# Wisdom ## Catechism of the Catholic Church A spiritual gift which enables one to know the purpose and plan of God; one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit ([[3.1.1.7.p67#^ccc-1831|1831]]). Wisdom is also the name of one of the books of the Old Testament ([[1.1.2.3.pr#^ccc-120|120]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Wisdom* ([[1-corinthians-01#^1-corinthians-01-20|1 Cor 1:20]]) - *Sophia* (Gk.): "wisdom", "skill", or "insight". The word is used 17 times in this letter and 34 times in the rest of the NT. Paul's use of it resonates against the background of the OT. **(1)** The Torah is viewed as the embodiment of divine wisdom ([[deuteronomy-04#^deuteronomy-04-5|Deut 4:5-6]]; [[sirach-24#^sirach-24-23|Sir 24:23-25]]). **(2)** The Wisdom Books associated with King Solomon portray wisdom as the art of prudent living. God gave this wisdom to Solomon to instruct Israel and the Gentiles in the way of righteousness ([[1-kings-04#^1-kings-04-29|1 Kings 4:29-34]]). **(3)** Wisdom is also personified in the OT as a craftsman of creation (Prov 8; [[wisdom-07#^wisdom-07-22|Wis 7:22]]) and one who directs human history (Wis 9-11). Wisdom in this sense had its beginning in eternity ([[sirach-24#^sirach-24-9|Sir 24:9]]) and is closely associated with the Word of God ([[wisdom-09#^wisdom-09-1|Wis 9:1]]; [[sirach-24#^sirach-24-3|Sir 24:3]]) as well as the work of the Holy Spirit ([[wisdom-09#^wisdom-09-17|Wis 9:17]]). Paul relies on these traditions to make a sharp contrast between the wisdom that comes from God and the philosophical wisdom of men celebrated by the Greeks. For the apostle, Jesus Christ is the divine Wisdom of God ([[1-corinthians-01#^1-corinthians-01-24|1 Cor 1:24]]) that is given to believers through the inpouring of the Spirit ([[1-corinthians-01#^1-corinthians-01-30|1 Cor 1:30]]; [[1-corinthians-02#^1-corinthians-02-7|2:7-13]]; ; [[ephesians-01#^ephesians-01-17|Eph 1:17]]; [[colossians-02#^colossians-02-3|Col 2:3]]). As such, it cannot be equated with the ingenuity of philosophers and thinkers. ### Sources [[07-first-corinthians-commentary#^dpozfy|Wisdom — word study]] ## Divine Intimacy Meditations - of the world is foolishness to God: [[234-infinite-wisdom#Meditation 2|234,2]]; - — to judge things as God values them: [[234-infinite-wisdom#Meditation 2|234,2]]. - [[234-infinite-wisdom|234. Infinite Wisdom]]