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102-801: Christian theology received the Old Testament personification of Wisdom (Hebrew Chokmah ) as well as the concept of Wisdom ( Sophia ) from Greek philosophy , especially Platonism . In Christology , Christ the Logos as God the Son was identified with Divine Wisdom from earliest times. There has also been a minority position which identified Wisdom with the Holy Spirit instead. Furthermore, in mystical interpretations forwarded in Russian Orthodoxy , known as Sophiology , Holy Wisdom as

204-630: A complex theological allegory; this type becomes highly divergent from the 18th century onward reflecting the development of " sophiological " mysticism in Russia. The Christological identification of Christ the Logos with Divine Wisdom ( Hagia Sophia ) is strongly represented in the iconographic tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church . A type of icon of the Theotokos is "Wisdom hath builded Her house" ( Премудрость созда Себе дом ),

306-430: A common way of indicating doubt of authenticity – they argue, a strong argument that Paul wrote the passage and intended it in its traditional place. The passage has also been taken to contradict 11:5, where women are described as praying and prophesying in church. Furthermore, some scholars believe that the passage 1 Corinthians 10:1–22 constitutes a separate letter fragment or scribal interpolation because it equates

408-674: A feminine principle came to be identified with the Theotokos (Mother of God) rather than with Christ himself. Similar interpretations were proposed in feminist theology as part of the " God and Gender " debate in the 1990s. In the Septuagint , the Greek noun sophia is the translation of Hebrew חכמות ḥoḵma "wisdom". Wisdom is a central topic in the "sapiential" books, i.e. Proverbs , Psalms , Song of Songs , Ecclesiastes , Book of Wisdom , Wisdom of Sirach , and to some extent Baruch (the last three are Deuterocanonical books of

510-460: A letter from the Corinthians, "those of Chloe", and finally Stephanas and his two friends who had visited Paul. Paul then wrote this letter to the Corinthians, urging uniformity of belief ("that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you", 1:10) and expounding Christian doctrine. Titus and a brother whose name is not given were probably the bearers of the letter to

612-499: A notable condemnation of homosexuality , idolatry, thievery, drunkenness, slandering, swindling, adultery, and other acts the authors consider sexually immoral. The majority of early manuscripts end chapter 6 with the words δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν Θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν , doxasate de ton theon en tō sōmati humōn , 'therefore glorify God in your body'. The Textus Receptus adds καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστι τοῦ Θεοῦ , kai en to pneumati humōn, hatina esti tou theou , which

714-598: A number of Christian mystics and religious leaders, including George Rapp and the Harmony Society . Chokmah Chokmah ( Hebrew : חָכְמָה , romanized :  ḥoḵmā , also transliterated as chokma , chokhmah or hokhma ) is the Biblical Hebrew word rendered as " wisdom " in English Bible versions ( LXX σοφία sophia , Vulgate sapientia ). It is the second of

816-594: A pattern for Eastern Christians by dedicating a church to Christ as the personification of Divine Wisdom. In Constantinople , under Emperor Justinian , Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom") was rebuilt, consecrated in 538, and became a model for many other Byzantine churches. In the Latin Church , however, " the Word " or Logos came through more clearly than "the Wisdom" of God as a central, high title of Christ . In

918-522: A quote from Proverbs 9:1 ("Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars") interpreted as prefiguring the incarnation, with the Theotokos being the "house" chosen by the " hypostatic Wisdom" (i.e. "Wisdom" as a person of the Trinity ). In Russian Orthodox mysticism, Sophia became increasingly indistinguishable from the person of the Theotokos (rather than Christ), to the point of

1020-490: A second visit to check some rising disorder, and wrote them a letter, now lost. The church had also been visited by Apollos, perhaps by Peter, and by some Jewish Christians who brought with them letters of commendation from Jerusalem . Paul wrote 1 Corinthians letter to correct what he saw as erroneous views in the Corinthian church. Several sources informed Paul of conflicts within the church at Corinth: Apollos ,

1122-475: A significant place within Hermetic Qabalah , associated with analytical thinking and stability. Its corresponding divine name, Yah , the archangel Raziel , and the angels Ophanim , as well as its Tarot associations, underscore its importance in mystical and spiritual traditions. The paths connecting Chokmah to Keter, Binah, Chesed , and Tiferet , symbolized by corresponding Tarot cards, illustrate

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1224-745: Is a conventional topos of iconography . In the "Novgorod type", named for the icon of Holy Wisdom in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod (16th century), but represented by the older icon in the Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow , dated to the early 15th century, Holy Wisdom is shown as a fiery angel with wings, seated on a throne and flanked by the Theotokos and by Saint Cosmas of Maiuma . A second type, known as "Wisdom hath builded her Home" ( Премудрость созда Себе дом shows

