He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a buckler to them that
walk uprightly. (Proverbs 2:6-7)But remember, this spiritual wisdom available to all believers is not the same as the gift of the
word of wisdom. The word of wisdom is a special ability given by God through the Holy Spirit.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Study the references made by Paul to wisdom: I Corinthians 2:1-13. What are the differences
between the two wisdoms of which he writes? The word of wisdom was operative in his life.
See II Peter 3:15-16; I Corinthians 2:4-8.
Wisdom was evident in the ministry of Stephen: Acts 6:3,10
King Solomon was the best example of wisdom in the Old Testament: I Kings 3:5- 28
Study the book of Proverbs. It was written by King Solomon and is the practical application of
spiritual wisdom.
Study James 3:17. List the characteristics of godly wisdom.
Study these examples of the word of wisdom in operation:
- Luke 2:40-52; 21:15
- Acts 5:26- 33
(observe wisdom in the statement "we ought to obey God rather than men"). - Deuteronomy 34:9
- Exodus 36:1- 2
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit...(I Corinthians 12:8)The word of knowledge is the ability to understand things which others do not know and cannot
comprehend and to share this knowledge with them under the inspiration of the Spirit. Like the
word of wisdom, it is not called "the gift of knowledge.” It is the gift of the "word of
knowledge.” It is not the total knowledge of God, but only a portion of His knowledge.
The source of this spiritual knowledge is God: