Based on a recommendation from our pastor, my kids started reading one chapter of the book of Proverbs each day, so I decided to try that. By the second day I had come to a question. What is “knowledge” as opposed to “understanding” as contrasted with “wisdom?” As you probably know, the first part of Proverbs is largely an exhortation to “get wisdom.” But knowledge and understanding are also big players in this conversation. One of the more famous proverbs is 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” a verse that encompasses all three terms. But what do they really mean in relationship to each other?
So, I looked it up and found this online: “When you comprehend the information you’ve learned [knowledge] you understand it. When you understand the knowledge and learn to apply it to decision-making, you gain wisdom. … Knowledge is the information you have learned, while wisdom is the ability to use that knowledge in a profound way. So, knowledge is a part and wisdom is the whole. Wisdom goes beyond learning facts and includes making sense of those facts.” *
It’s kind of like different stages of life. As children we absorb all sorts of information and knowledge, and then as we grow we have a greater understanding of how those things fit together. As we continue to mature, we apply the understanding and knowledge we have gained so our wisdom and discernment grows. If, lifelong, we continue gaining knowledge or understanding, we will continue to grow in our wisdom. The writer of Proverbs (3:21) even goes so far as to say, “Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.” Like a beautiful necklace, when we seek understanding and wisdom we will have sound judgement and discretion.
This is why the writer of Proverbs can promise that when we seek after God’s wisdom we will find life.
“Pay attention to what I [Wisdom] say; turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:20-23 NIV)
Today, let us seek to grow in our knowledge and understanding so that we might grow more and more in our wisdom.
All-Wise God,
Thank you for putting within each of us the desire for you. Help us to nourish that desire with your Word and to seek out ways to grow in our relationships with you. Help us have a hunger for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that gives us Life. We ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
*https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/vs/differences-between-knowledge-wisdom-and-understanding.html