If we remember our study last week we saw that the original plan was for the Holy Spirit to not dwell in a temple. In fact the plan was also for the people not to have a king. But the people wanted a king. David wanted to build a place for Yahweh to dwell. David being a man of blood was not allowed to build a temple, therefore Solomon was tasked with that project. After Solomon’s death, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom, resided among all the defilements in the temple. Just prior to the southern kingdom’s captivity, the Holy Spirt left the temple. At that point the Holy Spirit went back to only indwelling righteous and holy people, the prophets and the Zadok priests. But upon Jesus’ death, the curtain that separated man from God was torn from top to bottom and the way to the Father was made available. Then Pentecost made the indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all people of all nations. There is a progression here. Yes, Israel was mocked when people walked by the temple and realized that Yahweh had forsaken them, but a new covenant made it available for everyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We find some of our greatest studies of the Holy Spirit from Solomon in his younger years. The Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirt of Wisdom, or Sophia.
When we think of wisdom we think of something that we can attain with experience so that we can make better decisions. In actuality, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom, and we can have wisdom without advanced age or experience. We can ask questions of Wisdom and receive answers, face to face. Let’s explore.
Wis 1:1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.
Wis 1:2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him.
Wis 1:3 For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise.
Wis 1:4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.
Wis 1:5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
Wis 1:6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
Wis 1:7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
Solomon has told us that the Spirit of Wisdom does not dwell in a malicious soul or in the body of a sinner. Sophia is a loving spirit and she fills the world. Those who live a constrained or controlled life will have, and can have, the knowledge of Sophia’s voice. Wisdom is a Holy Spirit.
Wis 7:22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,
Wis 7:23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits.
Wis 7:24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.
Wis 7:25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.
Wis 7:26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.
Wis 7:27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets.
Wis 7:28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
Sophia is a subtle spirit. She is not a hammer. She moves like wind and she can pass through all things because she is pure. She is like the breath of the power of God and the Glory of the Almighty. Sophia is a bright light. She is a mirror or reflection of God’s goodness. In all ages she enters into holy souls and those people become friends of God and prophets. In other words, without Sophia, no one is a friend of God or a prophet. God loves those that dwell with Sophia. Solomon lets’ Sophia tell us about herself.
Proverbs 8:1 G1473 You G3588 G4678 [2wisdom G2784 1shall proclaim], G2443 that G5428 intellect G1473 should obey you. G5219
4678 TBESG:σοφία wisdom
G:N-F
σοφία, -ας, ἡ
[in LXX chiefly for חׇכְמָה ;]
skill, intelligence, wisdom, ranging from knowledge of the arts and matters of daily life to mental excellence in its highest and fullest sense;
__(a) of human wisdom:
of wisdom in spiritual things:
__(b) of divine wisdom: of God,
of wisdom personified,
SYN.: σύνεσις, intelligence; φρόνησις, prudence, which with σ. make up (Arist., N. Eth., i, 13) the three intellectual ἀρεταί. σ. is wisdom primary and absolute; in distinction from which φ. is practical, σύνεσις critical, both being applications of σ. in detail (cf. Lft., and ICC on Col.1:9; Lft., Notes, 317 f.; Tr., Syn., § LXXv; Cremer, 870 ff.). (AS)
4680 TBESG:σοφός wise
G:A
σοφός, -ή, -όν
[in LXX chiefly for חָכָם ;]
skilled, clever, wise, whether in handicraft, the affairs of life, the sciences or learning:
of Jewish teachers,
Christian, of those endowed with practical wisdom,
of God, SYN.: συνετός, φρόνιμος (see: σοφία, SYN.) (AS)
H999
TBESH:
בִּינָה
bi.nah
A:N-F
understanding
1) understanding, discernment
H2451
TBESH:
חׇכְמָה
chokh.mah
H:N-F
wisdom
1) wisdom
1a) skill (in war)
1b) wisdom (in administration)
1c) shrewdness, wisdom
1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
5428
φρόνησις
phronēsis fron'-ay-sis From G5426; mental action or activity, that is, intellectual or moral insight
KJV Usage: prudence, wisdom
Sophia, wisdom, comes from the word sophos, meaning “wise”. The word wisdom is “Sophia” in the Greek and it is in the feminine form, G:N-F. It is also feminine in Aramaic A:N-F. Wisdom is feminine in Hebrew as well, H:N-F. There are also genders in the Latin language. However, in English, we have a problem because we do not use masculine and feminine genders for words. Hebrew uses the feminine form for Sophia. The translators around 250 BCE used the feminine form for Sophia in the Septuagint. Northern Aramaic, which was the language that the first century disciples used for speaking, uses the feminine form for wisdom as well. Why then do we think that the Holy Spirit is masculine? Simply because our language does not use genders and English translators did not use feminine pronouns for Sophia. Instead they ascribed either masculine pronouns or neutral pronouns. Sophia is not a “he”, or an “it”.
