Measure of a Man: Wisdom (Self-Control)

Getz has me a little confused in this chapter, and I admit I am primarily to blame for my own confusion. Getz takes term sofrona and interprets it as prudence, which becomes the central concept for this chapter--through his English term "wisdom."

The Greek term sofrona (which has a long 'o' sound as its first verb) can refer to sound-mind, which is incredibly close to the previous term for "temperance." Interestingly, Paul groups two very similar terms together, one with an emphasis on clear-mindedness (Chapter 4) and now one with an emphasis on wisdom. It appears that one term calls the man of God to focus on Christ, the other to use the knowledge gained in a wise way.

Getz says "Some biblical truths can be taught with words alone, such as who Jesus is, how to be saved and many other Bible doctrines. But some things must be taught by both instruction and example. In fact, without modeling, some words are meaningless." (p59)

AMEN.

sophrona is one of these concepts that must be lived, not just known.

I wish Getz would have used the term "self-control" here. Getz emphasizes, rightly so, the need for humility, gratitude, and prayer--all of which are signs of wisdom. But ultimately, it appears that Paul is reminding Timothy to put the reigns on the young servants in his churches. It seems that these servants need to place their enthusiasm and energy into the proper channels of ministry and priority. Thus, the servants need to be wise by showing lives that are not given over to excess. Again, this is very similar to our previous chapter.

So, are you keeping your energy and passion in check? Again, a life balanced on Christ will keep knowledge and emotion centered in the divine will. As servants of Christ, we must model the power of a racing horse with the control of a bridle and reins that are firmly placed in the hands of God. In this way, let your light shine before all--servants empowered by the resurrection of Christ, engaged in the will of God.

Ecclesiastes 8: Justice

Three themes seem to appear in this passages.

First, the authority of the king is mentioned. Obey the king's command (v2) because he does whatever he pleases (3). In the end, the wise heart will know the time and plan (4). There are powers in the world, ordained by God, which are above the wisdom or authority of man. Some issues are bigger than the individual, and we must all submit to the sovereignty of God in these situations. As such, the wise man will know the right time to act and how to act at that time. Solomon suggests that no harm will come to the man who trusts in God and wisely chooses his time to discuss matters concerning the king.

Not all kings are bad, but they are all imperfect. Eventually, authority will corrupt. Yet, there is a time to act against corruption, and there is a time to trust God and silently do what is right before God in the face of authority and corruption.

But, what is a Christian to do when the king or authority forces unfaithful acts? Where is the protection then?

Secondly, Solomon addresses injustice. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong (11). Punishment is important, not only for payment and balance in the system, but also for learning in society. When the punishment does not fit the crime, then more people will test the system.

But where does mercy fit into this? Is mercy not a good a teacher as punishment? Can punishment be merciful, and mercy detrimental?

There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve (14).

Is Solomon specifically speaking of death, an early demise in life? Solomon is convinced that the righteous will come out ahead in life, and that the evil will not benefit from their doings (13). Yet he notices that evil brings temporary benefit while the righteous suffer.

Makes me wonder what Solomon means by righteousness and evil. He watched the evil worship and sacrifice in the Temple (10) and then meet their demise. He recognizes that evil will eventually capture those that it ensnares (8). However, I think that this life does not reveal all of the spiritual ends that our decisions lead us to So, we are left with only an understanding of part of the story. Solomon finds this limited knowledge frustrating. I do as well.

Finally, we are reminded of the paradox of wisdom again. The more the wise man sees, the less he understands about events under the sun. In the end, wisdom can relieve and enlighten the soul (1), and yet the wise must acknowledge that the meaning behind the wisdom is still out of reach (17). Anyone who does not acknowledge this is not very wise.

Gems from Ecclesiastes 7

Verses from Ecclesiastes 7

7 Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Can you say "Politics!" No wonder people are sick of church politics. They have no place in the kingdom of God.

10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

How many times have I heard this in the church, or in general conversation. Now I have a biblical comeback.

12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter. The advantage of knowledge is this: wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

Conclusion: money will eventually collapse on its owner--or it will devour him.

