1 Cor 12:1-11 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” KJV
1 Cor 12:31″But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” KJV
1 Cor 14:1 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” KJV
The Three Divisions of the Gifts
Revelation, Power, and Utterance Gifts
The three groups are: 1) Revelation – reveal something, (wisdom or knowledge) or discernment 2) Power – do something; faith, working of miracles, gifts of healing 3) Utterance – say something; prophecy, tongues or interpretation of tongues The
Through these gifts the Holy Spirit is revealing the truth of God to man. This is a revelation of things that would be entirely unknown to mere physical man. It cannot be known by the physical senses or brain. The only way these gifts manifest is by the inspiration of God through divine revelation.
There are three Revelation gifts. The first of these is the word of wisdom. The word of wisdom is the most important gift and therefore is placed first. It is the most powerful of all of the nine gifts of the spirit. Without the word of wisdom, most of the Bible would not have been written. There are many examples of the word of wisdom throughout the Bible.
A word of wisdom is a word, proclamation, or declaration, that is supernaturally given by God. Its purpose is to meet the need of a particular future occasion or problem. The word of wisdom is just that, it is a word, not a paragraph or an entire book, but just a word. It is a revelation of the mind and purpose of God or a solution for an answer to a problem.
It is given to a person through words, visions or dreams. It provides understanding and instruction on what action to take.
It is not revealed through human ability or natural wisdom. It is a God’s revelation of His plans and purposes.
The word of wisdom might be defined as a supernatural revelation of the mind and purpose of God communicated by the Holy Spirit. It is God’s wisdom imparted to man. It might be designated as the gift of the word of God’s wisdom. When the Lord specifically reveals His purpose to an individual, that person possesses a word of God’s wisdom. Quite apart from this supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit, however, the Lord is willing to guide believers in their daily affairs, and to give them wisdom, as required for any particular circumstance, in the same way as He is willing to heal the sick apart from the gifts of healing
Is the word of wisdom a very important gift?
Of the nine gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, three are gifts of revelation; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits. The word of wisdom is the first of these three gifts of revelation, and indeed, first in the category of spiritual gifts, and can be regarded therefore, as the greatest of the gifts of the Spirit?
How has the word of wisdom been defined? Some have suggested that it is a natural gift of wisdom, sanctified to the service of God. Since all wisdom comes from God, they say that the consecration of a natural gift becomes a spiritual manifestation. Is this a good argument? Decidedly not. The great weakness is that the same rule would have to apply to all the other gifts also.
In what other way has the word of wisdom been defined? It has been suggested that the word of wisdom is a deep insight into the scriptures, the ability to divide rightly the Word of Truth.
If we allow that this is the true interpretation of the word of wisdom, then every Bible teacher could claim to have this first and greatest gift of the Holy Spirit. It would thus be exceedingly difficult to draw the line of demarcation between the Sunday School teacher, giving his or her interpretation of the school lesson, and some long-experienced Bible expositor giving a deep study on some important doctrine.
Has it ever been suggested that the word of wisdom is the ability to speak wisely? Yes, it has been suggested often that the word of wisdom is the ability to speak wisely; to exercise tact, to say a word in season, or to assist those who are needing a word of counsel or admonition.
The word of wisdom is confused many times with simple wisdom in the affairs of life, but simple wisdom in the affairs of life is not a spiritual gift. In the beginning of Joshua’s ministry, God told him that the key to his success would lie in meditating on the Word of God, and that is how Joshua was to obtain wisdom in the affairs of life.
JOSHUA 1:8 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Another translation says, “Thou shalt make thyself prosperous and thou shalt be able to deal wisely in the affairs of life.” There is a wisdom that is gained through the knowledge of God’s Word, but that is not the supernatural manifestation of the gift of the word of wisdom.
Some people think that Solomon’s wisdom was a manifestation of this word of wisdom, but it wasn’t. Solomon’s wisdom was given to him by God, just as we read in James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
God has promised that this wisdom, which I simply call general wisdom to deal in the affairs of life, is available to everyone who will ask for it. God will impart wisdom, but that is not a supernatural manifestation of the word of wisdom.
Paul said in First Corinthians 12:8, “To one is given the word of wisdom.” This verse says the manifestation of the word of wisdom is given to one; not to all, stating that spiritual gifts are divided severally as the Spirit wills. This infers that not everyone is going to have these manifestations.
A Word of Wisdom has Unique Characteristics.
It is purely supernatural in origin. It is not natural wisdom. It does not follow natural rules of reason and thought.
It is supernatural in its function. It does not depend on human ability. It depends upon God.
It is supernatural in its revelation. It comes to us by the Holy Spirit. It is divine counsel that He gives to us.
The difference between the two gifts — the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom — is that the revelation the word of knowledge brings is always present tense or concerning something that has happened in the past. On the other hand, the word of wisdom always speaks of the future.
Why do we need a Word of Wisdom?
The Holy Spirit provides a word of wisdom at the appropriate time, so we can apply supernaturally-given wisdom to a particular problem or need.
John 16:13 (NKJV) “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
A word of wisdom removes confusion. It gives you clear understanding for your next decision or action. It can change your destiny.
Examples of the word of wisdom in the Bible.