Sophia proclaims that intellect, phronēsis, should obey her. That is a loaded statement. Sophia is heralding: “Intellect, you listen!”. Sophia is the authority, intellect is the subordinate. Sophia should dominate our mental activity and moral insight. It is the original design of man for Sophia to be an authority in our lives and phronēsis to be obedient to Sophia.
We can see that Solomon is giving Sophia the chance to talk to us. She wants us to know her and understand her.
Proverbs 8:2 G1909 [3upon G1063 1For G3588 4the G5308 5high G206.1 6extremities G1510.2.3 2she is], G303.1 [3in the midst G1161 1and G3588 4of the G5147 5paths G2476 2she stands].
Sophia is in the high extremities or uppermost places, and she stands between the beaten paths. She is in heaven and on the earth. There isn’t anyplace she won’t be.
Proverbs 8:3 G3844 For by G1063 G4439 the gates G1413 of mighty ones G3917.1 she is occupied; G1722 and in G1161 G1529 the entrances G5214 sings, saying,
Sophia is in the presence of the double gates of the princes and rulers that she intervenes in, but on the other hand, entering, she sings religious hymns. This is her mission, she is commanding intellect to listen to her, she intervenes among the rulers and authorities, and she sings odes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all slow down long enough to hear her songs?
Proverbs 8:4 G1473 You, G5599 O G444 men, G3870 I comfort; G2532 and G4290.2 I let go G1699 with my G5456 voice G5207 to the sons G444 of men.
Sophia says to manfaced ‘I call and my voice produces manfaced children’. Generally we know that children hear the Holy Spirit more clearly than adults. Children are more receptive to Sophia. She calls and children hear her, which produces more followers of men.
Proverbs 8:5 G3539 Comprehend, G172 O guileless ones, G3834 astuteness! G3588 and O G1161 G521 uninstructed, G1783.2 insert it G2588 in heart!
Sophia asks if we, the innocent ones, understand subtlety, but on the other hand she says the uneducated, insert your heart. The innocent people do understand the subtlety of Sophia. She doesn’t hammer us over the head, but suggests things to us. ‘Insert your heart’ sounds odd, but if we are uneducated or uninformed she is suggesting to put her into your heart. She might say “insert me in your heart". This is how we become educated.
Proverbs 8:6 G1522 Listen to G1473 me! G4586 [3serious things G1063 1for G2046 2I shall speak], G2532 and G399 I will offer G575 [2from G5491 3 my lips G3717 1straight things]!
Sophia says ‘listen to me for I speak honorably and bring direct from my mouth’. She speaks directly from Yahweh, she never says anything dishonorable or unrighteous.
Proverbs 8:7 G3754 For G225 [3truth G3191 2shall meditate G3588 G2995 1my throat]; G1473 G948 [4 are abhorrent G1161 1and G1726 5before G1473 6me G5491 3lips G5571 2lying].
Sophia says truth (alēthia) revolves in her larynx, but deceitful lips she abhors and detests in her presence. Think about this statement in light of our study last week. How could we ever expect Sophia to reside within a temple full of corruption? How could we insist that she reside in a person full of sin? (Wisdom 1:4) Most people do not like the truth. They do not want to hear Sophia correct them. But if you ask her, Sophia will always tell you the truth. Jesus said he was sending the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17).
Proverbs 8:8 G3326 [5 are with G1343 6righteousness G3956 1All G3588 2the G4487 3sayings G3588 G4750 4of my mouth]; G1473 G3762 nothing G1722 in G1473 them G4646 is crooked G3761 nor G4751.4 insidious.
Sophia says that all the rhēma in the midst of her mouth are righteous. Nothing in Sophia is perverse or twisted.
Proverbs 8:9 G3956 All G1799.1 is face to face G3588 to the ones G4920 perceiving; G2532 and G3717 straight G3588 to the ones G2147 finding G1108 knowledge.
