27. 3. If a person gains much knowledge and wisdom, and does not refrain from evils as being sins, he is still not wise. The reason for this is the same as that before, that he has gained his wisdom on his own and not from the Lord. So for example, if he knows the doctrine of his church and all its particulars in fine detail; if he knows how to use the Word and reasoned arguments to defend them; if he knows the doctrines of all the churches from centuries ago, and together with them the edicts of all the councils; indeed, if he knows truths and moreover sees and understands them; for instance, if he knows the meaning of faith, charity, piety, repentance and the forgiveness of sins, of regeneration, baptism and Holy Supper, of the Lord, and of redemption and salvation; still he is not wise if he does not refrain from evils as being sins. For they are lifeless concepts, because they are matters only of his intellect and not at the same time of his will; and their nature being such, they perish in time, for the reason discussed in no. 15 above. After death the person himself also dismisses them, because they are not in harmony with his will’s love.

Still, the concepts are most necessary because they teach a person how to live, and when he lives them, then they become alive in him, and not before.