Wisdom and Sovereignty of God in Theology
The wisdom of God is a divine attribute described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, wonderful, and beyond human comprehension [1]. It is also considered incomparable and underived [1]. The Bible frequently emphasizes that wisdom and strength belong to God, along with counsel and understanding [3].
This divine wisdom is manifested in various ways. The apostle Paul, in Romans 11:33, exclaims, "O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out" [2]. John Gill interprets this passage as an exclamation relating to the doctrines of salvation, justification, predestination, and the calling of Gentiles, all of which display God's wisdom and knowledge [13]. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 2:7 speaks of "the wisedome of God in a mysterie, euen the hid wisedom, which God had determined before the world, vnto our glory" [6]. This suggests that God's wisdom is not always immediately apparent but is revealed through His divine plan [6]. The church, according to Ephesians 3:10, is a means by which "the manifolde wisedome of God" is made known to principalities and powers in heavenly places [4].
The concept of God's wisdom is closely linked to His sovereignty. God's sovereignty refers to His absolute right to act according to His own good pleasure [7]. This includes His foreknowledge, an attribute that Easton's Bible Dictionary describes as infinite and beyond human comprehension [5]. Passages like Daniel 4:25, 35, Romans 9:15-23, 1 Timothy 6:15, and Revelation 4:11 are cited to support the idea of God's absolute sovereignty [7].
Human wisdom, in contrast, is derived from God [1]. Daniel 2:1 states that all human wisdom comes from Him, and Ezra 7:25 indicates that the wisdom of saints is derived from God [1]. The book of Job explores the unsearchable nature of divine wisdom, questioning whether humanity can discover the wisdom by which the world is governed [15]. John Gill suggests that the "secrets of wisdom" can refer to sound doctrine, particularly the Gospel, which displays God's wisdom in doctrines such as election, redemption, and justification [14]. The "fear of the Lord" is often presented as the beginning of wisdom [11]. This fear is not one of terror but of reverence and awe, leading to inner peace and counteracting fear of people [8, 9, 10]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret "sanctify" in Isaiah 8:13 as honoring God's holy name by regarding Him as the only hope of safety, and fearing Him lest one provoke His wrath by distrust [12].
Sources
- 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. ”
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
- Job “Job 12:13 (BSB) — Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (Geneva1599) — To the intent, that nowe vnto principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the Church the manifolde wisedome of God,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:7 (Geneva1599) — But we speake the wisedome of God in a mysterie, euen the hid wisedom, which God had determined before the world, vnto our glory.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:33: O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God,.... These words are the epilogue, or conclusion of the doctrinal part of this epistle, and relate to what is said throughout the whole of it hitherto; particularly to the doctrines of salvation by Christ, justification by his righteousness, predestination, the calling of the Gentiles, the rejection of the Jews, and their restoration in the latter day; upon the whole of which, the apostle breaks forth into this pathetic exclamation; the design of which is to show, how much of the wisdom and knowledge ”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 11:6: And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom,.... Either of sound doctrine, in opposition to his own doctrine he had such a vain opinion of; and then he would see, as he thought, that it was not so pure as he imagined it to be: the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are the wisdom of God, the produce of it, and in which it is displayed; as in the doctrines of election to grace and glory, of redemption by Christ, of justification by his righteousness, and pardon by his blood; by which all the divine perfections are glorified, the justice and holiness of God, as well as”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 28:12: Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Certainly not. Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person (Job 28:12-27) distinct from God (Job 28:23; also in Pro 8:23, Pro 8:27). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom. The order of the world was originated and is maintained by the breathing forth (Spirit) of Wisdom, unfathomable and unpurchasable by man. In Job 28:28, the only aspect of it, which relates to, and may be understood by, man, is stated. understanding--insigh”