Sophia is in front of, or face to face with, those who mentally comprehend, or put it together. And she is direct to those who find gnōsis, knowledge. Gnōsis is a “judicial inquiry”, meaning that Sophia is direct or upright when asked questions. If we strive to put it together, she is always in front of our face, ready to answer.
This is curious, isn’t it? We can see why church leaders in the dark ages hid the understanding of Sophia, because with her, we the laity, would not need them to the extent church leaders wanted the laity to rely on them. Unfortunately this left humans with an imbalance in spiritual understanding. Rome had made Christianity the state religion and added many pagan ideas to Christianity. At the end of the middle ages Martin Luther made some great adjustments to Christianity. When the KJV was translated at the end of the Renaissance period they used the Masoretic Text for their Old Covenant translation. Sophia, the Spirit of Wisdom, has been in front of our faces this whole time, but we may not have understood her subtlety.
Proverbs 8:10 G2983 Receive G3809 instruction, G2532 and G3361 not G694 silver! G2532 and G1108 knowledge G5228 above G5553 [2gold G1381 1tried].
Sophia says to lay hold of instruction, training, and education, and not silver, and lay hold of gnōsis, knowledge over examined gold.
Proverbs 8:11 G2908 [3 is better G1063 1For G4678 2wisdom G3037 5stones G4185 4 than very costly]; G3956 and every G1161 G5093 esteemed thing G3756 [2not G514 3worth G1473 4her G1510.2.3 1is].
Sophia is more excellent than precious stones. On the other hand all the precious stones are not deserving of her. You could gather up all the valuable gems and minerals, but all those costly things are not worthy of what Sophia’s value is. In other words, don’t bother digging for gems, dig for Sophia.
Proverbs 8:12 G1473 I G3588 G4678 wisdom G2681 encamped G1012 with counsel G2532 and G1108 knowledge; G2532 and G1771 [3reflection G1473 1I G1941 2called upon].
Sophia kataskēnoō, downward (kata) camps (skēnoō) or occupies from above to below. She downward camps with counsel or deliberate wisdom, and gnōsis, judicial inquiry, and Sophia invokes ennoia, thoughts in the mind. Sophia comes down from heaven and occupies people who search for deliberate wisdom and judicial inquiry. Then Sophia calls into thoughts in the mind of those people. It is our actions desiring knowledge and truth, that bring Sophia into our lives. She gives us understanding. As we know, we are the temples of the Holy Spirit and she dwells within us.
Proverbs 8:13 G5401 The fear G2962 of the lord G3404 detests G93 injustice; G5196 insolence G5037 also, G2532 and G5243 pride, G2532 and G3598 the ways G4190 of evil ones; G3404 [3have detested G1161 1and G1473 2I] G1294 the perverting G3598 ways G2556 of evil men.
Sophia says that the fear of Yahweh hates wrongdoing or injustice. The fear of Yahweh hates hubris also; and arrogance, and the path of evil. And Sophia hates the distorted path of evil. If we fear Yahweh, we will be guided away from the path of the evil ones. Sophia actually hates, just like Yahweh hates, the works of iniquity. This tells us that Sophia has emotions just like Yahweh, which is also why we must guard against grieving Sophia as well.
Proverbs 8:14 G1699 [4 are mine G1012 1Counsel G2532 2and G803 3safety]; G1699 [2 is mine G5428 1intelligence], G1699 [3 is mine G1161 1and G2479 2strength].
Sophia says that deliberate wisdom and security against stumbling are “of me”. Understanding, which leads to right action, are “of me”, Sophia. And strength, are “of me”, Sophia. We could say that the things that come from Sophia are deliberate wisdom, security against stumbling, understanding that leads to right action, and strength. Who wouldn’t want any of this?
Proverbs 8:15 G1223 By G1473 me G935 kings G936 reign, G2532 and G3588 the G1413 mighty ones G1125 write G1343 righteousness.
Through Sophia, kings rule and the rulers write justice. What does that mean? Sophia influences kings, and the rulers write laws of justice and right judgment. When we look at the writers of documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill or Rights, we see the divine hand of Sophia helping those writers. We also see the lack of the divine hand of Sophia in places where justice is lacking. Remember, Sophia hates the paths of the evil ones. Notice what she tells us next.