1326-599: Is a famous passage describing Divine Wisdom, including the passage: 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. For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. 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. Solomon , as

1428-425: Is a later interpolation . According to Price, the text is not an early Christian creed written within five years of Jesus' death, nor did Paul write these verses. In his assessment, this was an Interpolation possibly dating to the beginning of the 2nd century. Price states that "The pair of words in verse 3a, "received / delivered" (paralambanein / paradidonai) is, as has often been pointed out, technical language for

1530-490: Is ambiguous, possibly referring to a mirror or a lens . Influenced by Strong's Concordance , many modern translations conclude that this word refers specifically to a mirror. Example English language translations include: Paul's usage is in keeping with rabbinic use of the term אספקלריה , aspaklaria , a borrowing from the Latin specularia . This has the same ambiguous meaning, although Adam Clarke concluded that it

1632-582: Is ancient, and was explicitly stated by the early Church Fathers , including Justin Martyr and Origen . The clearest form of the identification of Divine Wisdom with Christ comes in 1 Corinthians 1:17–2:13. There is a minor position among the Church Fathers which held that Wisdom is identical not to Christ but to the Holy Spirit . This was advanced by Theophilus of Antioch (d. 180) and by Irenaeus of Lyons (d. 202/3). Emperor Constantine set

1734-567: Is associated with strife and contention. The other is the 'wisdom that comes from above': "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ( James 3:17 ) Revelation 5:10 lists wisdom as a property of the Lamb : "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." The identification of Christ with God's Wisdom

1836-520: Is associated with the color grey, the four Twos of the Tarot , Shiva , Odin , Athena , God the Father , Amaranth , Star Ruby , Hashish , Yang and Khien , and Insanity . He lists its associated opposing qliphah as Ghagiel. The paths connecting Chokmah to other sefirot are significant. The path to Keter is associated with The Fool , symbolizing the initial spark of creation. The path to Binah

1938-484: Is called eyes, and the right eye Is the upper chochmah and the left eye is the lower chochmah. The word Chokmah is read in the Zohar (Numbers 220b) as koach mah , "the power of selflessness", or, alternatively, as cheich mah , "the palate of selflessness". "The power of selflessness" implies not only the attribute of selflessness itself, but the great creative power that selflessness entails. "The palate of selflessness"

2040-725: Is crucial for understanding how abstract wisdom becomes concrete understanding. The ethical behavior associated with Chokmah involves emulating its dual nature: communion with the Creator to gain wisdom and teaching others the wisdom received. This reflects the sefirah's dual role of receiving and disseminating divine insight. Practical applications of Chokmah in Kabbalistic practice include meditative techniques to cultivate wisdom, selflessness, and alignment with divine will, illustrating its central role in theoretical and applied Kabbalistic disciplines. In Western esotericism , Chokmah holds

2142-613: Is dedicated to the martyr Sophia of Sicily . Sophienkirche in Dresden was dedicated to Saint Sophia in honour of Sophie of Brandenburg who restored it in 1610. There is a hagiographical tradition, dating to the late 6th century, of a Saint Sophia and her three daughters, Saints Faith, Hope and Charity . This has been taken as the veneration of allegorical figures from an early time, and the group of saints has become popular in Russian Orthodox iconography as such (the names of

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2244-727: Is frequently identified with Sophia (Σοφία in Greek), who embodies divine wisdom. Sophia's narrative is central to many Gnostic texts, where she is also known by the name Achamōth , a Greek derivation from the Hebrew word Chokmah . The word occurs 149 times in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible . It is cognate with the Arabic word for "wisdom", ḥikma حكمة ( Semitic root ḥ-k-m ). Adjectival ḥakham "wise"

2346-460: Is lawful for me,' but I will not let myself be dominated by anything...whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Based on interpretations of the text, it appears that Corinthians did not believe that the soul would return to its physical prison after death. Paul is critical of the Corinthian denial of the resurrection of the dead in 15:12 asking: "Now if Christ is preached as raised from

2448-443: Is linked to The Empress , representing the nurturing of wisdom into understanding. The path to Chesed corresponds to The Hierophant , symbolizing the transmission of divine wisdom through teaching. Lastly, the path to Tiferet is represented by The Emperor , reflecting the integration of wisdom into balanced authority. 1 Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians ( Ancient Greek : Α΄ ᾽Επιστολὴ πρὸς Κορινθίους )

2550-654: Is no 'beginning' but wisdom." In Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan 's commentary on the Bahir he says "Wisdom (Chokmah) is therefore the first thing that the mind can grasp, and is therefore called a 'beginning'." In the Zohar , Chokmah is the primordial point which shines forth from the will of God, the starting point of Creation. This point is infinitely small, and yet encompasses the whole of being; it remains incomprehensible until all things are differentiated and given shape and form in Binah , where they become intelligible. In general,

