Discerning God's Love and Biblical Wisdom
Discerning God's Love and Biblical Wisdom
The concept of discerning God's love and biblical wisdom is deeply rooted in scripture. According to Sirach, "The love of God is honourable wisdom" [3]. This connection between God's love and wisdom is a recurring theme throughout the biblical text.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul prays that the Ephesian believers may "know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" [2]. This prayer highlights the importance of understanding God's love, which is a central aspect of Christian doctrine. Similarly, in Colossians, Paul writes that the Colossian believers may "gain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ" [1].
The biblical concept of wisdom is closely tied to the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" [8]. This theme is echoed in various interpretations, including John Gill's commentary on Proverbs 2:5, which notes that "the fear of the Lord" is a treasure that leads to understanding [11]. The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid, but rather about revering God's power and majesty.
In the Old Testament, the Psalms often express a deep longing to understand God's heart and ways. Psalm 139:23 implores God to "search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" [4]. This desire to know God's heart is a hallmark of biblical wisdom.
Different traditions interpret the relationship between God's love and wisdom in various ways. For example, Adam Clarke's commentary on Ephesians 3:19 notes that "it is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God" [9]. In contrast, John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 3:18 emphasizes the surpassing nature of Christ's love, highlighting its matchless and unparalleled character [10].
The biblical text also emphasizes the importance of seeking God earnestly. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Job 8:5 encourages believers to "seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety" [7]. This eagerness to seek God is a key aspect of discerning His love and wisdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the multifaceted nature of God's love, describing it as "great", "excellent", "good", "marvellous", and "everlasting" [5]. Similarly, the wisdom of God is described as "perfect", "mighty", "universal", and "infinite" [6]. These descriptions underscore the richness and complexity of God's character.
Sources
- Colossians “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, -- Colossians 2:2”
- Ephesians “and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. -- Ephesians 3:19”
- Sirach “Sirach 1:14 (DRC) — The love of God is honourable wisdom.”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:19: To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have labored to reconcile this seeming co”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:18: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,.... The love of Christ to his own, to his church and people, is special and peculiar; free and Sovereign; as early as his Father's love, and is durable and unchangeable; the greatest love that ever was heard of; it is matchless and unparalleled; it is exceeding strong and affectionate, and is wonderful and surprising: the instances of it are, his engaging as a surety for them; his espousing both their persons and their cause; his assumption of their nature; his dying in their room and stead; his payment of th”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2:5: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord,.... The grace of fear, and the exercise of it: which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, and is a treasure itself, Pro 1:7. By means of the Gospel the Lord works it in the hearts of his people by his Spirit; and by the same leads them into the riches of his special grace and "goodness", which they are influenced by to "fear", and the Lord for the sake of it: and particularly they are led hereby to the pardoning grace and mercy of God, which is with him, that he may "be feared"; and it is the Gospel which induces ”