14 When times are good, be happy. When times are bad consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

We cannot know all of God's plans. We can only accept that he is in control in all circumstances. Is this a comfort to you?

18 The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

Literally, the God-fearing man will hold onto his God and his humanity equally, avoiding the extremes of self-righteousness and wickedness.

21 Do not pay attention to every word that people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you. For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Ouch! It is true. We need to let others vent without our knowing, and if we heard all things, then we would certainly fall under the weight of the words. However, God hears all things and understands them all. That is too much for me to grasp . . . .


29 This one thing I have found: God made men upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.

Oh wondering heart. If only I could be satisfied with God's plans and wisdom. But I search for my own plans, with little understanding.

1 Corinthians 4

"God's wisdom" continues to play a central role in Paul's thinking. This time, we are reminded not to judge anything before it is time. God is in control (he knows all things) and it is Jesus who, when he returns, will bring to light what is hidden. Always remember: God knows what is happening, and Jesus has earned the right through the cross to judge all people. As a good friend of mine likes to say, "It is not our job to judge. It is our job to love." Can we also say this: "Until we learn how to die for others like Jesus did, then we have no right to judge them"?

Notice how Paul indicates his leadership (or "fathership") among the Corinthians. He has sacrificed for them over and over again. Since he has learned to lay his life down for them, and has lived the Gospel among them, now he asserts the right to lead them. Because of his self-sacrifice, he has earned the right to say "Imitate me." Then he further asserts his authority be warning them that he will soon come as an angry father, ready to discipline. It is this sacrificial lifestyle that gives Paul the right to exercise authority in the Corinthian church.

This is important for all church leaders, and perhaps all leaders in general. Many want to lead and discipline in the name of the Lord without first living Christ's sacrifice before their people. Paul clealry states that we have no right to judge. Only Jesus can judge because of his sacrifice. Then Paul asserts his authority based on his imitation of Christ through sacrificial living for the sake of the Gospel. Thus, Paul traces his authority to judge and discipline back to the sacrifice of Christ, which he himself is living out for the Corinthian church.

The rest of the prophetic instruction to the church in 1 Corinthians finds its authority in the wisdom of God and the sacrifice of Christ, as seen in the preaching and suffering of Paul. So, imitate that, if you dare.

1 Cor. 2:6-16

Notice the two main terms Paul uses in these verses: wisdom and spirit. They are not necessarily the same term, but they are intimately related. It seems to me that wisdom is to the Old Testament what Spirit is to the New Testament (see Proverbs 8). OT wisdom seems to be the template for John's logos in John 1. So it seems that Paul connects OT wisdom with the Holy Spirit part of the Trinity. Thus, as Christians, we can know of God through his revealed Wisdom as personified in the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that activates and reveals the power of God's knowledge/wisdom. Thus, if God's wisdom is knowledge, then the Spirit reveals it. If God's wisdom is obedient living, the the Spirit empowers us to live it. The word of God is just another book without the Spirit making it alive. And Paul's humility is totally warranted. He knows that he has no Gospel message without the Spirit of God to reveal this knowledge to him.

Another marvelous truth is this: when the knowledge of God comes into us, it transforms us. Thus, instead of a human mind, Paul can say that he has the mind of Christ. This is so important for all of us to grasp. No longer are we to function with worldy principles or thought processes. It is time for a change in thinking, and we have the mind to do it--the mind of Christ. No more excuses. Let us stand up, strengthened by the wisdom of God, and make choices guided by God's great wisdom. What a great treasure he has made available to us--the very wisdom of God. Adam and Eve fell from grace because they thought they could gain divine wisdom through their own power and wisdom. Now God offers it freely through Christ. What would you give up to have the wisdom of God and mind of Christ in you?

Thank you Father for your gift of wisdom and the Spirit. Indwell me, so that I may see, hear, taste, feel, and smell things as you do. Praise to God the Father, from whom all blessings flow. Let your mind transform mine. Let me become less so that you may be all in all. Amen.