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When Knowledge Is an Easy Thing

Proverbs 14:6 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

We as humans possess understanding, but it is relative to each person and whether their heart is receptive, or they want to understand the things of life. Because we have the capacity to understand, we are able to take new information and incorporate it into what we already know. Thus, generally speaking, “knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.” Knowledge and understanding are connected, and so both are to be sought after.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none: The Hebrew verb (לֵץ; lets) is rendered scoffer here and has the sense of one who jeers, mocks, and treats other people with contempt, or has disdain for others. The scoffer seeks (בָּקַשׁ baqash), that is, diligently reaching out for or trying to obtain wisdom (חָכְמָה chokmah), which is taking in knowledge so as to understand and thus have life skills, but he finds none (אַיִן ayin).

but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding: Knowledge (דַּעַת daath) is the possession of information learned by personal experience, observation, or study. It includes wisdom, understanding, insight, and the ability to live successfully apply what has been taken into one’s heart and mind. The Bible strongly urges us to seek and treasure accurate knowledge, as it is far superior to gold. (Prov. 8:10; 20:15) Understanding (בִּין bin) is the ability of an intelligent, discerning person to see how the parts or aspects of something are connected to one another. One who possesses understanding can see the big picture (the entire matter) and not just the isolated facts. (Prov. 2:5; 9:10; 18:15) He hears information and grasps its meaning, and is able to apprehend it. This is not easy (קָלַל qalal); that is, knowledge is not quickly or effortlessly grasped by the scoffer because he has contempt and disdain for many peoples and things because he thinks he knows everything. Thus, there is no wisdom for such a person.

Do all people possess wisdom? Yes, one would be hard-pressed to say that any person is void of any wisdom. A scoffer, though, may attempt to seek wisdom, but he is searching in vain. The scoffer above fails in his quest for wisdom because he is arrogant: mocking, sneering, deriding, ridiculing anything and everything because he thinks he has all the answers already, so he fails to listen or take in information to grasp it. His pride and arrogance stop him from taking in knowledge about God and obtaining wisdom. (Prov. 11:2) One might ask why he is even interested in seeking wisdom, to begin with, but the Scriptures are silent on the why. His ignorance might have caused him much difficulty in life, so he does desire some life skills to improve his situation or standing. Or he may realize that others are aware of his lack of wisdom, and he wishes to change their perception of him.

“Knowledge is easy” to a person who possesses understanding. That is because he is open and willing and aware of his need to grasp, comprehend, and apprehend.” He is able to connect different aspects of something and see the bigger picture, not just the individual pieces of information. Considering this, apply it to your personal experience as you begin to take in knowledge about God in the beginning. You began by learning some basic Bible doctrines. Initially, these were individual, basic Bible truths. However, as you began to grow in knowledge; then began to dig into the deeper things of God’s Word, you began to see how those separate Bible details fit into the big plan of God’s will and purposes for humans and the earth. In time, the Bible doctrines grew; they became logical, rational, reasonable, and connected. Over time, learning new details and remembering them became easier because you could place them in God’s grand plan for humanity.