2652-467: Is one of many definitional sources for the original Greek word ἀγάπη , agape . In the original Greek , the word ἀγάπη , agape is used throughout chapter 13. This is translated into English as " charity " in the King James version ; but the word "love" is preferred by most other translations , both earlier and more recent. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 contains a condemnation of what

2754-795: Is one of the Pauline epistles , part of the New Testament of the Christian Bible . The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle and a co-author, Sosthenes , and is addressed to the Christian church in Corinth . Despite the name, it is not believed to be the first such letter. Scholars believe that Sosthenes was the amanuensis who wrote down the text of the letter at Paul's direction. It addresses various issues that had arisen in

2856-471: Is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Verses 34–35 are included in all extant manuscripts. Part of the reason for suspecting that this passage is an interpolation is that in several manuscripts in the Western tradition, it is placed at the end of chapter 14 instead of at its canonical location. This kind of variability is generally considered by textual critics to be a sign that a note, initially placed in

2958-477: Is the soul's ability to "taste" Divinity by virtue of one's state of selflessness, as is said (Psalms 34:8): "Taste and see that God is good." Chokmah is associated with several colors in Kabbalistic tradition. Grey is often linked to Chokmah as it represents the blending of all colors, symbolizing comprehensive wisdom. Some traditions, especially those influenced by Western esotericism, associate Chokmah with blue, which signifies clarity and expansiveness, reflecting

3060-507: Is to "admonish" them as beloved children. They are expected to become imitators of Jesus and follow the ways in Christ as he, Paul, teaches in all his churches. This epistle contains some well-known phrases, including: "all things to all men", "through a glass, darkly", and: When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:12 contains

3162-490: Is used as a honorific, as in Talmid Chakham (lit. "student of a sage") for a Torah scholar , or Hakham Bashi for a Chief Rabbi . Chokmah is sometimes referred to as "Fear" (יִרְאָה, Yirah) in Kabbalistic texts because it represents an aspect of wisdom that is beyond measure and comprehension, "because it has no measure of boundary, and therefore the mind does not have the power to grasp it". This aligns with

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3264-496: The Zohar . In early Kabbalah, Chokmah represents the initial divine wisdom emanating from Keter, playing a pivotal role in the unfolding of the universe. The Zohar elaborates on this by describing Chokmah as the source of all wisdom and insight, crucial for the creative process. In the 16th century, Isaac Luria , a key figure in Kabbalistic thought, emphasized Chokmah's importance in the cosmic process of tzimtzum (divine contraction) and tikkun (repair). Chokmah initiates

3366-621: The Conservative Mennonite Churches and the Dunkard Brethren Church ), who count veiling as being one of the ordinances of the Church. The early Church Father John Chrysostom explicates that 1 Corinthians 11 enjoins the continual wearing the headcovering by referencing Paul the Apostle's view that being shaven is always dishonourable and his pointing to the angels: Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians

3468-508: The New King James Version translates as "and in your spirit, which are (i.e. body and spirit) God's". The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that "these words are not found in many of the best MSS. and versions, and they somewhat weaken the force of the argument, which is intended to assert the dignity of the body. They were perhaps inserted by some who, missing the point of the Apostle's argument, thought that

3570-466: The Old Testament ). The expression Ἁγία Σοφία itself is not found in the New Testament , even though passages in the Pauline epistles equate Christ with the "wisdom of God" ( θεοῦ σοφία ). Wisdom ( Sophia ) is mentioned in the gospels of Luke and Matthew a number of times in reference to Jesus. His wisdom is recognized by the people of Nazareth , his hometown, when he was teaching in

3672-591: The Philadelphian Society , wrote copious descriptions of her visions and dialogues with the "Virgin Sophia" who, she said, revealed to her the spiritual workings of the Universe. Leade was hugely influenced by the theosophical writings of 16th century German Christian mystic Jakob Böhme , who also speaks of the Sophia in works such as The Way to Christ (1624). Jakob Böhme was very influential to

3774-476: The Third Epistle to the Corinthians is generally not believed by scholars to have been written by Paul, as the text claims. The original manuscript of this book is lost, and the text of surviving manuscripts varies . The oldest manuscripts containing some or all of the text of this book include: The epistle may be divided into seven parts: Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed

3876-592: The deacon or priest at certain moments, especially before the reading of scripture, to draw the congregation's attention to sacred teaching. There are numerous churches dedicated to Holy Wisdom throughout the Eastern Orthodox world. Their archetype is the main basilica of Constantinople (now a mosque), built in the 6th century, in English simply known as the Hagia Sophia . The extant building of

3978-403: The "Riddling List of Ecclesiasticus", use a series of trees to describe Wisdom: These metaphors emphasize Wisdom's beauty, strength, and presence in various forms, signifying her integral role in the natural world and divine connection. Each image in the list represents different attributes of Wisdom: the cedar and cypress for strength and majesty, the palm tree and rosebush for beauty and grace,

