The Imparted (and Imputed) Wisdom of God

Wisdom was a big deal to the people of Corinth, as it was to all the ancient Greeks. The book of Acts records that in Athens, the peoples gathered together day after day in the midst of the Areopagus to "spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new" (Acts 17:21). The exchanging of ideas and knowledge became the very essence and crux of their society and lives, where Epicureans and Stoic philosophers would converse about new teachings, theories, and ideas on a variety of topics - ranging from government and politics, to the metaphysical, spiritual, and eternal nature of the soul. If you have ever plodded through Plato's Phaedo, you might recall Socrates establishing a connection between wisdom and the release of his soul beyond the grave into the afterlife. Today, we also try to find solace in grappling with the mysteries of the universe, of life and death and eternity, through our feeble attempts at scientific observation, reason, and calculation. A modern-day giant in the field of theoretical physics, Stephen Hawking once said that, "An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might have carried out his job!"

The pages of God's written word, however, paint quite a different picture. Paul tells the Corinthians that wisdom is both imparted and imputed to them. Those not lacking in theological acumen may remember the idea of imputation as it relates to justification, Christ's righteousness, and our new status in God's eyes as explained in 2 Corinthians 5:21. In a similar way, Paul says that Christ Jesus has "become to us wisdom from God" (1 Corinthians 1:30) - meaning, that Christ Jesus, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3), is the embodiment and personification of God's wisdom to us. In this manner, we understand rightly that because the Son has become wisdom for us, we are not wise in ourselves and therefore, have no grounds for boasting (1 Corinthians 1:31). This is what we mean when we say wisdom is imputed to us.

To continue this thought, while the Son becomes to us wisdom from God, we must be changed inwardly as well. This alien wisdom must also be imparted to us, that we might possess it. Paul goes on to say that he imparts wisdom not of this age or of the rulers of this age - he imparts a secret and hidden wisdom of God which none of the powers of this age have grasped or understood (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). We are not taught these words by human wisdom - we are instructed and trained by the Spirit, who alone can comprehend and interpret the inscrutable mystery of God's purposes and will for us. This wisdom is taught to us that we might be instructed by it, learn from it, and be moved to worship and serve the great Source from which it originated. We can now begin to ascertain the unfathomable plan of the Ancient of Days, that in his beloved Son he is making all things new - "as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end."

SDG