1 Corinthians 2
1Co 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom – ‘We must understand verses 1-5 in their historical and cultural context. Compared to the Greek orators of his day, Pauls speaking didn’t measure up (In person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing 2Co 10:10). Yet Pauls sermons demonstrated rhetorical power and a sensitive shaping of his message to fit the audience. Further, in his writing including this epistle to the Corinthians Paul frequently employed literary devices that would be very much at home in Greek letters of his day (his letters are weighty and forceful 2Co 10:10). Thus keeping Christ and the cross at the heart of ones message is not at odds with effective communication. Instead, Paul is decrying the empty sophistry of Greek teachers who loved to debate points while paying no regard to the truth. It is possible that some members of the Corinthian church were attracted to such speaking arts; Paul was not.’
This disdain that Paul had for eloquence may account for certain ‘faults’ of style that are apparent in some of his letters: his sentences sometimes lack verbs, or were left incomplete. This contrasts with, for example, the Letter to the Hebrews, in which a concern for good style is much more apparent. As with the writers of Scripture, so perhaps with the preachers of the word: some will be better stylists than others.
‘The world of Paul’s day was deeply enamored with public oratory by virtuoso rhetors known as sophists. Because Christianity placed such an emphasis on public preaching, its speakers would inevitably be judged by sophisticated audiences according to the canons of rhetoric. Therefore, as a missionary, Paul needed to determine whether classical rhetoric was essential for Christian proclamation.’ (DPL)
Paul shows his use of judicial rhetoric in Ac 24:1-21.
‘Since preaching calls for faith, it is vitally important that its issues not be obscured with eloquent wisdom and lofty words. {1Co 1:17 2:1-4} Paul refused to practise cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but sought to commend himself to every man’s conscience by the open statement of the truth. {2Co 4:2} The radical upheaval within the heart and consciousness of man which is the new birth does not come about by the persuasive influence of rhetoric but by the straightforward presentation of the gospel in all its simplicity and power.’ (NBD)
‘Paul here disapproves of mere rhetoric, but his own writing, including 1 Corinthians, displays extensive knowledge and use of rhetorical forms.’ (NT Background Commentary)
‘Even the most renowned speakers (e.g., Dio Chrysostom) regularly disavowed their own speaking abilities in order to lower audience expectations; then they spoke brilliantly. Rhetoricians recommended this technique. Because Paul in the context is boasting in his weakness, he does not praise his speaking or philosophical ability. {cf. Ex 4:10} But this reserve need not mean-and the skillfulness of his argumentation shows that it cannot mean-that his argumentation style was weak, even if his delivery (voice quality and gestures) were inadequate (which is likely-2 Cor 10:10).’ (NT Background Commentary)
As I proclaimed to you the testimony about God – ‘The preaching of the gospel is frequently regarded in the New Testament as an activity like that of a herald. Viewed in this way it is the passing on of a message given. But it is also frequently regarded as the bearing witness to given facts. Preaching the gospel is not delivering edifying discourses, beautifully put together. It is bearing witness to what God has done in Christ for man’s salvation.’ (Morris)
‘The preaching of the gospel is frequently regarded in the New Testament as an activity like that of a herald. Viewed in this way it is the passing on of a message given…But it is also frequently regarded as the bearing witness to given facts. Preaching the gospel is not delivering edifying discourses, beautifully put together. It is bearing witness to what God has done in Christ for man’s salvation.’ (Leon Morris)
1Co 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I resolved to know nothing…except Jesus Christ and him crucified – This is a powerful statement of Paul’s singlemindedness. We are not, of course, to understand him to mean that Christ crucified was all he ever talked about. We know that his aim was the declare ‘the whole counself of God’, Ac 20:27. Still less did he use this theme as some kind of magical mantra. Rather, he means that Christ crucified – neglected and scorned by the worldly-wise – was the central and dominating theme of all his preaching. And, in addition, he means that he preached this theme in a manner unadorned by the tricks and techniques of the rhetoricians and the Sophists.
Whereas it is the cross as the means of vicarious atonement which is emphasised elsewhere (e.g. Rom 3), here it is ‘the counter cultureness of the cross due to the shame, brutality, lower classness, and criminality associated with it, particularly in a Roman colony like Corinth. (College Press)
‘The historical fact of Christ’s crucifixion had probably been put less prominently forward by the seekers after human wisdom in the Corinthian church, to avoid offending learned heathens and Jews.’ (JFB)
Jared Wilson has a post in which he outlines the ways in which Christians generally, and preachers in particular, can leave Jesus out of our message. To summarise:-
1. We speak in vague spiritual generalities. We talk about love, joy, hope, peace, blessings, but divorced from Christ himself as the incarnate, crucified and risen Saviour and Lord. Our message is pleasant and up-beat; inspirational, even. But, separated from Christ, who is himself our joy, our hope, our peace and so on, it’s rubbish.