4080-633: The 7th century. The dedication of the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople under Justin II served as a template for the dedication of other Byzantine churches as well as early medieval churches in Italy prior to the Great Schism . Saint Sofia Church, Sofia is claimed as near-contemporary to the basilica in Constantinople. Hagia Sophia, Thessaloniki was built in the 8th century. Santa Sofia, Benevento

4182-636: The 9th century. Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod , Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk date to the 11th century. Saint Sophia Cathedral in Vologda was built in the 16th century. Saint Sophia Church, Moscow was built in the 17th century on the template of Novgorod cathedral. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin , China, was built in 1907 under the Russian Empire after

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4284-507: The Christian community at Corinth and is composed in a form of Koine Greek . There is a consensus among historians and theologians that Paul is the author of the First Epistle to the Corinthians ( c.  AD 53–54 ). The letter is quoted or mentioned by the earliest of sources and is included in every ancient canon, including that of Marcion of Sinope . Some scholars point to the epistle's potentially embarrassing references to

4386-554: The Corinthian correspondence, scholars suggest that the letter was written during Paul's stay in Ephesus, which is usually dated as being in the range of AD 53–57. Anthony C. Thiselton suggests that it is possible that 1 Corinthians was written during Paul's first (brief) stay in Ephesus, at the end of his second journey, usually dated to early AD 54. However, it is more likely that it was written during his extended stay in Ephesus, where he refers to sending Timothy to them. Despite

4488-588: The Greek word is ambiguous and the women in 1 Corinthians 9:5 were women ministering to the Apostles as women ministered to Christ, and were not wives, and assert they left their "offices of marriage" to follow Christ. Paul also argues that married people must please their spouses, just as every Christian must please God . Throughout the letter, Paul presents issues that are troubling the community in Corinth and offers ways to fix them. Paul states that this letter

4590-544: The Hagia Sophia dates to the 6th century. It is not entirely clear when the first church at the site had been dedicated to Hagia Sophia . The first church on the site, consecrated in 360 (during the reign of Constantius II ), was simply known as the Μεγάλη Ἐκκλησία ( Megálē Ekklēsíā , "Great Church", or in Latin Magna Ecclesia ) A tradition which ascribes the church to Constantine the Great does not predate

4692-590: The Tree of Life is viewed as if the practitioner is looking outward from within the diagram. This perspective places Chokmah on the practitioner's left, corresponding to the left hemisphere of the brain, often associated with analytical thinking. Chokmah is also considered the root of Jachin , one of the two pillars symbolizing stability and establishment. According to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn ,

4794-450: The aphorism "evil company corrupts good habits", from classical Greek literature. According to the church historian Socrates of Constantinople it is taken from a Greek tragedy of Euripides , but modern scholarship, following Jerome attributes it to the comedy Thaĩs by Menander , or Menander quoting Euripides. Hans Conzelmann remarks that the quotation was widely known. Whatever the proximate source, this quote does appear in one of

4896-655: The apostles taught, their disciples approve." From the period of the early Church to the late modern period , 1 Corinthians 11 was universally understood to enjoin the wearing of the headcovering throughout the day—a practice that has since waned in Western Europe but has continued in certain parts of the world, such as in the Middle East , Eastern Europe , Northern Africa and the Indian subcontinent , as well as everywhere by Conservative Anabaptists (such as

4998-465: The apostolic era to the next generations of Christians; writing 150 years after Paul, the early Christian apologist Tertullian stated that the women of the church in Corinth—both virgins and married—practiced veiling, given that Paul the Apostle delivered the teaching to them: "the Corinthians themselves understood him in this manner. In fact, at this very day, the Corinthians do veil their virgins. What

5100-427: The archetypal wise person, fell in love with Wisdom: "I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty." ( Wisdom 8:2 ). The Book of Sirach , also known as Ecclesiasticus , contains significant references to Chokmah. In chapter 24, Wisdom speaks about her origins, role in creation, and dwelling among the people of Israel. Verses 13-17, often referred to as

5202-524: The attributed title "1 Corinthians", this letter was not the first written by Paul to the church in Corinth, only the first canonical letter. 1 Corinthians is the second known letter of four from Paul to the church in Corinth, as evidenced by Paul's mention of his previous letter in 1 Corinthians 5:9. The other two being what is called the Second Epistle to the Corinthians and a "tearful, severe" letter mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:3–4. The book called

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5304-467: The authors consider inappropriate behavior at Corinthian gatherings that appeared to be agape feasts . After discussing his views on worshipping idols , Paul ends the letter with his views on resurrection and the Resurrection of Jesus . The text of First Corinthians has been interpreted as evidence of existing dualistic beliefs among the Corinthians. Scholars point to 1 Cor 6:12: 'Everything

