KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

Knowledge and wisdom

Does knowledge and wisdom have distinctions or are they similar in meaning?. Which of the two comes first or depends on the other one?

To answer this questions , lets get their meaning first;

Wisdom and knowledge have quite a bit in common. Both words are primarily used as nouns that are related to learning. They’re listed as

synonyms for one another  , and

in some cases they may be used interchangeably,  there are some important differences between

the two, 

Knowledge:

The word knowledge is defined first as the

“acquaintance with facts, truths or principles, as

from study or investigation; general erudition . The two verbs are combined know (a verb that means “to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty”) and ledge , which is just a suffix like again in wisdom

Knowledge is typically gained through books, research, and delving into facts.

Wisdom:

Wisdom is defined as “the state of being wise,” which means “having the power of discernment and judging properly as to what is true or right: possessing discernment, judgement, or discretion . Wisdom is gained through experience and over a long time

 wisdom and knowledge are synonyms, the other synonyms for each word, respectively, don’t overlap much. And they give more hints at each word’s unique meaning.

For example, other synonyms for knowledge include: 

ability

awareness

education

expertise

familiarity

grasp

Other synonyms for wisdom include: caution

experience

foresight

judgment

prudence.

The primary difference between the two words is that wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgments about a subject while knowledge is simply knowing. Anyone can become knowledgeable about a subject by reading, researching, and memorizing facts. It’s wisdom, however, that requires more understanding and the ability to determine which facts are relevant in certain situations. Wisdom takes knowledge and applies it with discernment based on experience, evaluation, and lessons learned.

A quote by an unknown author sums up the differences well: “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.”

Wisdom is also about knowing when and how to use your knowledge, being able to put situations in perspective, and how to impart it to others. For example, you may be very knowledgeable about how to raise a baby after reading countless books, attending classes, and talking to wise friends and family members. When that precious little person comes home, however, most new parents would kill for an ounce of wisdom to help soothe their screaming baby … and their fears.

To put it another way, there is this simple fruit salad philosophy: “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in the fruit salad.”

Is knowledge the chicken or the egg?

So which comes first, knowledge or wisdom?

There’s no chicken-egg scenario here: knowledge always comes first. Wisdom is built upon knowledge. That means you can be both wise and knowledgeable, but you can’t be wise without being knowledgeable. And just because you’re knowledgeable doesn’t mean you’re wise.

As for how long it takes to achieve wisdom, and how you know when you have achieved it. Albert Einstein famously said, “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” So schooling is one of those journey-not-destination things. There’s no limit to wisdom, however, and you can certainly gain degrees of it along the way. 

What does the bible speaks about the two; knowledge and wisdom?

1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV 

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

From this scripture, we see that God has made foolish all the wisdom of man, that wisdom of this world is totally foolishness, no one is wise therefore in his understanding and knowledge if God is out of his equation.

James 3:15-18 ESV

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Romans 1:22-25 ESV 

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 

Having wisdom and knowledge without the fear of the lord is foolish,

Corinthians 3:18 ESV 

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

 when you start to fear God ,then you are now in the journey of acquiring knowledge.

Proverbs 16:26 

There is a way that seems right to a man,  but its end is the way to death.

This is to those that always thinks they are right in all their dealings, God here says this wisdom of man will lead to death, nothing good shall come out of it.

So to God;

28:28 ESV 

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’

Corinthians 1:25 ESV 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Man in their own ways see ,wisdom and knowledge  is to do evil , gain power and strength, when God looks at the fear of man towards him, and how they purpose to not engage in evil which is the knowledge and wisdom

Wisdom and knowledge can be acquired only through him, no one else.

Daniel 2:19-23 ESV 

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, i give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.

So according to the world ,wisdom comes from experience of your knowledge, but according the maker and creator of everything, God , wisdom originates from him through fear, that is  ,  if you fear him, ask from him just like Solomon did, you will receive wisdom and knowledge

Be wise, accept the foolishness and weakness of God and live in his ways.

1corinthians 6:12

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

There are many things you may know but not all are helpful to your life, but Christ’s knowledge is of help to you .