2. We speak of Christ only as a moral exemplar. We tell people to be good because Jesus was good. We deal with imperatives (‘be like Jesus’), but neglect the indicatives (‘Christ died for sins’).
3. We avoid the real problem – sin. And because of this we avoid the real solution – the cross. So, in many churches, sin and the cross are scarcely mentioned. Or, if the cross is mentioned, it is only as a demonstration of the love of God and not at all as a sacrifice for sin.
1Co 2:3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
I came to you = ‘I was with you’. Both his message (v2) and his presentation of it were likewise unimpressive. His sense of inadequacy came partly from the nature of his message, and partly from the various trials which he encountered in preaching that message. It was, especially, a sense of profound responsibility, a fear that he might not discharge his ministry aright and was, accordingly a fear of God rather than of man. See Eph 6:5 Php 2:12.
Weakness and fear, and with much trembling – It is clear from the account in Acts that Paul had experienced much discouragement just before he came to Corinth. He had made no great impression on the Corinthians as far as his appearance and bearing were concerned, 2Co 10:10.
Robertson and Plummer suggest further reasons for Paul’s nervousness: ‘Paul may have experienced shyness in venturing unaccompanied into strange surroundings, {cf. Ac 17:15,23:5} coupled with anxiety as to the tidings which Timothy and Silvanus might bring. {cf. 2Co 11:13} There was also the thought of the appalling wickedness of Corinth, of his poor success at Athens, and of the deadly hostility of the Jews to the infant Church of Thessalonica.’ {Ac 17:5,13}
‘When Paul first reached Corinth he was experiencing a great deal of discouragement. At Philippi he had a promising beginning smashed by the opposition of fanatical Jews. The same thing had happened at Thessalonica and at Beroea. In Athens he had had little success. SMall wonder that when he came to budy, proud, intellectual Corinth he came “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling”.’ (Morris)
This verse ‘seems to be Paul’s affirmation that the nature of his ministry with the Corinthians fit snugly into the pattern of God’s modus operandi, namely God’s exercise of his sovereign power in spite of the surrounding culture’s disdain and ridicule of his ways. The terms fear and trembling, unfortunately separated by the NIV translation, belong together. Based upon the meaning of these two words in Php 2:12 and Eph 6:5, Paul is pointing in 2:3 to his deeply rooted sense of responsibility and wholeheartedness, as well as the awesomeness of the task given him.’ (College Press)
1Co 2:4 my message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
This is the first mention of the Holy Spirit in this epistle.
My message (logos) has already be defined as the message of the cross, 1:18. Paul is sure that neither the content of his message nor his method of presenting it were determined by the opinions and standards of worldly wisdom.
My preaching (kerygma) probably describes Paul’s form of preaching, just as ‘my message’ described its content.
Wise and persuasive words – we know from the records of Paul’s preaching preserved in Acts, as well as from his epistles, that Paul did not disdain reason and logic. He himself was trained in the wisdom literature of Scripture, and often referred to the importance of wisdom in the Christian life, 1Co 12:8 Ro 11:33 Eph 1:8,17 3:10 Col 1:9,28 2:3 4:5. Rather, he opposes that wisdom which has cut itself off from the source of all true understanding, namely God himself.
After Paul had left Corinth, the task of leading the church had fallen to Apollos, an learned man from Alexandria. Whereas Paul’s preaching had been with studied simplicity, that of Apollos was, perhaps, much more rhetorical. {Ac 18:24,27f} There was no fundamental difference in the message preached, 1Co 3:6,8, but the difference in style and presentation was enough to cause some partisanship amongst the Corinthians.
