Questions for 1/22: Prudence
The Christian Virtues
Discussion Sheet #5
Prudence
I. Prudence and the “Intellectual” Virtues
The Bible describes a number of qualities of the mind or “intellect” that should be developed in Christians in order to guide their lives in good character and toward proper conduct. The most significant “intellectual virtues” in the New Testament are “Prudence,” “Wisdom,” “Understanding,” and “Knowledge.”
II. True Wisdom
We do well to be cautious when we hear “wisdom” and other “intellectual” qualities being described as “virtues.” The scriptures are ambivalent about the value of the quality of “wisdom” and “knowledge.” In short, not all wisdom is true wisdom and there is knowledge that is “falsely so called” (1 Tim 6:20 cf. 2 Tim 3:7). The dissonance between the Christian revelation and some types of wisdom is evidenced in the prayer of Jesus in which He thanks the Father that His revelation was to “babes” and hidden from the “wise and understanding” (Matt 11:25). The apostle Paul writes at length to the Corinthian Christians (who apparently included a number of elite and well-educated members) about the fundamental difference (1 Cor 1:26; 2:1; 2 Cor 1:12) and even opposition (1 Cor 1:17, 19) between “worldly wisdom” and the gospel. A key issue here seems to be the use of “lofty words” (1 Cor 2:1). In Colossians (and elsewhere, but especially 2 Peter and Jude), this abstract “worldly wisdom” is made concrete and personified in false teachers who, because of their ascetic façade, have an “appearance of wisdom;” it is a wisdom is of no value because it makes no difference in how they live their lives, especially with regard to the use of their bodies (Colossians 2:23). In his epistle, James also decries wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual, devilish” (James 3:15).
This does not, however, mean that all forms of knowledge and wisdom are inimical to Christian character. In the same breath that he debases worldly wisdom, Paul acknowledges that he and his fellow workers teach a type of wisdom to “mature” Christians (1 Cor 2:6); it is a wisdom different from the transient wisdom of “this age or the rulers of this age.” Elsewhere this is described as “a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification” (1 Cor 2:7; cf. 2 Cor 1:12). Paul makes a more simple statement to the Romans: “I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (Rom 16:19). According to James, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity” (James 3:17).
III. Sources of Prudence/Wisdom/Knowledge
In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the “Spirit of God” supplies humans with extraordinary knowledge and wisdom (Exod 31:3; 35:31; 1 Cor 12:8). Less extraordinary, and more a matter of human self-discipline (but still by the grace of God) is the formation of wisdom and knowledge through the “fear of the Lord” (Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10) and through understanding and study of God’s revelation in the Scriptures (Col 2:2; Eph 3:10; 2 Tim 3:15). This in turn leads to passages that identify Christ Jesus as the source of Christian wisdom and knowledge: e.g., (1 Cor1:30; 2:16; 4:10; Eph 1:17).
IV. Effects of Prudence, Wisdom, and Knowledge.
According to these verses, what are the effects/consequences of prudence, wisdom, and/or knowledge in our lives?
Luke 1:17
Luke 21:15
Acts 6:10
1 Corinthians 3:10
1 Corinthians 6:5
Ephesians 5:15
Philippians 1:9
Colossians 1:28
Hebrews 5:14
2 Peter 1:3
In James 3:13, James states that we exhibit wisdom and understanding through good behavior in the “gentleness” or “meekness” of wisdom. What do you think “meekness of wisdom” means? These verses might help: Rom 1:22; 12:3; 12:16; 1 Cor 3:18.
V. Examples of Prudence
How are these biblical characters models of prudence or wisdom? You may need to think of stories in the Bible outside the verses provided.
Joseph (Genesis 41:33)
Moses (Acts 7:10)
David (1 Samuel 16:18)
Solomon (2 Chronicles 2:12)
Daniel (Daniel 1:17)
Paul (Ephesians 3:4)
Builder on the Rock (Matt 7:24)
Head Servant (Matt 24:45)
Five Virgins (Matt 25:2)
Unrighteous Steward (Lk 16:8)
VI. Practices of Prudence
What practices should we engage in to gain wisdom, knowledge, and better judgment, both for ourselves and others?
