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I. HOW ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND THIS?

1. Objectively. As He alone is the object about which all true wisdom is conversant (Colossians 2:3). Wisdom is either Divine or human, the wisdom of God or of men. He is the wisdom of God, as the power of God (chap. 1 Corinthians 1:24), because the Divine power and the Divine wisdom were never so manifest in anything that ever He did as they were in Christ, that is, in the great work of our redemption by Him. All His works are made in wisdom (Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19). He governs the world in wisdom, wisely ordering all events to the great end of His own glory and His people's good. But above all, in our redemption by Christ. In Ephesians 3:10 it is called the manifold wisdom of God, such as angels wonder at. He alone is the object of all our true wisdom. There are other things about which wisdom is conversant, but none like Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; Philippians 3:7, 8).

2. Effectively, as He is the author and finisher of all that in us which is true wisdom. Now, that is grace; grace is true wisdom, and nothing else is so. How is it said He is made unto us of God wisdom?

(1)  in respect of eternal appointment and designation.

(2)  In respect of effectual application, in the fulness of time.What are the special acts of this wisdom, by which it may appear whether we are so turned, so made wise?

(1) If Christ be made unto us wisdom, we have been in some measure convinced of our own folly; this is the first step (1 Corinthians 3:18). A fool thinks himself wise (Proverbs 26:12). As the Pharisees (John 9:40). A wise man knows himself a fool, as David (Psalm 73:22). Agur (Proverbs 30:2, 3). Now inquire, How is it with me? What is the opinion I have of myself?

(2) If Christ be made unto us wisdom, we are brought to see the excellency and usefulness of wisdom, and begin to prize it at a high rate, and to beg it of God rather than anything else in the world.

(3) If Christ be made unto us wisdom, we have chosen God for our chief good and highest end, and the Lord Jesus Christ as our alone way to Him. If so, we are wise; if not, to this day we are fools. The proper act of wisdom is to determine the choice to right ends; as in other things, so in spiritual things, the things of the soul. Inquire what is your chief good and highest end.

(4) If Christ be made unto us wisdom, it hath taught us to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil (Job 38:28). There is this difference between wisdom and knowledge — knowledge is in speculatives, wisdom is in practice. Many have a great deal of the former that have none of the latter; good heads, but bad hearts and bad lives. See the properties of heavenly wisdom (James 3:17). It was thus with David (Psalm 119:98-101; Ephesians 5:15, 16).

(5) If Christ be made unto us wisdom, it hath made the things of time to be as nothing to us, and the things of eternity to be all in all; it has altered our thoughts and pursuits. What are the good things temporal, riches, honour, pleasure, in comparison with the good things eternal?

II. THE PRACTICAL INFERENCES. If Christ be made wisdom to those that are in Him, and only to those, then —

1. They that are not in Him are not wise. Nabal is their name, and folly is with them. Christless people are fools. I prove it by three arguments:(1) They choose like fools. Is he not a fool, that when a pebble is offered to him by one and a pearl by another chooses the pebble and refuses the pearl? Was not Esau a fool in parting with his birthright for a mess of pottage?

(2) They count like fools. They count themselves wise, and religious people a company of fools, when themselves are the fools, and the religious wise (John 7:48, 49; Luke 18:10). They count upon time to come as their own, and presume accordingly; when, alas! it is not so. They count upon going to heaven when they die, but are miserably mistaken.

(3). They carry it like fools. The carriage of a fool is vain and frothy; there is no seriousness in him. He carries it like a fool that hugs his worst enemy to his bosom, and turns his back upon his best friend; and doth not the sinner so?

2. They that are sensible of their want of wisdom, and would be wise, may learn hence whither to go, and what to do, that they may attain it. The way is to apply thyself to the blessed Jesus, who is made unto us of God wisdom. And plead this text — Lord, art Thou not made unto us of God wisdom? What need is there of this plea? Universal need, every day, in everything. They that have most have need of more.

(1) We cannot carry it as we should in any relation without wisdom, neither as superiors, inferiors, nor equals. What need have magistrates of wisdom (Psalm 2:9)! A conviction of this made Solomon ask as he did (1 Kings 3:7-10). Ministers arc in the same situation (Colossians 1:28). What a plague are foolish shepherds (Zechariah 11:15). So are masters of families, husbands, wives, parents.

(2) Nor can we carry it as we should, in any condition, without wisdom. If we prosper and thrive in the world, there is need of wisdom, to manage it so that we be not ensnared, not destroyed by it. If in affliction it is necessary, that we may keep the mean between fainting and despising.

(3) Nor can we carry it as we should in any duty to be done to God or man without wisdom. If we pray, we need wisdom that we do not ask amiss.

(4) Nor can we carry it as we should in any difficult case that lies before us, nor tell how to determine for the best, without wisdom (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

3. Here is matter of unspeakable comfort to all true believers, that Jesus Christ is made wisdom, that is, as some interpret it, that all that infinite wisdom that is in Him as God, and all that infused wisdom which He had as God-man wherein He grew (Luke 2:52), is all made over to us, to be employed for our good.Apply it —

(1) To our particular, private affairs, especially in the great turns of our lives. If thou art in Christ, He will order them for thee, and He will order them wisely (Ephesians 1:11), according to the counsel of His will. Therefore submit to His disposals quietly, patiently; of choice, cheerfully; wisdom would have it so.

(2) To the public affairs of the Church and nation.

(Philip Henry.)

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KJV: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

WEB: but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.