‘He deliberately avoided the very thing that now fascinates them, “the persuasion of wisdom.” But his preaching did not thereby lack “persuasion.” What it lacked was the kind of persuasion found among the sophists and rhetoricians, where the power lay in the person and his delivery. Paul’s preaching, on the other hand, despite his personal appearance and whatever its actual form, produced the desired results, namely it brought about the faith of the Corinthians.’ (Fee)
‘Anyone familiar with the use of logic in Paul’s own letters as well as the Lukan summary of Pauline preaching in Acts realizes that all of the extant testimony indicates that Paul was not opposed to human reasoning and logical thinking. Paul’s theology and training as a Jew would have included an appreciation of the wisdom literature in Scripture, and he himself acknowledges the importance of wisdom in the individual and corporate lives of believers. {cf. 1Co 12:8 Ro 11:33 Eph 1:8,17 3:10 Col 1:9,28,2:3 4:5} Rather, Paul’s concern is with believers being persuaded by a style and type of wisdom which does not originate with God.’ (College Press)
‘What a number of elaborate sermons have been preached to no purpose! Even the truth that is in them is rendered, in a great measure, useless, by the wisdom of words with which it is clothed; while plain, colloquial addresses to the populace, by men fearing God, and speaking of divine things in fervour and charity, has been attended with the demonstration of the Spirit; and souls have been rescued from sin and Satan.’ (Joseph Milner)
Demonstration of the Spirit’s power – lit. ‘demonstration of the Spirit and power.’ ‘Pneuma’ could refer to the human spirit (as opposed to outward display), but the reference to God’s power in v5 suggests that the reference is to the Holy Spirit. The context of weakness would suggest that Paul is not referring to signs and wonders, cf Ro 15:19 2Co 12:12, since that would be contrary to the very argument he is advancing. It is more likely that he is referring to their conversion, with its associated gift of the Spirit and accompanying manifestations (Fee). As in Eph 1:17f, Paul’s thought is that it is the Spirit alone who can open the heart to receive the gospel.
Demonstration – setting forth, exhibition of proof. ‘Paul relied, therefore, for success, not on his skill in argument or persuasion, nor upon any of the resources of human wisdom, but on the testimony which the Spirit bore to the truth. The Holy Ghost demonstrated the gospel to be true.’ (Hodge)
‘”Persuasion” is man’s means of moving his fellow-man. Ministers should rather seek God’s, which is “demonstration,” inspiring implicit faith by the power of the Spirit (then exhibited outwardly by miracles, and inwardly by the working on the heart, now in the latter only, the more important way), Mt 7:29 Ac 6:10 Ro 15:19).’ (JFB)
A demonstration of the Spirit’s power – Paul’s preaching went far beyond what human logic and persuasion could achieve; it carried conviction because of the power of the Spirit.
Not persuasion but demonstration. ‘Persuasion is man’s means of moving his fellow man. God’s means is demonstration, leaving no doubt, and inspiring implicit faith, by the powerful working of the Spirit (then exhibited both outwardly by miracles, and inwardly by working on the heart, now in the latter and the more important way only, Mt 7:29 Ac 6:10 Heb 4:12; compare also Ro 15:19). The same simple power accompanies divine truth now, producing certain persuasion and conversion, when the Spirit demonstrates by it.’ (JFB)
‘It is the Divine Spirit alone who who thus reveals the truth of salvation; cf Eph 1:17-18. We have to represent this Spirit to ourselves acting at once in him who speaks and in him who hears, in such a way as to make the light pass, through the intervention of the spoken word, from the mind of the one into the mind of the other.’ (Godet)
Speaking of the need for ‘unction’ or ‘anointing’ in preaching, D.M. Lloyd-Jones said, ‘What is this? It is the Holy Spirit falling upon the preacher in a special manner. It is an access of power. It is God giving power, and enabling, through the Spirit, to the preacher in order that he may do this work in a manner that lifts it up beyond the efforts and endeavours of man to a position in which the preacher is being used by the Spirit and becomes the channel through whom the Spirit works.’ (Preaching and Preachers, 305).
‘The gospel is preached in the ears of all. It only comes with power to some. The power that is in the gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls. Nor does it lie the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach till our tongues rotted; till we should exhaust our lungs and die. But never a soul would be converted unless there be a mysterious power go with it – the Holy Ghost changing the will of man. O, sirs, we might as well preach to stone walls as preach to humanity, unless the Holy Ghost go with the Word, to give it power to convert the soul.’ (Spurgeon, Q in Stott, I Believe in Preaching, 335)
See Lu 1:15 ff; Lu 3:15 ff; Lu 4:18 ff; Ac 1:8 1Th 1:5.
1Co 2:5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
So that = ‘in order that.’ If Paul’s preaching had been with logic and persuasion, then his hearers would have been led to put their trust in these things. But it came with God’s power, so that they might trust in that.
Human wisdom may indeed attempt to persuade men of the truth of the gospel. But intellectual conviction is something very different from a living faith in God.
1Co 2:6 we do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Paul has argued up to this point that the gospel does not depend on human wisdom. It is therefore despised by the wise and influential of this world. He now proceeds to show that, nevertheless, the gospel has tremendous profundity and dignity, because it is an expression of the wisdom of God. ‘From 1:18 he has been painting in vivid colours the contrast between the wisdom of the worlds and god’s wisdom. He has exposed the emptiness of all man-made and man-centred schemes of salvation. He has effectively emptied such human wisdom of all ultimate value and of any consequent attractiveness. Thenet impact might well have been the conclusion that Paul was not interested in wisdom of any kind – none except the “foolishness” of the gospel. The single word “however” therefore introduces Paul’s riposte to any such conclusion.’ (Prior)
We - Note the switch from ‘I’ to ‘we’. It may well be that Paul is now writing as the representative of the apostles.
