Spiritual Gift: Utterance of wisdom

The only place in Scripture that the spiritual gift of wisdom is located is 1 Corinthians 12:8. It says this: For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.

Like the other spiritual gifts, wisdom is given by the Holy Spirit. It is not a natural wisdom, but an imparted gift from the Spirit for the encouragement of the Church. According to Frank Thielman, Ph.D. of Divinity at Duke University (ESV Study Bible), this is the only place in Scripture Paul uses these specific Greek words together: logos sophias and logos gnoseos. These mean the speaking or words of divine or mysterious things and the speaking or words of more advanced knowledge.

Since we know Paul uses a separate term for prophecy (propheteia), we could believe that Paul is explaining the gift as an ability to speak wisely or with knowledge into a hard to understand or discerning situation.

D.A. Carson says in his commentary on 1 Cor. 12:8 "In the Old Testament, wisdom was split into two approaches: 1) A practical way of telling believers how to live their lives under the fear of God 2) Wisdom was more theoretical and doctrinal explained through teaching."

We must realize the verse in context and how it is grouped with other spiritual gifts, with the purpose of encouraging the Church. If you have this gift, which is a temporary gift that comes and goes, feel free to comment and encourage myself and others. Peace and grace!