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Wisdom and Virtue in Biblical Masculinity Teachings

Biblical teachings on masculinity frequently emphasize the virtues of wisdom and prudence, presenting them as foundational for a man's character and conduct. Wisdom, in this context, is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical understanding that guides one's actions and decisions [1].

The book of Proverbs frequently highlights wisdom as a primary virtue. one tradition states that wisdom and grace are the honor of good men, enabling them to speak wisely and benefit others [14]. A wise man is depicted as having great power, and increased knowledge is said to enhance strength [7]. Wisdom is also presented as a defense, offering more security than physical strength or weapons [16]. It is understood to be intimately connected with prudence, which involves dealing with knowledge, understanding one's own ways, and foreseeing and avoiding evil [1]. This prudence is exemplified by Christ himself, who demonstrated it in his responses and actions [1].

A key aspect of biblical wisdom is the "fear of the Lord" [12]. This fear is not terror but a profound reverence and awe that serves as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom [12]. It is presented as a healthy counter to inner turmoil, bringing inner peace [11]. For those who fear the Lord, He becomes a sanctuary, assuring their salvation, whereas fearing people can lead to destruction [9, 10]. This reverence for God is seen as honoring His holy name and trusting in Him as the sole source of safety [13].

Wisdom also plays a crucial role in navigating moral challenges. For instance, it is described as keeping a young man from immoral women by providing emotional maturity, restraint, and the ability to assess others' intentions [15]. The book of Proverbs also notes that wisdom gives astuteness to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the youth [2].

In contrast to wisdom, the Bible warns against vanity and worldly wisdom. Vanity is described as a consequence of the fall, affecting every aspect of human existence, including worldly wisdom, pleasure, anxiety, and labor [3]. The book of Ecclesiastes, in particular, explores the vanity of life apart from God, yet it also affirms that wisdom provides strength to the wise [5].

Other virtues closely associated with biblical masculinity include meekness and humility. Meekness is presented as a fruit of the Spirit, exemplified by Christ, and something saints should actively seek and exhibit [4]. It is considered precious in God's sight and is necessary for ministers in their instruction and exhortation [4]. Humility is likewise essential for serving God, with Christ serving as the ultimate example [6]. Those who are humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God, and they receive more grace [6]. Humility is also seen as preceding honor and leading to riches and honor [6].

The pursuit of wisdom and virtue is not merely for personal benefit but also for the service of God and others. Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews, suggests that preserving virtue throughout one's life brings great rewards, with virtue itself being the principal reward [8]. The emphasis on wisdom and virtue in biblical masculinity thus points to a character shaped by divine principles, leading to a life of integrity, strength, and service.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  2. Proverbs “ut detur parvulis astutia, adolescenti scientia et intellectus. -- Proverbs 1:4”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Vanity — A consequence of the fall -- Ro 8:20. Every man is -- Ps 39:11. Every state of man is -- Ps 62:9. Man at his best estate is -- Ps 39:5. Man is like to -- Ps 144:4. The thoughts of man are -- Ps 94:11. The days of man are -- Job 7:16; Ec 6:12. Childhood and youth are -- Ec 11:10. The beauty of man is -- Ps 39:11; Pr 31:30. The help of man in -- Ps 60:11; La 4:17. Man's own righteousness is -- Isa 57:12. Worldly wisdom is -- Ec 2:15,21; 1Co 3:20. Worldly pleasure is -- Ec 2:1. Worldly anxiety -- Ps 39:6; 127:2. Worldly labour is -- Ec 2:11; 4:4. Worldly enjoym”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  5. Ecclesiastes “Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. -- Ecclesiastes 7:19”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  7. Proverbs “A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; -- Proverbs 24:5”
  8. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 2: which you now have, nor change it for any other form: and if you do this, you will be the most courageous of all men, in undergoing the fatigues of war, and will not be easily conquered by any of your enemies; for while God is present with you to assist you, it is to be expected that you will be able to despise the opposition of all mankind; and great rewards of virtue are proposed for you, if you preserve that virtue through your whole lives. Virtue itself is indeed the principal and the first reward, and after that it bestows a”
  9. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
  10. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
  11. 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.”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
  13. 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.”
  14. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 10:13: Observe, 1. Wisdom and grace are the honour of good men: He that has understanding, that good understanding which those have that do the commandments, wisdom is found in his lips, that is, it is discovered to be there, and consequently that he has within a good treasure of it, and it is derived thence for the benefit of others. It is a man's honour to have wisdom, but much more to be instrumental to make others wise. 2. Folly and sin are the shame of bad men: A rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding - of him that wants a heart; he exposes hims”
  15. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 2:16: 2:16 Wisdom keeps a young man from an immoral woman, helping him to resist her flattering, seductive words. Wisdom includes emotional maturity, restraint, and the ability to assess the purpose of someone’s speech.”
  16. Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 7:19: Wisdom strengtheneth the wise,.... Against such extremes as before mentioned; it is a guard about him, as well as a guide unto him; it is a defence unto him, as before observed, Ecc 7:12; and is better than strength of body, or weapons of war, Ecc 9:16; and a wise man does greater things by it than a strong man with them, and is safer with it than he can be by them. Some understand this of Christ, the Wisdom of God, without whom a good man can do nothing, but all things through him strengthening him; and who being a strong tower and place of refuge to him, he is”
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