The mature can understand the wisdom of God in the gospel, even though the spiritual ‘babes’ (3:1) cannot. The latter are still fed on milk, whereas the former are nourished by solid food. ‘Pythagoras divided his disciples into those who were babes and those who were teleioi. That is to say it describes a person who is a mature student.’ (DSB) Paul taught that maturity is something to be striven for, rather than completely attained in this life, Php 3:8-15.
What is meant by the wisdom of this age? What are its characteristics? Why does it appear to be wise, but is not really?
By the rulers of this age - Some interpreters thinks that demons are meant here. But it is more likely that human rulers are in mind, especially in the light of v8. Paul means such as the Jewish and Roman leaders, who out of their very ignorance crucified Christ, v8. Powerful and wise they may be in their own eyes and those of the world, but they are coming to nothing
‘The contrast is between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God, not between the rudimental and the higher doctrines of the gospel…What are these higher doctrines which Paul (allegedly) preached only to the elite of the church? Some say one thing, and some another. But there are no higher doctrines than those taught in this epistle and in those to the Romans and Ephesians, all addressed to the mass of the people. The New Testament makes no difference between…higher and lower doctrines. It does indeed speak of a distinction between milk and strong meat, but that is a distinction…between one mode of instruction and another.’ (Charles Hodge)
‘Paul had in the preceding chapter, vv17-31, asserted the insufficiency of human wisdom, and in vv1-5 of this chapter, he had said he was not a teacher of human wisdom. Was it to be inferred from this that he despised knowledge, that he was an illiterate contemner of letters, or that he taught nonsense? Far from it; he taught the highest wisdom. It is plain from this whole discussion, that by the wisdom of the world, Paul means that knowledge of God and divine things which men derive from reason. It is also plain that what he says of the worthlessness of that knowledge has reference to it as a means of salvation. The objection urged against him was, that he did not teach philosophy. His answer is, philosophy cannot save men. Whatever may be its value within its own sphere and for its own ends, it is worse than useless as a substitute for the gospel. He was not for banishing philosophy from the schools, but from the pulpit.’ (Charles Hodge)
All the knowledge and wisdom of this world cannot give us real understanding. They, and their wisdom, are coming to nothing, v6. But the Holy Spirit can:-
- This was planned by God, v7
- It is utterly different from the wisdom of the world, v8
- It is wonderful beyond our comprehension, v9
- The Holy Spirit reveals the deep things of God, v10
- Without his help they remain foolishness to us, v14
- We have a new understanding and a new outlook – ‘the mind of Christ’, v16.
1Co 2:7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
The wisdom which is revealed in the gospel is: (a) not human, but divine; (b) not accidental, but planned; (c) not discovered, but revealed; (d) not shameful, but glorious.
‘In 1Co 2:7 Paul speaks of a secret, hidden wisdom that has been predestined for the believers’ glory. This wisdom is the entire plan of salvation that was unknown to the demonic forces of this world, who, if they had known about it, would have attempted to thwart it. {1Co 2:8} It was God’s eternal purpose (eternal, because God is eternal) to effect salvation through the death of Christ. It was divinely wise because the death of Christ satisfied God’s love and justice at the same time, broke the power of evil, transferred believers into God’s kingdom and ultimately saves them. It was God’s determination that this be so.’ (DPL)
‘Judaism believed that God’s Wisdom existed before the world and that God had created the world through this Wisdom.’ (NT Background Commentary)
God’s wisdom is secret – that is, unknown to man until revealed by God. The word is ‘musterion’, which means ‘something whose meaning is hidden from those who have not been initiated, but crystal clear to those who have. It would describe a ceremony carried out in some society whose meaning was quite clear to the members of the society, but unintelligible to the outsider. What Paul is saying is, “We go on to explain things which only the man who has already given his heart to Christ can understand.”‘ (DSB)
The gospel is no afterthought; it was destined…before time began. God had by his grace conceived a plan for our salvation (significantly referred to as our glory) and by his sovereign power brought that plan to fruition. See how the extremes of time are brought together: God’s decree in timeless past secures our glory in timeless future. See also the contrast between the wise of this world and those wise in God’s sight: they are doomed to destruction, but we are destined for glory. Our future exaltation is already anticipated in our inward enlightenment, 2Co 3:18.
