… admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom …
Summary: In this short passage, Paul offers a 30,000-foot view of what wisdom is and where it comes from.
In this passage, there are four important concepts to consider:
- What does it mean to “admonish” someone?
- What does it mean to “teach?”
- How do we learn?
- What is “wisdom?”
Let’s begin with “wisdom.”
The English online dictionary defines “wisdom” as ”the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” Now, all of us know stuff. The question is, “How good is the stuff that we think we ‘know?’”
Wisdom is the quality of knowing stuff that is worth knowing and applying it correctly. The word Paul used, “sophia,” is Greek for a “varied knowledge”* that actually includes things both “human and divine.”
If wisdom is knowing about things both human and spiritual, the next question is “How do we learn stuff?”
Wisdom includes having “good judgment.” It said that “good judgement” comes from “bad judgment.” Learning from our mistakes is one way to learn. Another way to learn is by reading a book or listening to what someone says. The problem with this kind of learning is that we don’t “know” if what we are learning is good unless we test it. That is where “experience” comes in.
Ultimately, wisdom is how we use the experience and knowledge we have acquired in life. If our knowledge works, we are wise. If it doesn’t work when we say it should, then the Bible calls that being “foolish.”
So, what does it mean to “teach?”
We expect that teachers (A) know more than the student, and (B) know real stuff, not just stuff they wish were true. Whatever they teach is supposed to work in real life.
The kind of teaching that Paul is talking about depends on the teacher knowing the truth about things both human and divine. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). A real teacher, one with true wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, knows Jesus because he is the source of true knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6-7).
Finally, having discussed wisdom, learning, and teaching, we come to the topic of “admonishing.” Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek word for admonish as to “put in mind,” or remind someone of the truth. This can involve cautioning someone or even gently reproving them. Of course, all of this is done with love.
You might say that admonishing someone is part of the teaching process. We gain wisdom by learning, and we learn by trial and error, or by listening and testing. When we stray into error, if we are fortunate enough to have someone wise who also cares about us, they will admonish us with “all wisdom.”
Application: When being admonished, accept it humbly. When admonishing, do it with love.
Food for Thought: Who is the “teacher” Paul refers to? Who among us should expect to be teaching?
*Strong’s Concordance
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