to cultivate understanding as a foundation for wisdom, recognizing that the inner disposition reveals the authenticity of one’s wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV):
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
Commentary: 1 Corinthians 1:30 identifies Christ as the embodiment of God-given wisdom, encompassing righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This verse challenges believers to find their ultimate source of wisdom in Christ, acknowledging His transformative role in every aspect of life.
Proverbs 15:33 (NKJV):
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.”
Commentary: Proverbs 15:33 reinforces the connection between the fear of the Lord and the instruction of wisdom, emphasizing the prerequisite of humility for obtaining honor. This verse challenges believers to embrace humility as a foundational posture in their pursuit of wisdom, recognizing that true honor follows a heart submitted to God.
Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV):
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.”
Commentary: Proverbs 19:20 underscores the value of heeding counsel and receiving instruction as a pathway to wisdom in later years. This verse challenges believers to remain teachable throughout their lives, recognizing the ongoing importance of learning and growing in wisdom.
Proverbs 20:3 (NKJV):
“It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.”
Commentary: Proverbs 20:3 extols the virtue of avoiding unnecessary strife, emphasizing the honorable nature of peace. This verse challenges believers to exercise wisdom by choosing the path of peace and restraint, recognizing that not every conflict is worth engaging in.
Proverbs 23:23 (NKJV):
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
Commentary: Proverbs 23:23 likens the pursuit of truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding to a valuable acquisition. This verse challenges believers to recognize the priceless nature of these virtues, emphasizing their enduring worth.
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 (NKJV):
“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.”
Commentary: 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 contrasts the wisdom of the world with the hidden wisdom of God, ordained for the glory of believers. This verse challenges believers to discern between worldly wisdom and the divine wisdom that holds eternal significance.
Proverbs 24:14 (NKJV):
“So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.”
Commentary: Proverbs 24:14 connects the knowledge of wisdom to the well-being of the soul, promising a hopeful and secure future. This verse challenges believers to cherish the knowledge of wisdom, recognizing its transformative impact on the soul and the assurance it brings to their hope.
Proverbs 28:26 (NKJV):
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”
Commentary: Proverbs 28:26 warns against trusting in one’s own heart, designating it as foolish, and emphasizes the deliverance that comes through walking wisely. This verse challenges believers to rely on God’s wisdom rather than their own understanding, acknowledging the safety found in walking in alignment with divine guidance.
Proverbs 29:3 (NKJV):
“Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.”
Commentary: Proverbs 29:3 associates the love of wisdom with bringing joy to a father, contrasting it with the wastefulness of destructive companionship. This verse challenges believers to prioritize the pursuit of wisdom, recognizing its positive impact on relationships and life choices.
Proverbs 30:24-28 (NKJV):
“There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags; The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces.”
Commentary: Proverbs 30:24-28 highlights the wisdom displayed by seemingly insignificant creatures, challenging believers to glean lessons from the diligence and resourcefulness of the ant, the rock badger, the locust, and the spider. This verse encourages believers to recognize that wisdom can be found in unexpected places and forms.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NKJV):
“If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.”
Commentary: Ecclesiastes 10:10 employs the analogy of a dull ax to illustrate the increased effort required without wisdom, contrasting it with the success that wisdom brings. This verse challenges believers to value the sharpening influence of wisdom, recognizing its capacity to enhance effectiveness and bring about success.
Colossians 2:2-3 (NKJV):
“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Commentary: Colossians 2:2-3 underscores the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ, emphasizing the importance of understanding and the assurance it brings. This verse challenges believers to find ultimate wisdom in Christ, recognizing the richness and fullness that comes from knowing the mystery of God.
Conclusion: Bible verses about wisdom
These 30 Bible verses about wisdom, accompanied by detailed commentaries, provide a comprehensive exploration of the scriptural teachings on the pursuit and value of divine wisdom. Woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, the theme of wisdom emerges as a transformative force that guides, protects, and enriches the lives of believers. May readers find inspiration, encouragement, and a renewed commitment to seek and embrace the wisdom that flows from God, recognizing its profound impact on their journey of faith.
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