5406-469: The church at Corinth. In general, divisions within the church at Corinth seem to be a problem, and Paul makes it a point to mention these conflicts in the beginning. Specifically, pagan roots still hold sway within their community. Paul wants to bring them back to what he sees as correct doctrine, stating that God has given him the opportunity to be a "skilled master builder" to lay the foundation and let others build upon it. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 contains

5508-606: The churches of Galatia   [...] Let all your things be done with charity. Greet one another with a holy kiss   [...] I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ , let him be Anathema Maranatha . The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Some time before 2 Corinthians was written, Paul paid the church at Corinth

5610-526: The completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway . Churches dedicated to Holy Wisdom are to be distinguished from churches dedicated to the martyr Sophia of Rome (or one of the other early saints with this name, partly conflated with one another in hagiographical tradition). Such churches are much rarer and generally younger. An example is Chiesa di Santa Sofia, Capri , dedicated to Saints Sophia and Anthony (16th century). The church of Sortino

5712-625: The consumption of meat sacrificed to idols with idolatry, while Paul seems to be more lenient on this issue in 8:1–13 and 10:23–11:1. Such views are rejected by other scholars who give arguments for the unity of 8:1–11:1. About the year AD 50, towards the end of his second missionary journey, Paul founded the church in Corinth before moving on to Ephesus , a city on the west coast of today's Turkey, about 290 kilometres (180 mi) by sea from Corinth . From there he traveled to Caesarea and Antioch . Paul returned to Ephesus on his third missionary journey and spent approximately three years there. It

5814-495: The cosmos. Chokmah, the second of the ten sefirot , is the first power of conscious intellect within Creation, and the first point of subtle manifestation, since Keter represents emptiness. According to the book of Job , "Wisdom comes from nothingness". According to the Bahir : The second (utterance) is wisdom , as is written: 'Y-H-W-H acquired me at the beginning of His way, before His deeds of old' (Prov 8:22). And there

5916-643: The daughters rendered as Вѣра, Надежда, Любовь ). Saxer (2000) notes that early Christians from the 4th century indeed often took in baptism mystical names indicative of Christian virtues, and Sophia, Sapientia, Fides are attested as names of Christian women in Catacomb inscriptions. The veneration of the three saints named for the three theological virtues probably arose in the 6th century based on such inscriptions. In Russian Orthodox tradition, Holy Wisdom (Russian: Святая София Премудрость Божия Svatya Sofiya Premudrost' Bozhya "Holy Sophia, Divine Wisdom")

6018-426: The dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead ?" Richard Horsley has argued that use of contrasting terms like corruption/incorruption in a polemic about resurrection supports a theory that Paul is using the "language of the Corinthians" in these verses. Multiple academic theories have been proposed for the source of this language including Greek philosophical influence , Gnosticism and

6120-457: The existence of sexual immorality in the church as strengthening the case for the authenticity of the letter. However, the epistle does contain a passage that is widely believed to have been interpolated into the text by a later scribe: Women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is something they want to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it

6222-508: The flow of Paul's argument; it follows language from the First Epistle to Timothy , which was probably not written by Paul ; it contradicts Paul's neutral or positive mention of women prophesying, praying, and taking other speaking and leadership roles in the church; the passage is alternatively found at different locations in some manuscripts, which may indicate it was originally inserted as a marginal note and then unstably inserted into

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6324-505: The flow of divine wisdom through different aspects of the Tree of Life , integrating it into various levels of consciousness and action. Chokmah (חָכְמָה), the Hebrew term for " wisdom ", holds a prominent place in both Jewish mysticism and Gnostic traditions . Its etymology traces back to the Hebrew root ח-כ-מ, which conveys the concept of wisdom or insight. In Gnostic cosmology , Chokmah

6426-512: The fragments of Euripides' works. 1 Corinthians 15:29 argues it would be pointless to baptise the dead if people are not raised from the dead. This verse suggests that there existed a practice at Corinth whereby a living person would be baptized in the stead of some convert who had recently died. Teignmouth Shore, writing in Ellicott 's Commentary for Modern Readers , notes that among the "numerous and ingenious conjectures" about this passage,

6528-584: The handing on of rabbinical tradition", so it would contradict Paul's account of his conversion given in Galatians 1:13–24, which explicitly says that Paul had been taught the gospel of Christ by Jesus himself, not by any other man. Chapter 15 closes with an account of the nature of the resurrection, claiming that in the Last Judgement the dead will be raised and both the living and the dead transformed into "spiritual bodies" (verse 44). 1 Corinthians 15:27 refers to Psalm 8 :6. Ephesians 1 :22 also refers to this verse of Psalm 8. 1 Corinthians 15:33 contains

