Profitability of Wisdom in Directing One's Life
The concept of the profitability of wisdom in directing one's life is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the value of wisdom in achieving a successful and meaningful life. The book of Proverbs, in particular, highlights the importance of wisdom, stating that it gives people the ability to navigate life successfully [8].
The biblical notion of wisdom is not merely intellectual but is deeply rooted in moral and spiritual qualities. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, true wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask for it, as seen in passages such as Job 28:12-28 and Proverbs 3:13-18 [3]. This understanding of wisdom is further reinforced by the description of wisdom in Torrey's Topical Textbook as one of God's attributes, characterized as perfect, mighty, universal, and infinite [4].
The profitability of wisdom is directly addressed in the book of Job, where it is written, "Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?" (Job 22:2) [1]. This verse suggests that wisdom is beneficial not to God, but to the individual who possesses it, implying that the value of wisdom lies in its application to one's life. The name "Onesimus," meaning "profitable" or "useful," further illustrates this concept, as it signifies the usefulness or profitability that wisdom can bring to an individual's life [2].
In the biblical context, wisdom is often contrasted with foolishness, with wisdom being associated with a healthy fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is seen as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) [6]. This fear is not about being afraid but about having a deep reverence for God that guides one's actions and decisions. According to Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16, a healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace, underscoring the beneficial nature of wisdom [5].
The profitability of wisdom is also discussed in Ecclesiastes, where Solomon recommends wisdom as an antidote against the distempers of mind caused by the vanity and vexation of spirit associated with worldly things. Matthew Henry's commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:11 highlights that wisdom is praised for its ability to help manage and improve worldly possessions effectively [9]. Furthermore, Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 notes that while both wisdom and money are powerful means to bring benefit, only wisdom can save one's life, emphasizing the superior value of wisdom over material wealth [10].
The biblical teachings on wisdom also touch on its role in relation to fear and trust in God. Isaiah 8:13 exhorts the prophet to sanctify the Lord, honoring His holy name by regarding Him as the only hope of safety, and to fear Him alone [7]. This fear of the Lord is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God rather than in human strength or wealth.
Sources
- Job “Job 22:2 (Webster) — Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Onesimus — profitable; useful”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Wise, wisdom — A moral rather than an intellectual quality. To be "foolish" is to be godless (Ps. 14:1; comp. Judg. 19:23; 2 Sam. 13:13). True wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask it (Job 28:12-28; Prov. 3:13-18; Rom. 1:22; 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:17-21; 2:6-8; James 1:5). "Wisdom" in Prov. 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24). In Matt. 11:19 it is the personified principle of wisdom that is meant.”
- 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. ”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:6: 9:6 Wisdom gives people the ability to navigate life successfully.”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 7:11: Solomon, in these verses, recommends wisdom to us as the best antidote against those distempers of mind which we are liable to, by reason of the vanity and vexation of spirit that there are in the things of this world. Here are some of the praises and the precepts of wisdom. I. The praises of wisdom. Many things are here said in its commendation, to engage us to get and retain wisdom. 1. Wisdom is necessary to the right managing and improving of our worldly possessions: Wisdom is good with an inheritance, that is, an inheritance is good for little without wi”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:11: 7:11-12 Wisdom and money are powerful means to bring us benefit. • but only wisdom can save your life: See 7:17; Prov 10:2; 11:4.”