32 Bible Verses On Wisdom
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Use these 32 Bible verses on wisdom to use God’s Word to direct your path, finding more knowledge, understanding, patience, and joy.
It’s true that wisdom comes with experience. As we get older, we learn from past experiences what to do or what not to do. But wisdom is not only something that comes with age.
Even little ones can grow in wisdom every day. One child who reaches out to a hot stove will quickly learn not to do it again. But another may not be as quick to learn and could face a few blisters before they decide to stay away.
Wisdom is not only something we gain with experience. Wisdom is putting our understanding to use.
When we understand something, it is often associated with our knowledge.
- I know that the stove is hot.
- I know that something that hot is bound to hurt me.
- Wisdom comes in when I make use of my understanding or my experience with that hot stove and decide not to touch it.
There is abundant value in wisdom and the Bible mentions it often. Scripture tells us that wisdom is more valuable than gold. In other words, wisdom is of more significance than riches.
The book of Proverbs is often called the book of wisdom. Wisdom is the key word in this book of the Bible.
A definition of wisdom is “the ability to live life skillfully.” Many contrasts are made between the wise and the foolish. We see the stability and success of the wise compared to the harm and wavering that the foolish experience due to their lack of wisdom.
I will be sharing 32 various Bible verses on wisdom but before we get there, I believe it is important to share some of the very basis of scripture’s definition of wisdom.
These 5 Bible verses on wisdom give us a foundation when pursuing biblical wisdom.
All Bible verses are from the New International Version (NIV).
5 Key Bible Verses on Wisdom (32 More Below This!)
1. Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7
Solomon makes a stunning statement in the introduction to the book of Proverbs. He gives us the cornerstone to the entire book of wisdom.
True wisdom, biblical wisdom, not the wisdom of the world, lies in this one verse. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom or understanding, as some translations would use it.
The word “fear” is not meant as a sense of fright or horror that turns one away. Instead, it refers to reverence or respect. It is a “fear” or respect that brings one to submit and to honor.
What scripture is telling us is that true wisdom cannot exist apart from having reverence for God. Many people may be intelligent, but true, biblical wisdom is reserved only for those who have a reverent fear of God.
2. James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5
Wisdom is not something God only gives to some people who fear Him. It is something that He desires for all His people. Though some may possess more wisdom or understanding than others, and some may even have the spiritual gift of wisdom, it is available to every born-again believer to pursue.
James says plainly, if you lack wisdom, ask God to grant it to you. We all can grow in wisdom. It is something that we can never exhaust.
Because of our relationship with God, we can come to Him with confidence, asking Him to grant us wisdom and lead us in the way of understanding.
He isn’t stingy. He gives generously. You just have to ask.
3. Proverbs 2:6
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6
We learned from Proverbs 9:10 that true wisdom begins when we have reverence for God. As we continue in our walk with the Lord, we will find ourselves in many situations where our own understanding will fall short. In those situations, it is important to remember that He is the very source of wisdom.
We know from James 1:15 that He gives us wisdom when we ask of Him. This is because He not only possesses all wisdom, but He is wisdom embodied. Why is it important to know this about God?
Because when we don’t understand or when we can’t make sense of a situation, we can rest in the fact that He knows what He is doing and we can trust His thoughts and ways.
4. 1 Corinthians 3:18
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.”
1 Corinthians 3:18
As you read through Proverbs, you’ll quickly notice the parallels drawn between the wise and the foolish. The world has its own idea of what wisdom looks like and its own standards.
When we adhere to the standards of the world and perceive ourselves to be wise according to those standards, we deceive ourselves.
When it speaks of becoming fools, it is saying that when we compare ourselves to the world’s standards, we should rather be considered foolish according to those standards, so that we can be wise in His Kingdom.
The world and the Kingdom of God work on two very different worldviews. We cannot follow both.
5. Proverbs 17:28
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
Proverbs 17:28
This Scripture on wisdom speaks for itself.
Sometimes the wisest thing we can do at times keeps silent, or more specifically, know when to keep silent. Even someone who is foolish is considered wise when they keep quiet at the right time.
Those are just a few of many Bible verses about wisdom.
Here are 32 more Bible verses for you to read or study on the crucial topic of wisdom.
32 Bible Verses About Wisdom – What Is Wisdom In The Bible?
So many Bible verses about wisdom boil some of our biggest questions down into very simple answers.
James 1:5 – Lacking Wisdom? Ask God.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5
What do you do if you want to find wisdom?
Ask God for it.
2. Proverbs 1:7 – Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7
Where do you even start if you want to be wise?
Fear the Lord (have reverence for Him).
3. Proverbs 19:8 – Wisdom Increases Joy & Contentment
“The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.”
Proverbs 19:8
Want to be wise?
Value the understanding you have.
4. Proverbs 16:16 – Wisdom Is Better Than Money
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”
Proverbs 16:16
The value of wisdom is so much greater than even the most valuable of things.
5. Ephesians 5:15-16 – Make The Most Of Every Opportunity
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
Wisdom is not only something to learn or know.
It is something to be implemented regularly in the way you live and all of the choices you make.
6. Proverbs 13:10 – Wise People Take Advice
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Proverbs 13:10
Wise people take advice. There is an open-mindedness, with a necessary filter, involved in wisdom, which requires a good measure of humility (you can read Bible verses on humility here).
