2. Who is the wisest woman in the Bible?

3. Some Candidates… 1.Rehab the harlot – Joshua 2,6 2.Mother of Moses – Exodus 2 3.Abigail – I Samuel 25 4.Queen of Sheba – I Kings 10 5.The woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5

4. Maybe it is the Proverbs 31 lady, but perhaps in a different way than what you were thinking. Kenneth Way, a Bible professor at Talbot School of Theology sees Proverbs 31 in a different light.

5. Proverbs 31 is not just for mothers and wives. The poem to the “wife of noble character” is actually about wisdom itself. It is therefore equally applicable to both men and women. The book of Proverbs is actually framed as a father’s instruction to his son about the pursuit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord (see Prov. 1-9).

6. In the first half of the book, wisdom is presented to the son in the form of a young eligible woman who calls out for a mate (see Prov. 8), and she is contrasted with Lady Folly in Proverbs 9:13-18. The son has two options – to seek out Lady Wisdom and live or to follow after Lady Folly and die.

7. The second half of the book concludes with the same metaphor – wisdom personified as a woman. But chapter 31 does not present wisdom as a young eligible maiden like in chapter 8. It rather presents her as the settled and mature wife of a man who has it all (see 31:11,23). Biola Magazine, Spring 2009, p. 39

8. So if lady wisdom was to pick up the Corinthian epistles and come up with some major wisdom on life, what would it be?

9. Since Lady Wisdom was unavailable for comment, I put myself in her high heels, and this is what I came up with…

10. Five key words from the Corinthian epistles which embody wisdom and make a difference in how we live.

11. 1. Gratitude Being thankful to God for all that He has given us is integral to a healthy Christian life, joy, and brings glory to the Father.

12. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. II Corinthians 4:15 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. II Corinthians 9:11

13. How is it possible to have a thankful heart when life is at its lowest? Is there a difference between being thankful for specific things in my life and being thankful for my overall life?

14. 2. Contentment Most humans focus daily on what is wrong with their lives rather than what is right with them. Contentment doesn’t mean abandoning any hope of self-improvement, only being satisfied on the journey.

15. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. I Corinthians 7:21

16. Do you have a dissatisfying job? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to get a better job, rather do that.

17. Do you not have enough money to buy a larger home? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to get a bigger home, rather do that.

18. Are you stuck with a spouse that does meet your needs? Do not worry about it; but if you are able to improve you marriage, rather do that.

19. 3. Grace We are saved by God’s grace and we live by His grace. A believer who truly gets how undeserving and hopeless they were in their BC days, and how magnificent God’s grace was in making heaven possible, will extend that grace to all.

20. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. I Corinthians 15:9-10

21. Why is it hard for some Christians to extend grace to others when if it wasn’t for God’s grace they would be hell bound?

22. 4. Comparing Constant comparing ourselves to others is a guaranteed way of never measuring up. There will always be others that have more or a perceived better life. Stop the comparing now!

23. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. II Corinthians 10:12

24. How does one break the addiction of constant comparing himself or herself with those who they feel have it so much better?

25. 5. Suffering There are no substitutions for trials, difficulties, pain, and even suffering in maturing God’s children. It is a simple fact of spiritual life. The dividends however are enriching, intimacy, maturity, and strength.

26. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. II Corinthians 4:17

27. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:9-10

28. What is the best way to help others in coping with the trials and pain of life?