Lexical Summary sophia: Wisdom Original Word: σοφία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wisdom. From sophos; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) -- wisdom. see GREEK sophos HELPS Word-studies 4678 sophía (cf. saphēs, "clear") – wisdom (properly, "clarity"). [4678 (sophía) is the root of the English terms, "sophistication" and "philosophy" – literally (respectively), "the art of using wisdom," "affection for wisdom."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sophos Definition skill, wisdom NASB Translation cleverness (1), learning (1), wisdom (49). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4678: σοφίασοφία, σοφίας, ἡ (σοφός), Hebrew חָכְמָה, wisdom, broad and full intelligence (from Homer down); used of the knowledge of very diverse matters, so that the shade of meaning in which the word is taken must be discovered from the context in every particular case. a. the wisdom which belongs to men: universally, Luke 2:40, 52; specifically, the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs, as was ἡ σοφία τοῦ Σολομῶνος, Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31; the science and learning τῶν Αἰγυπτίων, Acts 7:22 (cf. Winers Grammar, 227 (213) n.; Buttmann, § 134, 6); the art of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice, Acts 7:10; the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision, Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:9; skill in the management of affairs, Acts 6:3; a devout and proper prudence in contact with men not disciples of Christ, Colossians 4:5; skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth, Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16; (2 Peter 3:15); the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living, James 1:5; James 3:13, 17; with which σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη is put in contrast the σοφία ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης, such as is the craftiness of envious and quarrelsome men. James 3:15, or σαρκικῇ σοφία (see σαρκικός, 1), craftiness, 2 Corinthians 1:12 (for the context shows that it does not differ essentially from the πανουργία of b. supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God: Revelation 7:12, also to Christ, exalted to God's right hand, Revelation 5:12; the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing his counsels, Romans 11:33; with the addition of τοῦ Θεοῦ, as manifested in the formation and government of the world, and to the Jews, moreover, in the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 1:21; it is called πολυποίκιλος from the great variety of ways and methods by which he devised and achieved salvation through Christ, Ephesians 3:10. In the noteworthy passage, Luke 11:49 (where Christ ascribes to 'the wisdom of God' what in the parallel, Matthew 23:34, he utters himself), the words ἡ σοφία τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶπεν seem to denote the wisdom of God which is operative and embodied as it were in Jesus, so that the primitive Christians, when to comfort themselves under persecution they recalled the saying of Christ, employed that formula of quotation (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30,etc.); but Luke, in ignorance of this fact, took the phrase for a part of Christ's saying. So Eusebius (h. e. 3, 32, 8), perhaps in the words of Hegesippus, calls those who had personally heard Christ οἱ αὐταῖς ἀκοαῖς τῆς ἐνθεου σοφίας ἐπακοῦσαι κατηξιώμενοι; cf. Grimm in the Studien und Kritiken for 1853, p. 332ff. (For other explanations of the phenomenon, see the commentaries on Luke, the passage cited Cf. Schürer, Zeitgesch. § 33, V. 1 and references.) Strong’s Greek 4678 (sophia) speaks of wisdom—insight that grasps reality as God sees it and moves in harmony with His will. In Scripture it ranges from the skill of practical living to the eternal counsel embodied in Christ, the Word made flesh. Wisdom in the Life and Teaching of Jesus The Synoptic Gospels introduce Jesus as the unparalleled bearer of wisdom. Crowds marvel at the “wisdom and miracles” issuing from Him (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2). Luke records that the boy Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52), highlighting a fully human progression while signalling divine endowment. When critics condemned His table-fellowship, Jesus answered, “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Luke 7:35). His works prove true heavenly wisdom despite human misjudgment. The Queen of Sheba embodied humanity’s search for wisdom, yet “something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). Wisdom Granted to Christ’s Witnesses Luke’s second volume shows the risen Lord continuing to grant wisdom for mission: • Deacons are chosen for being “full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Pauline Theology: The Cross Versus Worldly Wisdom 1 Corinthians contains the densest cluster of occurrences, framing a decisive contrast: • The cross “is foolishness to those who are perishing” yet “to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul distinguishes two kinds of sophia: the passing wisdom of this age and the “hidden wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). Preaching must therefore rest “not on man’s wisdom but on the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). Yet mature believers do speak wisdom—illumined by the Spirit, not philosophy. Wisdom as a Spiritual Gift “To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 12:8). This charisma enables timely, Spirit-directed application of truth in complex situations, complementing knowledge (gnosis) with God-honoring direction. Wisdom in Prison and Pastoral Letters • Paul celebrates the gospel’s lavish grace “with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:8) and prays that believers receive “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom in James: Two Kinds of Source and Fruit James confronts a church tempted by jealousy and ambition. “This is not the wisdom that comes from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:15). Heavenly wisdom, in contrast, “is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere” (James 3:17). The way to obtain it remains simple: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5). Wisdom in Revelation: Doxology and Discernment The heavenly chorus ascribes to the Lamb “wisdom” (Revelation 5:12), affirming His worthiness to open God’s purposes. The elders likewise praise “wisdom” among seven attributes of God’s glory (Revelation 7:12). Discernment is required on earth: “Here is wisdom: Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast” (Revelation 13:18; cf. 17:9). Old Testament Background In the Septuagint sophia translates Hebrew ḥokmah, the practical and spiritual skill celebrated in Proverbs, Job, and the Wisdom literature. By the New Testament era Jewish tradition sometimes personified Wisdom (Sirach 24; Wisdom of Solomon 7-9). The apostles affirm that this personification finds concrete, historical fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christ the Embodiment and Treasure of Wisdom Every use of sophia ultimately converges on Christ: • He possesses inherent wisdom as the eternal Logos. Thus believers neither disdain intellectual rigor nor idolize it. They glory in a Wisdom who was crucified, resurrected, and enthroned. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Leadership selection must consider spiritual wisdom (Acts 6:3). Summary Strong’s 4678 traces a biblical storyline in which wisdom moves from an attribute celebrated in Israel, to a messianic expectation, to full embodiment in Jesus Christ, and finally to a Spirit-given resource for the church’s witness and holiness. True wisdom brings glory to God, equips believers for every good work, and will be perfectly vindicated when the Lamb receives eternal praise for His wisdom. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 11:19 N-NFSGRK: ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν NAS: Yet wisdom is vindicated KJV: sinners. But wisdom is justified of INT: was justified the wisdom by the Matthew 12:42 N-AFS Matthew 13:54 N-NFS Mark 6:2 N-NFS Luke 2:40 N-DFS Luke 2:52 N-DFS Luke 7:35 N-NFS Luke 11:31 N-AFS Luke 11:49 N-NFS Luke 21:15 N-AFS Acts 6:3 N-GFS Acts 6:10 N-DFS Acts 7:10 N-AFS Acts 7:22 N-DFS Romans 11:33 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 1:17 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 1:19 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 1:20 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 1:21 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 1:21 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 1:22 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 1:24 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 1:30 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 2:1 N-GFS 1 Corinthians 2:4 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4678 |
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