Proverbs 8: 16 G1223 Through G1473 me G3175 great men G3170 become magnified, G2532 and G5181 sovereigns G1223 through G1473 me G2902 take hold G1093 of the earth.
Through Sophia, great ones increase, and sovereigns through Sophia seize the earth. The word Turannos is a proper name for “Tyrannus” which means “sovereign”. We may think turannos means “tyrant”, but it it does not; it means sovereign which means “supreme ruler”. We understand these people as those who become leaders who are not bound by laws, constitutions, or religious edicts, and they take over the earth through Sophia. Think of kings with no parliaments, lords, or governors, with no overlords of their own. Sophia is responsible for the growth and increase of those people. In some ways that sounds scary, as we see people who are evil rise up to run nations, but evil people do not seek out Sophia. Sophia increases those who seek for her guidance and for her knowledge. When evil people rise up they increase through the god of this world. No wonder Sophia hates evil. She sees the oppression and the depression of humans.
Proverbs 8:17 G1473 I G3588 [2the ones G1473 4me G5368 3being fond of G25 1love]; G3588 and the ones G1161 G1473 seeking me G2212 G2147 shall find G5484 favor.
Sophia loves (agapaō) those who regard her with affection (phileō). And those who seek in order to find Sophia discover her through favor. Sophia is our friend and those who love her as a friend, she deeply loves in return. We may be alone on the earth, but if we seek out Sophia we are loved. That is far better than the god of this world who does not love anyone.
Proverbs 8:18 G4149 Wealth G2532 and G1391 glory G1473 exist by me, G5224 G2532 and G2934.3 [2property G4183 1much] G2532 and G1343 righteousness.
Wealth and renown are in Sophia’s hands, and many acquisitions, and justice. It does not seem that we can lose when we search out Sophia.
Proverbs 8:19 G957 Best G1473 to gather my fruit G2589.4 G5228 than G5553 gold G2532 and G3037 [2stone G5093 1precious]; G3588 G1161 and G1699 my G1081 produce G2908 is better than G694 [2silver G1588 1choice].
It is better to gather the fruit of Sophia rather than gold and precious gems, but Sophia’s offspring are more excellent than selected silver. Paul explained the fruit of the Spirit and the produce of the Spirit. There is a play on words here. Produce as a verb means “to manufacture”, but produce as a noun means “fruits and vegetables”.
There is another unusual message here. The idea of “gathering fruit” καρπίζεσθαι, is also a strange idea. This word comes under the definition of “knower of hearts” or “knower of the inner life”. Fruit is καρπός and cardiologist is καρδιογνώστης which is also understood as “cardio knowledge”. Oddly, in the ancient Paleo Hebrew, the picture is of an open mouth and a head, meaning “open the head”. Sophia, the knower of hearts, is telling us indirectly to open our head to this understanding. Let’s read what Paul wrote.
Gal 5:22 (ISV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Paul also explains the produce or the offspring of the Spirit.
1Co 12:4 (ISV) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit,
1Co 12:5 and there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 There are varieties of results, but it is the same God who produces all the results in everyone.
1Co 12:7 To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good.
1Co 12:8 To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit;
1Co 12:10 to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
1Co 12:11 But one and the same Spirit produces all these results and gives what he wants to each person.
Now we understand, if we gather the fruit of the Spirit, we will produce or manifest the Spirit. If we open our head to Sophia we will produce something better than silver. The offspring or produce of Sophia are a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. How do we get these nine products of the Spirit? Through the nine fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Sophia says to gather the fruit first and then you will produce things more excellent than choice silver. Sophia says to open your head to the knower of hearts because her fruit is better than gold, and her produce is better than silver. We cannot produce anything without opening our heads to the knower of hearts.
Proverbs 8:20 G1722 [2in G3598 3 the ways G1343 4of righteousness G4043 1I walk], G2532 and G303.1 [2in the midst G5147 3of paths G1345 4of reason G390 1I return];
Sophia walks up and down in the path of justice and overturns between a worn path, an act by which wrong is set right. Sophia overturns judicial decisions or sentences. This is very important for us to understand. The god of this world set himself up as a judge and he harshly judges those who have rejected him. The devil does not bother to judge his own children unless forced to by our advocacy in the courts of heaven. Yet he judges us for any misstep. Sophia walks the path of justice and overturns those judgments. We know that the Holy Spirit is our advocate, our defense attorney, and our prosecuting attorney. If we take going before the courts of heaven seriously, we have our advocate, and the one who will overturn the judgments against us.