6630-410: The idea expressed in the Book of Job that the "fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding ." This term emphasizes the awe and reverence associated with divine wisdom, reflecting the necessary humility and respect required to truly grasp and embody it. Chokmah, meaning "Wisdom," holds a foundational role in Jewish mystical texts such as the Sefer Yetzirah and

6732-415: The implication of the Theotokos as a "fourth person of the Trinity". Such interpretations became popular in the late 19th to early 20th century, forwarded by authors such as Vladimir Solovyov , Pavel Florensky , Nikolai Berdyaev , and Sergei Bulgakov . Bulgakov's theology, known as "Sophianism", presented Divine Wisdom as co-existent with the Trinity, operating as the feminine aspect of God in concert with

6834-495: The importance of deep scholarly engagement with sacred texts as a path to attaining wisdom. In practical Kabbalistic practices, Chokmah is approached through meditation and contemplation to gain wisdom and insight. Practitioners focus on developing a deep sense of selflessness, as Chokmah embodies the "power of selflessness" ( koach mah ). This involves visualizing the flow of divine wisdom and seeking to align one's thoughts and actions with higher principles. In Hermetic Qabalah ,

6936-421: The margins of the document, has been copied into the body of the text by a scribe. As E. Earle Ellis and Daniel B. Wallace note, however, a marginal note may well have been written by Paul himself. The loss of marginal arrows or other directional devices could explain why the scribe of the Western Vorlage placed it at the end of the chapter. The absence of an asterisk or obelisk in the margin of any manuscript –

7038-453: The name of God associated with Chokmah is Yah , the archangel that presides over it is Raziel , who reveals divine secrets. The order of angels that reside in it are the Ophanim ("Wheels"), which represent dynamic divine insight. The Heaven of Assiah associated with it is called Mazloth, implying the fulfillment of destiny, and the physical manifestation associated with it is the Zodiac . In Aleister Crowley 's Liber 777 , Chokmah

7140-464: The olive tree and plane tree for fruitfulness and resilience, and the aromatic plants for the pleasing and pervasive influence of Wisdom. The terebinth represents spreading influence and enduring presence. Chokmah is also discussed in the Talmud , representing a high level of wisdom. The Talmudic order of ''Kodshim'' , related to sacred things, is described in tractate Shabbat 31a as a significant area of study that imparts Chokmah . This reflects

7242-558: The only tenable interpretation is that there existed a practice of baptising a living person to substitute those who had died before that sacrament could have been administered in Corinth, as also existed among the Marcionites in the second century, or still earlier than that, among a sect called "the Corinthians". The Jerusalem Bible states that "What this practice was is unknown. Paul does not say if he approved of it or not: he uses it merely for an ad hominem argument". The Latter Day Saint movement interprets this passage to support

7344-457: The other should be to teach others the wisdom that the Holy One has endowed him. The author of the book of Proverbs personifies Divine Wisdom as extant before the world was made, revealer of God, and actor as God's agent in creation ( Prov 8:22–31 ; Wisdom 8:4–6 ; and Sir 1:4–9 ). Wisdom dwelt with God ( Prov 8:22–31 ; Sir 24:4 ; and Wisdom 9:9–10 ) and, being the exclusive property of God,

7446-503: The phrase βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι' ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι , blepomen gar arti di esoptrou en ainigmati , which was translated in the 1560 Geneva Bible as "For now we see through a glass darkly" (without a comma). This wording was used in the 1611 KJV , which added a comma before "darkly". This passage has inspired the titles of many works , with and without the comma. The Greek word ἐσόπτρου , esoptrou ( genitive ; nominative : ἔσοπτρον , esoptron ), here translated "glass",

7548-475: The primordial point of divine wisdom, which shines forth from the will of God. This point remains incomprehensible until differentiated and given form in Binah. The Zohar , an essential Kabbalistic text , emphasizes Chokmah’s role in the emanation process and its association with the sense of sight, as well as an inner spiritual sense of taste that precedes and arouses sight. The interplay between Chokmah and Binah

7650-419: The process of restoring the fragmented divine light, central to Lurianic Kabbalah's understanding of creation and redemption. Contemporary Kabbalists, such as Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag , have further developed the understanding of Chokmah. Ashlag's interpretations highlight Chokmah's role in achieving spiritual enlightenment and ethical living, viewing it as essential for understanding the divine and our place within

7752-532: The profound nature of divine wisdom. White is another color associated with Chokmah, symbolizing purity and enlightenment, indicative of the undifferentiated light of wisdom. According to Moses ben Jacob Cordovero in The Palm Tree of Devorah , Chokmah has two faces, one facing Keter above, and the other overseeing the other sefirot . Therefore, to emulate this sefira, one aspect should be in communion with his Creator in order to increase his wisdom, and