1. Colossians 1:9; James 1:5
2. 2 Timothy 3:15
3. Colossians 3:16
4. 2 Timothy 2:7
Discussion Sheet #5
Prudence
I. Prudence and the “Intellectual” Virtues
The Bible describes a number of qualities of the mind or “intellect” that should be developed in Christians in order to guide their lives in good character and toward proper conduct. The most significant “intellectual virtues” in the New Testament are “Prudence,” “Wisdom,” “Understanding,” and “Knowledge.”
II. True Wisdom
We do well to be cautious when we hear “wisdom” and other “intellectual” qualities being described as “virtues.” The scriptures are ambivalent about the value of the quality of “wisdom” and “knowledge.” In short, not all wisdom is true wisdom and there is knowledge that is “falsely so called” (1 Tim 6:20 cf. 2 Tim 3:7). The dissonance between the Christian revelation and some types of wisdom is evidenced in the prayer of Jesus in which He thanks the Father that His revelation was to “babes” and hidden from the “wise and understanding” (Matt 11:25). The apostle Paul writes at length to the Corinthian Christians (who apparently included a number of elite and well-educated members) about the fundamental difference (1 Cor 1:26; 2:1; 2 Cor 1:12) and even opposition (1 Cor 1:17, 19) between “worldly wisdom” and the gospel. A key issue here seems to be the use of “lofty words” (1 Cor 2:1). In Colossians (and elsewhere, but especially 2 Peter and Jude), this abstract “worldly wisdom” is made concrete and personified in false teachers who, because of their ascetic façade, have an “appearance of wisdom;” it is a wisdom is of no value because it makes no difference in how they live their lives, especially with regard to the use of their bodies (Colossians 2:23). In his epistle, James also decries wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual, devilish” (James 3:15).
This does not, however, mean that all forms of knowledge and wisdom are inimical to Christian character. In the same breath that he debases worldly wisdom, Paul acknowledges that he and his fellow workers teach a type of wisdom to “mature” Christians (1 Cor 2:6); it is a wisdom different from the transient wisdom of “this age or the rulers of this age.” Elsewhere this is described as “a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification” (1 Cor 2:7; cf. 2 Cor 1:12). Paul makes a more simple statement to the Romans: “I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (Rom 16:19). According to James, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity” (James 3:17).
III. Sources of Prudence/Wisdom/Knowledge
In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the “Spirit of God” supplies humans with extraordinary knowledge and wisdom (Exod 31:3; 35:31; 1 Cor 12:8). Less extraordinary, and more a matter of human self-discipline (but still by the grace of God) is the formation of wisdom and knowledge through the “fear of the Lord” (Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10) and through understanding and study of God’s revelation in the Scriptures (Col 2:2; Eph 3:10; 2 Tim 3:15). This in turn leads to passages that identify Christ Jesus as the source of Christian wisdom and knowledge: e.g., (1 Cor1:30; 2:16; 4:10; Eph 1:17).
IV. Effects of Prudence, Wisdom, and Knowledge.
According to these verses, what are the effects/consequences of prudence, wisdom, and/or knowledge in our lives?
Luke 1:17
Luke 21:15
Acts 6:10
1 Corinthians 3:10
1 Corinthians 6:5
Ephesians 5:15
Philippians 1:9
Colossians 1:28
Hebrews 5:14
2 Peter 1:3
In James 3:13, James states that we exhibit wisdom and understanding through good behavior in the “gentleness” or “meekness” of wisdom. What do you think “meekness of wisdom” means? These verses might help: Rom 1:22; 12:3; 12:16; 1 Cor 3:18.
V. Examples of Prudence
How are these biblical characters models of prudence or wisdom? You may need to think of stories in the Bible outside the verses provided.
Joseph (Genesis 41:33)
Moses (Acts 7:10)
David (1 Samuel 16:18)
Solomon (2 Chronicles 2:12)
Daniel (Daniel 1:17)
Paul (Ephesians 3:4)
Builder on the Rock (Matt 7:24)
Head Servant (Matt 24:45)
Five Virgins (Matt 25:2)
Unrighteous Steward (Lk 16:8)
VI. Practices of Prudence
What practices should we engage in to gain wisdom, knowledge, and better judgment, both for ourselves and others?
1. Colossians 1:9; James 1:5
2. 2 Timothy 3:15
3. Colossians 3:16
4. 2 Timothy 2:7
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