By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3-4)
For a long time, I have contemplated and researched this verse, but the information I found never truly satisfied me. It wasn’t until God revealed some profound yet straightforward insights that I felt compelled to share them in this article.
I will present practical applications of this verse, using biblical examples to clarify its meaning and deepen our understanding of this Scripture.
1. Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding
The opening verse contains three key elements that I’ll define and demonstrate how each depends on each other.
- Knowledge can be described as a fact or information that is acquired through learning or experience.
- Wisdom on the other hand is the purpose of the facts or information (knowledge).
- understanding deals with how the the facts and information (knowledge) can be utilized to fulfill the intended purpose (wisdom).
The proverb indicates that wisdom is the house plan, knowledge is the building materials, understanding is the work and effort expended in building the house.
To provide more clarity, wisdom is the purpose behind a goal or vision (to build a house). Knowledge gathers the necessary facts and information (the great and precious treasures) needed to reach that goal, while understanding brings the goal to life through execution (establishing the house).
The word house in this expression symbolically refers not just to a physical structure but can also apply to a life, a business, a project, and more.
Let’s explore more ways in which this proverb can be applied to deepen our understanding of Scripture.
2. Angel Gabriel Reveals Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding
When Mary encountered the angel of the Lord, their dialogue reveals the application of our opening verse, encompassing wisdom, knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge
Angel Gabriel, said, “Greetings, favored woman! the Lord is with you”, in Luke 1:28.
These words are classified as knowledge revealing that two things:
- Mary is favored
- The LORD is with her.
Wisdom
Next, the angel reveals the profound wisdom, will and purpose of God for Mary’s life in Luke 1:31-33, which reads:
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
In this verse, Gabriel tells Mary what would happen in the future. The angel revealed God’s goal and purpose concerning the conception, earthly life, and future of Jesus.
From this, we can establish that wisdom deals with a future goal, vision, and purpose. Most importantly, wisdom can only be received from God.
Wisdom can only be acquired through revelation from the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:10)
Understanding
Mary then asks for understanding to grasp how God’s goal, vision, and purpose to bring His Son to earth will be fulfilled.
In Luke 1:34, Mary asks, “But how can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel then provides the final piece of understanding – explaining how the vision and purpose of God will prevail in Luke 1:35 which reads:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”
From this analysis, I have established a framework to demonstrate how wisdom, knowledge, and understanding work together.
3. A Framework For Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding
Below is an illustration demonstrating what wisdom, knowledge and understanding encompasses.
Wisdom
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wisdom the ability to discern, have good judgement and to have good sense.
However, we can establish that wisdom is spiritual, comes from God (Proverbs 2:6), can only be revealed by God and it’s channeled by the Holy Spirit from God to people.
Knowledge
Encompasses facts, information, experiences and even opinions.
Understanding
Understanding is demonstrated through actions and execution. The levels of knowledge and wisdom are reflected in how an individual behaves, acts, and operates.
Let’s uncover how this framework can be applied in the lives biblical figures.
4.How Jesus Demonstrated Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding
Jesus demonstrated wisdom, knowledge and understanding in the following ways:
Knowledge
It is recorded that Jesus’ early life was marked by learning the Scriptures. He was often found in the temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them, and asking questions (Luke 2:47).
Through this learning, Jesus would have discovered facts concerning Himself as foretold by the prophets.
Wisdom
We have defined wisdom as the purpose of God, revealed only through the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized, the Bible says the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the voice of God from heaven said to Him:
“You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
These words reveal the purpose of God within Jesus: to bring Him great joy. Let’s uncover how Jesus’ actions, which reveal his understanding, achieved the purpose of God.
Understanding
Understanding is the practical demonstration of knowledge and wisdom, which Jesus displayed in many acts, including:
- Overcoming temptation
- Teaching in the synagogue
- Healing the sick and the crippled
- Granting forgiveness
- Feeding the hungry
- Calming the storms
- Preaching the Good News
- Revealing God through himself
- Dying on the cross for our sins
All these activities, Jesus brought joy to the Father. In his own words before the crucifixion, Jesus said in John 17:4, which reads:
“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.“
5. How Paul Demonstrated Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding
The wisdom, knowledge and understanding framework can also be applied to the life of Paul
Knowledge
Paul was a Pharisee, as he described himself in Acts 26:5. Pharisees were individuals who were experts in religious law. Therefore, Paul had in-depth information and knowledge about the Law of Moses.