7854-525: The prophets gazed through a speculum that does not shine, while Moses our teacher gazed through a speculum that shines." The letter is also notable for its discussion of Paul's view of the role of women the church . In 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 , it is stated that women must remain silent in the churches, and yet in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 it states they have a role of prophecy and apparently speaking tongues in churches. Many scholars believe that verses 14:34–35 are an interpolation. The passage interrupts

7956-412: The right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas (Peter)?" (In the last case, the letter concurs with Matthew 8:14, which mentions Peter having a mother-in-law and thus, by inference, a wife.) However, the Greek word for 'wife' is the same word for 'woman'. The Early Church Fathers, including Tertullian , Jerome , and Augustine state

8058-526: The roots of the word power and veil are spelled the same." The last-known living connection to the apostles, Irenaeus, penned verse 10 using the word "veil" ( κάλυμμα , kalumma ) instead of "authority" ( ἐξουσία , exousia ) in Against Heresies , as did other Church Fathers in their writings, including Hippolytus , Origen , Chrysostom , Jerome , Epiphanius , Augustine , and Bede . This ordinance continued to be handed down after

8160-430: The scriptures 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Paul represents the kerygma to the Corinthians "as a sacred tradition" that Christ was "raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures". Kirk MacGregor notes

8262-467: The sense of sight relates to Chokmah. The Zohar states that there is an inner, spiritual sense of taste in Chokmah that precedes and arouses the sense of sight. Chokmah appears in the configuration of the sefirot at the top of the right axis, and corresponds to the eyes in the divine image ( tzelem Elohim ): these are comparable to the two eyes from which two teardrops Fell into the great sea. Chochmah

8364-459: The surrounding pagan Greek women prayed unveiled and Jewish men prayed with their heads covered. The King James Version of 1 Corinthians 11:10 reads "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." Other versions translate "power" as "authority". In many early biblical manuscripts (such as certain Vulgate , Coptic , and Armenian manuscripts), is rendered with

8466-417: The synagogue, "insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" ( Matthew 13:54 , cf. Mark 6:2 ) Acts names wisdom as a quality given to the apostles, alongside the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3, 6:10). St. Paul refers to wisdom, notably in 1 Corinthians , "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish

8568-585: The teachings of Solovyev and Bulgakov. Lossky presents Divine Wisdom as an energy (and not an essence) of God, just as Faith, Hope and Charity are energies of God. Thomas Merton studied the Russian Sophiologists and praised Sophia in his poem titled "Hagia Sophia" (1963). The "sophological" approach of introducing Wisdom as a female principle in the Holy Trinity is closely paralleled by certain proposals made in feminist theology in

8670-410: The teachings of Philo of Alexandria . Most scholars agree that Paul was reinforcing earlier tradition about resurrection noting that he describes the kerygma as "received". 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures 4 and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with

8772-505: The ten sefirot in Kabbalah , and represents the first power of conscious intellect and subtle manifestation, emerging from Keter 's pure potentiality. It embodies wisdom coming from nothingness, as highlighted in the Book of Job and the Bahir . Chokmah is the primordial point of divine wisdom that becomes comprehensible through Binah . In Jewish mystical texts, Chokmah is described as

8874-437: The text itself. Moreover, some manuscripts give evidence of a prior record of its absence from the text. If verse 14:34–35 is not an interpolation, certain scholars resolve the tension between these texts by positing that wives were either contesting their husband's inspired speeches at church, or the wives/women were chatting and asking questions in a disorderly manner when others were giving inspired utterances. Their silence

8976-406: The textual evidence from the kerygma as stated in 15:3-7 is cited by modern scholars as evidence "that Jesus' earliest disciples believed in a spiritual resurrection which did not necessarily vacate his tomb". Dale Moody says the tradition of the appearances of the resurrected Christ and the tradition of the empty tomb "remain separate in the oldest strata of tradition". Geza Vermes states that

9078-928: The theology of the Western Latin Church, note Hugh of Saint Victor's allusion to Jesus as Wisdom in Book One of his Didascalicon . In the Eastern Orthodox Church , Holy Wisdom is understood as the Divine Logos who became incarnate as Jesus Christ ; this belief being sometimes also expressed in some Eastern Orthodox icons. In the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the exclamation Sophia! or in English Wisdom! will be proclaimed by

9180-601: The three masculine principles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It was the topic of a highly political controversy in the early 1930s and was condemned as heretical in 1935. John Maximovitch in The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God , discusses at length why the sophianism of Sergius Bulgakov is heresy, attempting the deification of the Theotokos . Vladimir Lossky likewise rejects

9282-539: The tradition are to be dated to the first two years after the crucifixion of Jesus   [...] not later than three years". According to Gary R. Habermas , in "Corinthians 15:3–8, Paul records an ancient oral tradition(s) that summarizes the content of the Christian gospel." N.T Wright describes it as "the very early tradition that was common to all Christians." In dissent from the majority view, Robert M. Price , Hermann Detering , John V. M. Sturdy , and David Oliver Smith have each argued that 1 Corinthians 15:3–7

