I Corinthians 2:6-16
The text before us is almost too good to read. Paul speaks with words that reveal God’s wisdom to all who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.
In the eyes of this world, the believers in the church at Corinth would be undeserving to hear these words. Beginning with the 10th verse of chapter 1 and continuing through the last verse of the sixth chapter, Paul addresses the failings of believers at Corinth, failings to conduct themselves in a manner that glorified God. There were many in the church with misplaced faith — faith that stood on the wisdom of men rather than the power of God (see v. 5).
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect” (v. 6). The wisdom which Paul speaks of in this verse is not the wisdom of the world, the wisdom of men. The wisdom of the world does not, and cannot, lead men to the saving knowledge of God (see 1:21). The wisdom among them that are made perfect is much different from the failed wisdom of the princes of this world. The wisdom of the perfect which Paul speaks is not of man; it is of God.
Wisdom, by definition, is the application of knowledge. The wisdom of God is the application of God’s knowledge by God. The only ones who can possess an understanding of the wisdom of God are those who have been made perfect. To be made perfect, one must be changed by God’s application of His knowledge. God, in His wisdom, foreordained, from before the foundation of the world, that believers would be redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:19). The wisdom of God is made known to all who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb when they first believed. Such is the wisdom of God.
The wisdom of God is revealed in both Old and New Testament scripture, but is made more fully known in the New Testament. New Testament truths were hidden in that which was revealed to the prophets. The apostle refers to the wisdom of God as a mystery because the manner in which God would redeem the world was hidden until Christ suffered death upon the cross (v. 7).
In verse 8, Paul states that the princes of this world would not have crucified the Lord of glory if they had known it. The “it” that they did not know was God’s plan of salvation. Why? Crucifying Christ would not have resulted in an effect which princes desire. The princes of this world use their knowledge (knowledge of this world) to achieve effects by which they may lift themselves above others. The princes of this world desire to use works (their application of knowledge) to promote themselves. God’s plan does not work for them. God’s plan works for all who trust in Him and lean not to their own understandings.
The princes who crucified Christ knew the scriptures. They knew that Christ would be the son of David and would be born in the city of David. They knew the words of the prophet Malachi who said Elijah must come first (Matt. 11:14). They knew the words of Isaiah stating that God’s righteous servant shall justify many “for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:11). They knew the scriptures but lacked understanding. Their wisdom failed them because they did not love God.
In verse 9, Paul cites Isaiah 64:4 in praise of that which God has revealed to believers (His plan of salvation). God’s gift of life eternal was not seen nor heard by them who love Him until after the Son suffered death upon the cross.
“But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit” (v. 10). That which had been spoken of by the prophets, but hidden, had now been revealed by the Spirit. The believers at Corinth knew of God’s wisdom because the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) now gives understanding of the deep things of God (see John 14:26).
In verse 11, Paul explains the manner in which both the things of man and the things of God are known. Knowing the things of man (natural man) is only possible because the spirit of natural man is in all men. Knowing things of God (spiritual things) is only possible if the Spirit of God is within a man. Believers have cause to rejoice because of the gift of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) which we have received. Through the Spirit, we are enabled to know that which God freely gives (v. 12). We know that which the princes of the world cannot know.
“Which things also we speak . . .” (v. 13). The things which Paul speaks are things spiritual. The words which Paul wrote to the Corinthians (and to us) were originally recorded using letters and words of the Greek language. Fluency of language cannot produce understanding of spiritual things. Paul’s words are gibberish to them who are without the Holy Spirit who gives understanding to spiritual things. Natural man is without help of the Holy Spirit and has no understanding of spiritual things (v. 14).
“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things . . .” (v. 15). To be spiritual is to be directed by the Holy Spirit. God’s precious promise of judging all things is contingent upon being led by the Spirit. To be led by the Spirit, one must know the mind of God. To know the mind of God, one must have the mind of Christ — the mind of the Son who sought to be and was obedient to the Father in all things. All who are spiritual are like the Son.
We have great cause to praise God for His free gifts. We read the words of Paul and hear the voice of the Spirit say, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (Jn. 1:12). Let us look to the wisdom which God freely gives. Let Christ be seen in us.