Wisdom
God revealed the purpose of Paul’s life to a man named Ananias through a vision, as recorded in Acts 9:15. Which reads:
“Go, for Saul [later named Paul] is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.“
Paul encountered Jesus on the road to persecute Christians in Damascus. Following this encounter, he became blind for three days. Thereafter, Ananias, laid his hands upon him saying this prayer:
Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Through the Holy Spirit, Paul began to engage the wisdom of God concerning the purpose of his life.
Understanding
Having attained knowledge of the Scriptures and the wisdom of God through the Holy Spirit, Paul began to act according to divine understanding—preaching the gospel (Acts 9:20–23).
Paul was committed to sharing the Good News in places where it had not yet been heard. He traveled across the Roman Empire, preaching boldly, and continued even while in prison—declaring the Good News through written letters to the churches scattered across the regions.
Preaching the Good News was Paul’s demonstration of knowledge of the Scriptures and the wisdom of the purposes of God for his life.
n his own words, Paul said—with emphasis added—in 1 Corinthians 15:10–11:
“But whatever I am now [an apostle preaching the Good News to the Gentiles], it is all because God poured out his special favor [by enlightenment through the Holy Spirit] on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles [demonstrating the knowledge of the Scriptures and wisdom of the purposes of God]; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”
6. How To Apply The Wisdom, Knowledge And Understanding Framework In Your Life
Proverbs 4:7 reads: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom.” This proverb emphasizes that acquiring wisdom—which is the purpose of God—is paramount for your life.
In a world where countless facts, information, and opinions are constantly published, it can be challenging to discern what truly aligns with your own life and destiny.
Only a deep encounter and relationship with God can reveal His purpose for your life. No one knows your true purpose and destiny except God.
The Holy Spirit is able to reveal divine wisdom so that you can live a purposeful life—one that brings glory and joy to our Heavenly Father, just as Jesus glorified God during His earthly life.
Paul encapsulates this beautifully in his letter to the believers in Colossae (Colossians 1:9–10):
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please God, and your lives will produce every good fruit.
7. Jesus Expects Us to Use the Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding Framework
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, his final words in Acts 1:8 encompass wisdom, knowledge and understanding as follows:
Wisdom
“But you will receive Power when the Holy Spirit come upon you.”
The Holy Spirit provides wisdom, he is referred to as the Spirit of truth in John 16:13. He is able to reveal the deep secrets of God and His will and purpose for our lives.
Knowledge
“And you will be my witnesses.”
To be a witness means to have knowledge, evidence and proof that Jesus is the Son of God and He is alive. Click to read more on how to be a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.
Understanding
“Telling people about me everywhere – In Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Our lives should reveal Jesus Christ to all people. This is why Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We undertake actions that reveal Jesus Christ and honor and glorify God.
8. Concluding Remarks
Psalm 127:1 reads, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders labor in vain.” This verse assures us that only the will and purpose of God for our lives will ultimately prevail, regardless of the paths we may have taken before making Jesus our Lord and Savior.
This truth was exemplified in the life of Paul, who was on his way to persecute Christians, but whose journey was interrupted and transformed after an encounter with Jesus.
Persecuting Christians was not God’s will for Paul’s life. Yet God still used the knowledge and experiences Paul had acquired before his salvation to fulfill the divine purpose set for him.
Paul understood this truth and expressed it clearly in Romans 8:28, which reads:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
This Scripture is truly liberating—it has helped me release all regrets. It assures me that everything I’ve ever done, said, or thought can be used by God, through His divine wisdom, to bring about the fulfillment of my life’s purpose when I surrender my life to Christ.
This is the amazing truth that sets us free: when we are in Christ, there are no regrets!
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). This verse assures us that no matter the course our lives may have taken, God’s will ultimately prevail—provided that Christ is in us.
Christ is in you, therefore, your life should to reveal his glory. Jesus brought glory to the Father, likewise, when Christ is in us, we bring glory to him and the Father
Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
8.1. The Caveat
There is however a caveat, one can still operate and act based on facts and information that is amiss. This occurs when one is operating outside the will of God.
A case in point is Paul, then called Saul, who went about persecuting Christians based on the knowledge he had. But when he encountered Jesus, he received the wisdom of God and redirected his actions toward preaching the Good News.
Dear reader, are you willing to search the wisdom of God concerning your life? Only God can reveal to you your life’s purpose. He can use all the knowledge and experiences you have acquired to accomplish the purpose of His will by His divine intelligence.
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