Proverbs 8:21 G2443 that G3307 I shall portion G3588 [2to the ones G1473 3loving me G25 G5223 1substance]; G2532 and G3588 G2344 their treasuries G1473 G1705 I shall fill up G18 of good things . G1437 If G312 I should announce G1473 to you G3588 the things G2596 [2each G2250 3day G1096 1happening], G3421 I will remember also G3588 [2the things G1537 3of G165 4 the eon G705 1to count].
Sophia will distribute possessions to those who love her and they will have a storehouse for precious things, and Sophia will fill it up with good. If Sophia reports the things that come into downward existence today, she will remember to count from out of the ages. There are treasuries to be filled for us, but Sophia will remind us of what things happened in the past that we have going into our storehouses. There are good things that happen daily and we should talk about those blessings. It is an encouragement to be reminded of treasures in heaven. These are treasures for loving Sophia. It is not the same as rewards or misthos for the service of building the kingdom.
Jesus tells us that if we love him, we are to guard his ordinances. Jesus said that he would ask that the Father send the paraklētos.
John 14:15 G1437 If G25 you should love G1473 me, G3588 G1785 [3commandments G3588 G1699 2my G5083 1give heed to]!
16 G2532 And G1473 I G2065 will ask G3588 the G3962 father, G2532 and G243 [3another G3875 4comforter G1325 1he shall give G1473 2to you], G2443 that G3306 he should abide G3326 with G1473 you G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon.
3875 LSJ Gloss:παράκλητος called to one's aid
Dodson:παράκλητος an advocate, comforter, helper, Paraclete
(a) an advocate, intercessor, (b) a consoler, comforter, helper, (c) Paraclete.
TBESG:παράκλητος counsellor
G:N-M
παρά-κλητος, -ον
(< παρακαλεω), [in Aq., Th.: Job.16:2 * ;]
called to one's aid in a judicial cause (Dion. Cass.); hence, most freq. as subst., ὁ π., an advocate, pleader, intercessor (Dem., al.; so in Rabbinic lit., פְּרַקְלִיטָא), "a friend of the accused person, called to speak to his character, or otherwise enlist sympathy in his favour" (Field, Notes, 102). In NT, specif., ὁ π.,
__(a) of Christ, 1Jn.2:1 (see ICC, Jo. Epp., 23 ff.);
__(b) of the Holy Spirit (AV, comforter; but see opp. with),
Refs Jhn.14:16, 26 15:26 16:7
(cf. also Abbott, Essays, 86, 97; Deiss., LAE, 339 f.; MM, xviii; Westc., Jo., ii, 188 (AS)
Thayer:
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
παράκλητος
paraklētos par-ak'-lay-tos An intercessor, consoler KJV Usage: advocate, comforter.
As we see, the Paraklētos is an intercessor and a counselor, the one who comes when called on for aid. Remember what Solomon said:
Wis 1:5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
Wis 1:6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
Wis 1:7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
Wis 7:22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,
We understand that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom, will not dwell with evil people, but will dwell with holy people. However, after Jesus died and his blood was the cleansing for our sins, the Holy Spirit, the Paraklētos, can now dwell within us.
John 14:17 G3588 The G4151 spirit G3588 G225 of truth; G3739 whom G3588 the G2889 world G3756 is not G1410 able G2983 to receive, G3754 for G3756 it does not G2334 contemplate G1473 it, G3761 nor G1097 knows G1473 it. G1473 But you G1161 G1097 know G1473 it, G3754 for G3844 [2with G1473 3you G3306 1it abides], G2532 and G1722 in G1473 you G1510.8.3 it will be.
Proverbs 8:7 Sophia tells us that truth revolves in her throat. Jesus says the world can’t receive the spirit of truth, they do not ginōsko, know her. But we ginōsko, know her. Why? Because she abides in us, she stays at home in us. Remember, Sophia proclaims that intellect should obey her. If she abides in us, she speaks to us face to face. This all has to do with love, our love for Jesus and our love for Sophia. Proverbs 8:9 told us that Sophia meets face to face with those who seek her knowledge. Proverbs 8:12 tells us that it is our actions desiring knowledge and truth, that bring Sophia into our lives.
Paul then tells us that we are the temple of God. We don’t need an outside temple. We have the abiding of Sophia in us.