We can see how the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge flowed together as the prophets prophesied. The Old Testament prophets often operated in these gifts along with the gift of prophecy. The Old Testament prophets not only prophesied about the present, which is the word of knowledge in operation, but they also prophesied about things in the future, which is the word of wisdom in operation. And their prophecies foretold of events in the near future as well as events in the distant future, including the New Covenant and the coming Messiah. Prophecy Can Be a Vehicle Through Which Other Gifts Can Flow. The prime example of a word of wisdom in the New Testament is shown in Revelation. In this book Jesus revealed to John what would happen in the last days.
Now we will give several Old Testament examples of the word of wisdom operating.
God gave Noah a word of wisdom about the ark, and how to build it. He gave both a word of knowledge, that the earth is filled with violence, and a word of wisdom, that he would destroy them with the earth. He also gave a word of wisdom in telling Noah how to build the ark.
Genesis 6:13-18 13And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.14Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.15And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.16You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
Genesis 7:1-6 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female;3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” 5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.
God gave Abraham a word of wisdom about what he was about to do in Sodom. God wants us to know what dangers will occur in our family in the future so we can pray about it, and thereby protect our family from the danger. This is one important reason for the word of wisdom. This word of wisdom came in an open vision. An open vision is one that you see into the spiritual world with your natural eyes. The Lord appeared to Abraham physically and spoke with him about what was going to happen to Sodom.
Genesis 18:16-30 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
This example of a word of wisdom came to Joseph in a dream. Whereas the word of wisdom to Abraham was fulfilled within days, Joseph’s dream took years to be fulfilled. Just as with Joseph, many times when you have a word of wisdom, you will be criticized or persecuted by others. But just as Joseph held onto his dream, you also must hold on to the word God has given you until it is manifested.
Genesis 37:5-11 5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Ge:42:6: And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
In Acts 9:10-16, The Lord instructs Ananias to go to a particular house on a particular street. He reveals to Ananias the content of Saul’s vision. He twice commands him to “go” to Saul.
Ananias obeys.
Acts 9:10-18 (NKJV) “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus
named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And
he said, “Here I am, Lord.” {11} So the Lord said to him, “Arise and
go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas
for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. {12} And in
a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his
hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” {13} Then Ananias
answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much
harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. {14} And here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” {15}
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to
bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
{16} “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My
name’s sake.” {17} And Ananias went his way and entered the house;
and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you
may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” {18}
Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he
received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.”
Verses 15-16 are words of wisdom. Verses 11,12 and 17 are words of knowledge.
Agabus gives a word of wisdom about a drought to enable the Christians to avoid problems by storing up food.
Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Again Agabus brings forth a word of wisdom about Paul being bound. This time Paul did not heed the warning because the Holy Spirit had already told him that he would go to Rome bound.
ACTS 21:10-13 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, THUS SAITH THE HOLY GHOST, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul is given a word of wisdom about the ship being lost but no lives would be lost.
Acts 27:22-26 “And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. {23} For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, {24} saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ {25}Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. {26} However, we must run aground on a certain island.
Conditional Words of Wisdom
There were some incidents in the Old Testament when a prophet received a word from God which did not come to pass. Some manifestations of the word of wisdom are conditional, depending upon the person’s obedience.
For example, in the case of Hezekiah the king, God told Isaiah to go and give him a word of wisdom concerning the future — the plan and purpose of God for Hezekiah’s life under the present conditions. Isaiah was to tell Hezekiah, “. . . Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:1).
Isaiah delivered the message and then went his way. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, repented of his wrongdoings, cried and prayed to God, and reminded God that he had walked before God wholeheartedly in times past. He told God that he had kept His commandments even though he had missed it in certain areas. And Hezekiah repented.
Then before Isaiah even got out of the courtyard, the word of the Lord came to Isaiah again, telling him to go back and give Hezekiah another word of wisdom. It was a word of wisdom because it still concerned the future. God said to Isaiah, Tell Hezekiah I am going to give him fifteen more years” (2 Kings 20:5,6). This first prophecy or word of wisdom, and even the second prophecy or word of wisdom which were given to Hezekiah, were conditional. According to the first word of wisdom, under the existing conditions, Hezekiah was going to die. This promise was conditional, however. In other words, if Hezekiah had not repented, he would have died. According to the second word of wisdom, Hezekiah would be spared and fifteen years would be added to his life. And it may have been that Hezekiah could have changed the latter part of this word of wisdom regarding the fifteen years that were to be added to him, just as he had changed the first part (Isa. 43:26).
Jonah God spoke to the prophet Jonah and gave him a word of wisdom that Nineveh was going to be destroyed if the people of that great city did not repent and turn to God. This was a word of wisdom that Jonah received concerning the plans and purposes of God, and it was concerning a future event — the destruction of Nineveh. Jonah didn’t care whether Nineveh was destroyed or not, and as a result, he didn’t want to go and warn the people. God dealt with him in the belly of a great fish, however, and he went and preached to the people of Nineveh, warning them of impending judgment if they didn’t turn to God (Jonah 3:4). The word Jonah gave to the Ninevites was conditional: if they repented, they would be spared. If they failed to repent, Nineveh would be destroyed. The people of Nineveh repented and judgment didn’t fall on Nineveh in that generation, although it eventually did come (See the Book of Nahum).
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