‘While it is well known that Paul’s theological perspectives were profoundly influenced by his doctrine of the last things, his eschatology, it is noteworthy in 1Co 2:7 that his doctrine of first things is also prominent. That is, to fully appreciate Paul’s own perspective in 1 Corinthians, the interpreter needs to dwell not only on Paul’s doctrine of God’s activity at the ends of the ages (e.g., 10:11), but also God’s activity before the outset of the ages.’ (College Press)
Our glory - The great exposition of God’s eternal plan for salvation is found in Ephesians 1, where Paul repeatedly says that its ultimate aim is for God’s glory. {Eph 1:6,12,14} Here, however, he focusses on the fact that believers willl share in the glory of God. This is in dramatic contrast to the destiny of the wise and powerful of this world, who ‘are coming to nothing’, v6.
‘The word “glory” is often used for all the benefits of salvation. It includes all the excellence and blessedness which Christ has secured for his people, Ro 5:2. The idea that the scheme of redemption, which the apostle here calls the wisdom of God, was from eternity formed in the divine mind, far out of the reach of human penetration, and has under the gospel been made known for the salvation of man, is one often presented by the apostle, Ro 16:25-26 Eph 3:9.’ (Charles Hodge)
1Co 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
None of the rulers of this age understood it - i.e. understood the wisdom referred to in v7. Paul refers several times to the agents of Christ’s crucifixion. ‘The proximate agents of the crucifixion can be the “rulers of this age” {1Co 2:8 Col 2:15} or, from another point of view, the “Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets.” {1Th 2:14-15} Paul alludes directly to the trial when he says that Christ Jesus “witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate.” {1Ti 6:13} Other epistolary texts emphasize the innocence of Jesus and the plight of those who caused him to suffer.’ {1Pe 2:22-24 Heb 6:6 10:26-29 Re 1:7} (DPL)
For all their much-vaunted wisdom, the worldly rulers were in such ignorance that they completely misunderstood Jesus and his mission. If they had any real understanding at all, they would never have done so.
A great deal of worldly wisdom, without spiritual insight – what does it lead to? Sorrow, tragedy, violence.
The Lord of glory is a most striking title. It means ‘the Lord whose essential attribute is glory’. It is used of God himself in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. Cf. Ps 24:10 Ac 7:2 Jas 2:1 Eph 1:17. Paul assigns to Christ the highest honour of all. Do we?
We have in one phrase the depth of Christ’s outward humiliation (they crucified him) and the glory of his essential glory (he is the Lord of glory). Such a deed could only be done in ignorance, Lu 23:34 Ac 3:17.
‘Great and excellent is the glory of Jesus Christ, the scriptures every where proclaim his glory:yea, we may observe a notable climax, or gradation, in those scriptures that speak of his glory. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of him, calls him glorious; Isa 4:2 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious.” John, speaking of his glory, rises a step higher, and ascribeth to him a “glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father,” Joh 1:14. i.e. a glory meet for, and becoming the Son of God:proper to him, and incommunicable to any other. The apostle James rises yet higher, and does not only call him glorious, or glorious as the only begotten of the Father, but the glory, Jas 2:1. glory in the abstract; “My brethren, (saith he) have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory, with respect of persons;” For the word “Lord,” which is in our translation, is a supplement; Christ is glory itself, yea, the glory emphatically so stiled; the glory of heaven; the glory of Sion; the glory of our souls for ever. The author to the Hebrews goes yet higher, and calls him not simply the glory, but “the brightness of the Father’s glory,” Heb 1:3. as though he should say, the radiancy, sparkling, or beaming forth of his Father’s glory; the very splendour or refulgency of divine glory. O what a glorious Lord is our Lord Jesus Christ! the bright, sparkling diamond of heaven; who shines in glory there, above the glory of angels and saints, as the glory of the sun excels the lesser, twinkling stars. When he appeared to Paul, Ac 26:13 “I saw (saith he) a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me:” Needs must the glory of Christ be unspeakable, who reflects glory upon all that are with him, Joh 17:24. and stamps glory upon all that belong to him. His works on earth were glorious works, Lu 13:17. the purchased liberty of his people, a glorious liberty, Ro 8:21. the church his mystical body, a glorious church, Eph 5:27. the gospel which reveals him is a glorious gospel, 1Ti 1:11.’ (Flavel)
1Co 2:9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-
The source of this quotation is uncertain. It appears to be a free rendering of Isa 64:4. Paul is asserting that none of our faculties eyes, ears, or understanding can give us any idea of the wonderful things that God has made ready for those who love him. Note that ‘not gnosis by love is the touchstone of Christian maturity and spirituality’ (Barrett). Note again the theme of fore-ordination, reinforcing the idea from v7 that God planned these things before time began.