9384-721: The various statements, as proposed by Urich Wilckens. It is also possible that "he appeared" was not specified in the core formula, and that the specific appearances are additions. According to Hannack, line 3b-4 form the original core, while line 5 and line 7 contain competing statements from two different factions. Prive also argues that line 5 and line 7 reflect the tensions between Petrus and James. The kerygma has often been dated to no more than five years after Jesus' death by Biblical scholars. Bart Ehrman dissents, saying that "Among scholars I personally know, except for evangelicals, I don't now[ sic ] anyone who thinks this at all." Gerd Lüdemann however, maintains that "the elements in

9486-625: The west. Thus, Elizabeth Johnson (1993) proposed the "application of Sophiological terminology to the Persons of the Holy Trinity" as a way of "normalizing feminine imagery for God". The parallels between the (apparently independent) currents of Russian mysticism and Western feminist theology was pointed out by Meehan (1996). Within the Protestant tradition in England , Jane Leade , 17th-century Christian mystic , Universalist , and founder of

9588-434: The wisdom of this world?" ( 1 Corinthians 1:20 ), setting worldly wisdom against a higher wisdom of God: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." ( 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) The Epistle of James ( James 3:13–18 ; cf. James 1:5 ) distinguishes between two kinds of wisdom. One is a false wisdom, which is characterized as "earthly, sensual, devilish" and

9690-723: The word "veil" ( κάλυμμα , kalumma ) rather than the word "authority" ( ἐξουσία , exousia ); the Revised Standard Version reflects this, displaying 1 Corinthians 11:10 as follows: "That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels." Similarly, a scholarly footnote in the New American Bible notes that presence of the word " authority ( exousia ) may possibly be due to mistranslation of an Aramaic word for veil ". This mistranslation may be due to "the fact that in Aramaic

9792-530: The words of Paul are "a tradition he has inherited from his seniors in the faith concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus". The kerygma was possibly transmitted from the Jerusalem apostolic community though the core formula may have originated in Damascus. It may be one of the earliest kerygmas about Jesus' death and resurrection, though it is also possible that Paul himself joined together

9894-456: The worship of the spirit was unduly passed over." Later, Paul wrote about immorality in Corinth by discussing an immoral brother, how to resolve personal disputes, and sexual purity. Regarding marriage, Paul states that it is better for Christians to remain unmarried, but that if they lacked self-control, it is better to marry than "burn" ( πυροῦσθαι ). The epistle may include marriage as an apostolic practice in 1 Corinthians 9:5, "Do we not have

9996-400: Was a reference to specularibus lapidibus , clear polished stones used as lenses or windows. One way to preserve this ambiguity is to use the English cognate, speculum . Rabbi Judah ben Ilai (2nd century) was quoted as saying "All the prophets had a vision of God as He appeared through nine specula" while "Moses saw God through one speculum." The Babylonian Talmud states similarly "All

10098-559: Was as such inaccessible to human beings ( Job 28:12–13, 20–1, 23–27 ). It was God who "found" Wisdom ( Bar 3:29–37 ) and gave her to Israel : "He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. Afterward did he shew himself upon earth, and conversed with men." ( Bar 3:36–37 and Sir 24:1–12 ). As a female figure (Sir. 1:15 and Wis. 7:12), Wisdom addressed human beings (Prov. 1:20–33 and 8:1–9:6), inviting to her feast those who are not yet wise (Prov. 9:1-6). Wisdom of Solomon 7:22b–8:1

10200-493: Was built in the 8th century, Santa Sofia, Venice in the 9th century and Santa Sofia, Padua in the 10th century. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Nicosia may or may not date from Late Antiquity, being first recorded in the 11th century (made a mosque in 1570). Holy Wisdom became an important concept in Slavic Orthodoxy . Hagia Sophia Church, Nesebar , and possibly Church of St. Sophia, Ohrid , Bulgaria were built still in

10302-656: Was unique to the particular situation in the Corinthian gatherings at that time, and on this reading, Paul did not intend his words to be universalized for all women of all churches of all eras. Other scholars including Joseph Fitzmyer suggest that in verses 34–35, Paul may be quoting the position of some native Corinthian Christians regarding women who have been speaking out in cultic assemblies in order that he can then argue against it. 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 contains an admonishment that Christian women cover their hair while praying and that Christian men leave their heads uncovered while praying. These practices were countercultural ;

10404-432: Was while staying in Ephesus that he received disconcerting news of the community in Corinth regarding jealousies, rivalry, and immoral behavior. It also appears that, based on a letter the Corinthians sent Paul, the congregation was requesting clarification on a number of matters, such as marriage and the consumption of meat previously offered to idols. By comparing Acts of the Apostles 18:1–17 and mentions of Ephesus in

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