1 Corinthians 3:16 G3756 Do you not G1492 know G3754 that G3485 [2a temple G2316 3of God G1510.2.5 1you are], G2532 and G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 G2316 of God G3611 lives G1722 in G1473 you?
Paul is asking a sarcastic and surprised question if the Corinthians don’t understand that they are the temple of the Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim occupies (oikeō) inside of us. Jesus said that she abides in us, now Paul says that she abides in us. Sophia inhabits and dwells within us if we want her to. There is a remarkable reason for her residing in us. It is so that we have access to the Father. Jesus made known the Father, but we never had access to the Father without the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 2:18 G3754 that G1223 through G1473 him G2192 we [2have G3588 G4318 3access G3588 G297 1both] G1722 by G1520 one G4151 spirit G4314 to G3588 the G3962 father.
Now we have access to the Father. We never had access to the father before Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Access means “admission or being able to approach”. This tells us that religions that believe they have access to the Father without Jesus and the Spirit, are incorrect. No one has access to the father unless they are cleansed by Jesus’ blood and Sophia resides within. Think about the religions who reject Jesus, but seem to think that they have access to the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 G686 So G3767 then, G3765 no longer G1510.2.5 are you G3581 strangers G2532 and G3941 sojourners, G235 but G4847 fellow-citizens G3588 of the G39 holy ones, G2532 and G3609 members of the family G3588 G2316 of God;
Paul says that we are not aliens or foreigners, instead we are fellow citizens or natives of the same town. We changed our address from wandering aliens to people consecrated to God in communion with the Father as saints and relatives. We are of one household, oikeios.
Ephesians 2:20 G2026 being built G1909 upon G3588 the G2310 foundation G3588 of the G652 apostles G2532 and G4396 prophets, G1510.6 [4being G204 5 the one cornering G1473 3himself G* 1Jesus G5547 2Christ],
How is our household built? On the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. The people that Paul was teaching were not Jews, they were people from Ephesus. They didn’t know about the temple in Jerusalem, or Solomon’s writings about Sophia. They were new to this religious idea of being a habitation for the Holy Spirit which granted them access to the Father.
Ephesians 2:21 G1722 in G3739 whom G3956 every G3619 construction G4883 fits together G837 to grow G1519 into G3485 [2temple G39 1a holy] G1722 in G2962 the Lord;
This house has a plan, it is not haphazard. It is perfectly constructed. This building is framed together so that it grows. It is the only building I know of that grows. It enlarges into a holy temple in the Lord. In other words, as people are added it grows, and as we grow deeper in Sophia it grows with us. We never outgrow this temple. It is not like a church that has to build a bigger building to hold worship services, this temple is alive and increases its size so that no one is left out. The temple is in the Lord. Not without the Lord, it is inside the Lord.
Ephesians 2:22 G1722 in G3739 whom G2532 also G1473 you G4925 are being built up together G1519 for G2732 a home G3588 G2316 of God G1722 in G4151 spirit.
Paul explains that we are constructed for a dwelling place, katoikētērion, of Elohim in Spirit. Katoikētērion comes from kata, downward, and oikeō, reside. We are being constructed into a downward residence for the Elohim through the Holy Spirit. Remember, Proverbs 8:12 told us Sophia downward camps in those who search for her.
Paul prays for us and he prays that the Father would give us the Spirit of Wisdom.
Ephesians 1:16 G3756 cease not G3973 G2168 giving thanks G5228 for G1473 you, G3417 [2mention G1473 3of you G4160 1making] G1909 in G3588 G4335 my prayers, G1473
17 G2443 that G3588 the G2316 God G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3588 the G3962 father G3588 G1391 of glory, G1325 should give G1473 [3to you G4151 1spirit G4678 2of wisdom] G2532 and G602 revelation G1722 in G1922 full knowledge G1473 of him,
Paul prays that the Elohim of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, should give us the Spirit of Wisdom. Paul’s prayer is for us to receive the Pneuma of Sophia. Pneuma means “current of air, or breath, or spirit”. Solomon told us this:
Wis 7:24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.
Paul understood the Spirit of Wisdom as a subtle breath. She doesn’t hammer us over the head, she moves gently by. Paul also prayed that we should receive apokalupsis, a disclosure in the epignōsis, full discernment of the Father. We can gain that disclosure of full discernment of the Father through the Spirit of Sophia. If we ask, she meets us face to face.
Wis 6:12 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.