This verse states of the impossibility of fully knowing in this life what God has prepared for his people. However ‘the corporate life of the redeemed with God is described in a number of pictures:
- the eschatological banquet {Mt 8:11 Mr 14:25 Lu 14:15-24 22:30}
- wedding feast {Mt 25:10 Re 19:9}
- paradise restored {Lu 23:43 Re 2:7 22:1f}
- the new Jerusalem.’ {Heb 12:22 Re 21}
(NBD, art. ‘Eschatology’)
Can we be characterised as ‘those who love God?’
‘There is nothing lost by love to God. ‘Eye has not seen, &c., the things which God has prepared for them that love him.’ 1Co 2:9. Such glorious rewards are laid up for them that love God, that as Augustine says, ‘they not only transcend our reason, but faith itself is not able to comprehend them.’ A crown is the highest ensign of worldly glory; but God has promised a ‘crown of life to them that love him,’ and a never-fading crown. Jas 1:12:1Pet 5:4.’ (Thomas Watson)
1Co 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit – ‘The Isaiah verse is not a reference to what we will discover in the future by way of God’s individual purposes for his people, nor to unanticipated gifts, because Paul uses the past tense when he states but God has revealed it to us, the apostles, through the activity of the Holy Spirit.’ {cf. 1Pe 1:12} (NBC)
‘Intelligent men may understand the outline of doctrines; but without the Holy Spirit’s revelation to the heart, these will be to them a mere outline-a skeleton, correct perhaps, but wanting life.’ (JFB)
The expression to us comes first in the Gk, and is thus emphasised. The rulers and wise men of this age were in total ignorance, but to us believers (or, less inclusively, to us apostles) have been revealed the gracious purposes of God. The fact that they have been revealed excludes boasting on our part.
‘Commentators must wrestle with the issue in the verses of whom Paul includes in his use of the first person plural verbs and pronouns. One view is that the pronoun “we” includes only Paul and the apostles. Thus, this section is viewed as an apology for Paul’s apostolic authority based on the teaching about the revelation and mind of Christ that he and the other Apostles have. In some camps of thought 2:13 is interpreted as supporting a very literalistic view of the inspiration of the words of the Apostles. Others view these verses as applying equally to all (mature) Christians. A third view, which seems the best interpretation of the evidence, regards the plural pronouns as references to the Corinthian readership (2:10, 12, 16) while the few occurrences of the Greek word laleo (2:6, 7, 13-”we speak;” 3:1-”address”) point to Paul’s more distinctive work as an apostle.’ (College Press)
The role of the Holy Spirit is emphasised, and Paul will now focus more particularly on his work, by indicating a fourfold ministry. First, the Holy Spirit searches. When Paul says that the Spirit searches all things, he means that the Spirit penetrates all secrets, all mysteries, even the deep things of God. No human creature can fathom the depths of the divine counsel, but the Spirit can, and it is he who reveals the mystery of the Gospel to us.
1Co 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Nobody can knows what is going on deep inside a person, except the person himself. Similarly, no-one can know what is going on within the Godhead, except the Spirit of God himself.
‘Only God’s Spirit knows what is in his heart, but because believers have God’s Spirit, they can know his heart too. This was a radical statement for most of ancient Judaism, because most Jewish teachers did not believe that the Spirit was active in their day. “Spirit” had a broad variety of meanings, including “attitude,” “disposition;” hence “spirit of the world” need not refer to any particular spiritual being (unlike God’s Spirit).’ (NT Background Commentary)
1Co 2:12 we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
The spirit of the world probably means ‘the temper of the world’, the spirit of human wisdom. World here is ‘cosmos’ (not ‘aion’, as in v7f). A second ministry of the Spirit is taught here: the Holy Spirit indwells.