7. Proverbs 2:6 – The Lord Gives Wisdom
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6
Where does wisdom come from?
The Lord.
Read His Word. Seek Him in prayer. Make time to ask Him questions and be still and listen for His answers.
8. Isaiah 55:8 – The Lord’s Ways Are Not Our Ways
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8
Wisdom comes from the Lord and, because of that, we need to leave space for God to be much bigger than the things we can comprehend.
9. Proverbs 13:20 – Hang Around Wise People To Become Wiser
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20
As mentioned earlier, wise people take advice from others. And they also do life with other wise people, making them worthy advice-givers.
10. Romans 11:33 – Wisdom & Knowledge Are Incredibly Valuable
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
Romans 11:33
This verse is another reminder of the great value of wisdom in the Bible.
11. 1 Corinthians 3:18 – Be Humble In Your Wisdom
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.”
1 Corinthians 3:18
Here is another reminder that truly wise peoeple are also humble. There may be men who are called wise by the standards of our current culture, but, as wisdom comes from the Lord, if He is not their source, their “wisdom” is just foolishness.
12. Proverbs 3:13 – Wisdom Is A Blessing
“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
Proverbs 3:13
Seek the Lord for wisdom and blessings follow – what a gift!
13. Isaiah 28:29 – God’s Wisdom Is Magnificent
“All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.”
Isaiah 28:29
God’s wisdom is magnificent, meaning it’s impressive, striking, and excellent.
14. Proverbs 9:10 – Wisdom Starts With The Fear Of The Lord
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
Another reminded of where wisdom comes from – fear, or reverence, of the Lord is the beginning.
15. James 3:17 – Pure Wisdom Comes From Heaven
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17
The traits listed here in this Bible verse on wisdom are amazing:
- pure
- peace-loving
- considerate
- submissive
- full of mercy
- full of good fruit
- impartial
- sincere.
No wonder wisdom can only come from the Lord! That’s quite a list, going far beyond knowledge alone.
16. Proverbs 4:11 – The Lord Leads You On Paths Of Wisdom
“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
Proverbs 4:11
I think many of us seek wisdom because we are looking for God’s direction in our lives (if so, you may also like reading 25 Bible Verses On Discernment and 20 Bible Verses On New Beginnings).
That’s exactly what this verse assures us – God will lead you along straight paths when you seek His wisdom.
17. Colossians 4:5-6 – Be Wise In Your Actions & Your Words
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:5-6
This Bible verse about wisdom shares again that it’s not just about being wise in your thoughts. It’s about being wise in your actions.
18. Proverbs 15:33 – Fear The Lord
“Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.”
Proverbs 15:33
Have you noticed the trend? Wisdom and fear of the Lord are so often tied together in Scripture.
19. James 3:13 – Show Your Wisdom In Your Actions
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:13
Looking for proof of wisdom in yourself or those around you? Look for the fruit in their life, humility being an important evidence of wisdom.
20. Proverbs 11:2 – With Humility Comes Wisdom
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2
21. Isaiah 40:28 – We Will Never Have All Of The Wisdom Of God
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28
An important part of wisdom is knowing that you will never know it all. Only God is all-knowing.
22. Proverbs 18:2 – Fools Love To Share Their Opinions, Wise Or Not
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
Proverbs 18:2
Have you ever had a conversation with someone you knew was being foolish? Chances are, their conversation was full of opinions that were not rooted in Truth.
23. Psalm 90:12 – Be Intentional In Seeking A Heart Of Wisdom
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12
This verse speaks of an open mind, desiring wisdom and asking the Lord to teach you.
24. Proverbs 4:7 – Get Wisdom
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
Proverbs 4:7
This is an interesting Scripture about wisdom to consider – wisdom costs all you have.
If you’d like to explore this further, this article talks about the costly pursuit of wisdom.
25. Proverbs 4:5 – Wisdom & Understanding Go Hand-In-Hand
“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
Proverbs 4:5
26. Matthew 7:24 – Wisdom Is Hearing God’s Words AND Putting Them Into Action
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24
27. Proverbs 17:28 – Wise People Often Choose To Stay Silent
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
Proverbs 17:28
A wise man chooses his words carefully, very intentionally counting the cost and benefit before he speaks.
28. Ephesians 1:17 – Wisdom Draws You Nearer To God
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Ephesians 1:17
I especially love this verse about wisdom.
It just makes sense that since wisdom comes from the Lord, we would know Him better as we gain more wisdom. What a beautiful combination.
29. Ecclesiastes 10:12 – Wisdom Is Gracious
“Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
Ecclesiastes 10:12
And, if we know the Lord more deeply as we find wisdom, we can’t help but to be more gracious, as grace overflows from Christ.
30. Proverbs 24:14 – Like Honey
“Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Proverbs 24:14
31. Proverbs 10:8 – Can You Accept Direction From Others?
“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”
Proverbs 10:8
32. Proverbs 14:29 – Patience Often Accompanies Wisdom
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
Proverbs 14:29
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading all of these Bible verses on wisdom.
More Helpful Bible Verses
25 Bible Verses On Discernment
19 Bible Verses About Temptation (& How To Overcome It God’s Way)
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