We have…received…the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us - ‘Have you received the spirit which is of God, wrought by the Holy Ghost in your soul? The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart may be clearly seen from this fact, that all which has been done by God the Father, and by God the Son, must be ineffectual to us, unless the Spirit shall reveal these things to our souls. What effect does the doctrine of election have upon any man until the Spirit of God enters into him? Election is a dead letter in my consciousness until the Spirit of God calls me out of darkness into marvellous light. Then through my calling, I see my election, and knowing myself to be called of God, I know myself to have been chosen in the eternal purpose. A covenant was made with the Lord Jesus Christ, by his Father; but what avails that covenant to us until the Holy Spirit brings us its blessings, and opens our hearts to receive them? There hang the blessings on the nail-Christ Jesus; but being short of stature, we cannot reach them; the Spirit of God takes them down and hands them to us, and thus they become actually ours. Covenant blessings in themselves are like the manna in the skies, far out of mortal reach, but the Spirit of God opens the windows of heaven and scatters the living bread around the camp of the spiritual Israel. Christ’s finished work is like wine stored in the wine vat; through unbelief we can neither draw nor drink. The Holy Spirit dips our vessel into this precious wine, and then we drink; but without the Spirit we are as truly dead in sin as though the Father never had elected, and though the Son had never bought us with his blood. The Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary to our well being. Let us walk lovingly towards him and tremble at the thought of grieving him.’ (Spurgeon)
‘In verses 12-14 Paul uses six important verbs to describe the ministry of the Spirit in those who teach and those who hear the gospel: the former he enables to know, to declare and to explain; the latter he enables to receive, to understand and to appreciate. Without such ministry from the Spirit there can be no communication and no growth into maturity: the truth is incomprehensible and the things of the Spirit are even regarded as foolishness (14). (Prior)
1Co 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
Here is a third ministry of the Spirit: the Holy Spirit teaches. See Joh 14:26 16:13.
‘It is a remarkable tribute to his own preaching when he says that it consists of the secret revelation of the greatest of things: the teaching of the Holy Spirit, the totality of our salvation, the priceless treasures of Christ. He does so that the Corinthians might know how much it ought to be valued.’ (Calvin)
This is what we speak - Again, it is natural to think that Paul is referring to himself and his fellow-apostles.
Expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words is a difficult expression. It could mean ‘teaching spiritual truths to spiritually-minded men’. This seems consistent with the thought of the next verse.
But do we as Christians delight in such teaching? Do we yearn for a deeper understanding of the ways and works of God? Do we relish solid, nutritious, teaching?
1Co 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The man without the Spirit is lit. ‘the natural man’ – the worldly man, the man whose horizons are limited to the things of this life. Such a person not only does not, but cannot embrace spiritual things, because he lacks the equipment to do so. He ‘may be of the noblest character and attainments in the estimation of the world, yet he lacks the one thing needful. He is described as the natural man because his nature is unchanged by grace. He is a stranger to the New Birth..’ {Joh 3:3-8} (Wilson)
‘That is, the Spirit of God, from whom the teaching of the Gospel comes, is the only true interpreter for opening it up to us. If follows that in passing judgement on it the minds of men must necessarily be in darkness, until they are enlightened by the Spirit of God. The inference from this is that all men are by nature without the Spirit of God; otherwise the argument would fall to the ground. Of course, the light of reasons, such as it is, which is a necessity of life for all of us, is from the Spirit of God. But here we are speaking of that special revelation of heavenly wisdom, of which God thinks only his sons are worthy. Because of that there is all the less ground for tolerating the ignorance of those who think that the Gospel is offered to all men universally in such a way that it is free to all without distinction to lay hold of salvation by faith.’ (Calvin)
Does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God - ‘He knows not what it is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, Ro 12:2, or what the inward workings of the Spirit mean; these are riddles and paradoxes to him. He may have more insight into the things of the world than a believer, but he does not see the deep things of God. A swine may see an acorn under a tree, but he cannot see a star. He who is taught of Christ sees the arcana imperii state secrets, the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.’ (Thomas Watson)
‘These things of God are not only contrary to corrupt and carnal reason, but they are also above right reason. Grace indeed uses nature, but nature can do nothing without grace. The mind of a natural man has not only a native blindness, by reason whereof it cannot discern the things of the Spirit, but also a natural enmity, Ro 8:7, and hates the light, Joh 3:19,20.’ (Thomas Watson)
They are foolishness to him - Cf. Eph 4:18.
The are spiritually discerned - ‘The unspiritual are out of court as religious critics; they are deaf men judging music.’ (Findlay)
‘Discernment by Spirit-led men is seen in the incident where Jehoshaphat asks for a “prophet of the Lord” after the false prophets have spoken {1Ki 22:7} and is emphasized especially in the New Testament. {see Joh 10:4-5 1Co 2:14} In 1Co 14:29,32, the prophets will be judged by other prophets, for “the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,” and in 1Jo 4:1 the believer is to “test the spirits to see if they come from God.” In the final analysis all agree that only Spiritled individuals can discern clearly whether a prophet or preacher is truly sent from God.’ (Grant Osborne, The Hermeneutical Spiral)
Here, in vv14-16, is a fourth ministry of the Spirit: the Holy Spirit matures. The ‘spiritual man’ (v15) is the person is achieving a spiritual insight into things, who is not blinkered or side-tracked by worldly opinion, who has ‘the mind of Christ’, v16.
‘The natural man may have excellent notions in divinity but God must teach us to know the mysteries of the gospel after a spiritual manner. A man may see the figures upon a dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun shines; so we may read many truths in the Bible, but we cannot know them savingly, till God by his Spirit shines upon our soul. God teaches not only our ear, but our heart; he not only informs our mind, but inclines our will. We never learn aught till God teach us.’ (Thomas Watson)
1Co 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
He…is not subject to any man’s judgement – This is to be taken in the sense of ‘any natural man’. ‘It is clear enough from the whole tenor of Paul’s writings that he did not believe that men in whom was the Spirit of God could not be called upon to account for their actions (cf 14:29). Much of this Epistle is nothing else than a criticism (even though a loving and a spiritual criticism) of spiritual men. His point is that the spiritual man cannot be judged by the natural man, for precisely the same reason that he himself can judge all things. He has the Spirit of God within him and the natural man has not…Because the natural man cannot know spiritual things (v14), he cannot judge the spiritual man.’ (Leon Morris).
This ‘does not suggest that unsaved people cannot point out flaws in the believers life (they often do), but that the unsaved man really cannot penetrate into the full understanding of what the Christians life is all about’ (Wiersbe).
‘We may ask, who is the spiritual man, and where are we to find a man endowed with so much light, that he is capable of judging everything, when we are well aware of the fact that we are always beset with a great deal of ignorance, and are liable to the danger of going wrong, and, more than that, when even the most excellent of men repeatedly fall and come to grief? The answer is easy: Paul does not make this apply to everything, as if he delivers all who are renewed by the Spirit of God from every kind of error; but he simply wishes to teach that human intelligence is useless for assessing the teachings of religion, and that the right to judge in this way belongs to the Spirit of God alone. Therefore, a man judges aright and with assurance, according to whether he is born again, and according to the measure of grace bestowed on him – and no more.’ (Calvin)
‘When the Spirit enters a man’s life everything is changed. One new thing that appears is the ability to make a right judgement…Because the Spirit of God equips him…The spiritual man has the point of reference within himself. He is thus able to judge “all things.” The force of “all” should not be overlooked. The spiritual principle is the basis of his judgement on what men call the secular, as well as the sacred.’ (Leon Morris)
1Co 2:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Who has known the mind of the Lord…? - The quote is from Isa 40:13. There, of course, Jehovah is being referred to. But Paul moves easily into a reference to the mind of Christ, showing again what a lofty view of the Saviour he had. ‘To have1 the mind of Christ means to look at life from the Saviours point of view, having his values and desires in mind. It means to think Gods thoughts and not think as the world thinks’ (Wiersbe).
‘The thrust of his argument here is to buttress the assertion of 2:15. The reasons Paul’s detractors cannot successfully scrutinize him and find fault is that, according to Scripture, the mind of the Lord (noun kyriou) is in no need of examination and improvement, and Paul asserts that he indeed has the mind of Christ (noun Christou). This, then, demonstrates why he and others who are spiritual cannot be subject to the human judgment of his detractors.’ (College Press)
‘To the Corinthians, Paul brought the mind of Christ and made them share in the divine gospel wisdom. Will they now fall back into their former state and with worldly wisdom tell the Lord how to improve his mind and to make the gospel wisdom what they think it ought to be?’ (Lenski) Wilson adds at this point: ‘All those who still rely on their own ideas to “improve” the gospel cannot escape this grace indictment of blasphemy.’
Paul alludes on a number of occasions to the mind of Christ. We are to model our thinking on the teaching and example of Christ, Php 2:5. To have the mind of Christ is to think as he thought, to see things as he sees them. Our outlook on the world becomes aligned to his outlook.
‘No one can comprehend God, {Ro 11:34} but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions-they, in fact, have the “mind of Christ.” Through the Holy Spirit we can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect his answers to our prayers. Are you spending enough time with Christ to have his very mind in you? An intimate relationship with Christ comes only from spending time consistently in his presence and in his Word.’ (HBA)
‘The passage 6-16 has dealt with the fact that God is a ‘speaking’ God (cf. Dt. 4:33-36) who has chosen to disclose his heart and mind through his servants, the apostles. Attributing the words of the apostles ‘we do speak’ and ‘we speak’ (both in the present tense, vs 6, 13) to the wisdom of God which has been revealed, points to the fact that the apostles spoke the word of God – which is why the church historically has held the view that what the apostles said is what God says.’ (NBC)
‘Thus the minister of a sovereign could say, after an intimate conversation with his king, I am in full possession of my master’s mind. From this moment, therefore, to crticize the servant is to criticize the master.’ (Godet)
