October 15, 2023
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
“Pneumatic Wisdom”
Service Overview: There is a wisdom that transcends and supersedes all naturalistic wisdom, and that is the wisdom that comes from the Spirit. It opens the eyes of those that are spiritually blind to a greater/eternal reality that cannot be seen by those whose eyes and hearts are blinded by the “wisdom” of this age.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- The Greek word for “mystery” is mystērion [3466], which refers to something previously hidden that now has been revealed. Like a secret to be shared among a select few, God has made the mystery of the gospel crystal clear to believers, the recipients of His revelation; but the gospel remains obscured to those who have not yet entered God’s inner circle. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 48)
- Here in the Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul says, “God’s wisdom in a mystery.” This is quite interesting because it is a word that came out of Greek schools of philosophy, of the occult, and of science. Paul fastens on this Greek word, and he says, “We speak God’s wisdom in a mystery,” but he gives it an entirely new meaning. Mystery comes from the word meaning “mouth,” and it means to shut the mouth it is something secretive. However, Paul never used it in that way. Rather, that which had been silent has now become vocal. (J. Vernon McGee, First Corinthians, 35)
- 2:6. In Paul’s disclaimer about his own brilliance he did not mean that God puts a premium on ignorance and rejects wisdom of any sort. There was a wisdom taught by the Spirit which Paul wanted his readers to grasp firmly. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 510)
- 9 The phrase “as it is written” usually refers the reader to an Old Testament passage. Here, however, Paul seems more to have generalized an Old Testament theme, as references such as Psalm 31:20; Isaiah 52:15; 64:4; 65:17 suggest. Paul’s point is that human senses and understanding cannot begin to comprehend what God has prepared for those who love him. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 39)
- First, the idea of a “hidden wisdom in a mystery” draws from the language of Daniel 2 (see 2:18,19,27,28,29,30,47; also 4:9). A “mystery” in the New Testament speaks of something previously hidden but now revealed. It speaks of something humans could only know by divine revelation. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 47)
What does this text reveal about the wisdom of God?
- That it transcends mere human understanding.
(v. 6 | Job 38; Prov. 1:7; 19:21; Is. 40:28; Jeremiah 8:9; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1:3-14)
Many non-Christians, skilled in the biblical languages and in ancient history and literature, can tell us what specific passages of Scripture mean every bit as adequately as the best Christian commentators, and often better than some less competent Christian interpreters. The “understanding” these non-Christians do not possess is what the Bible consistently considers to be the fullest kind of understanding: a willingness to act on and obey the word of God (cf. v. 14a). (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 91)
- That its timeless nature remains a mystery until revealed otherwise.
(vv. 7-10a | Matthew 13:11; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; 3:2-6; Colossians 1:26-27)
“Mystery” in the New Testament always means something undiscoverable by the activity of the human intellect but is revealed so that human intellect can apprehend it. (J. Vernon McGee, First Corinthians, 36)
The great plan of redemption was not a hasty afterthought on the part of God after He saw what man had done. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 37)
The wisdom of the gospel is not discoverable by humans. Revealing a mystery and discovering a mystery are two different things. God revealed to humanity what humans through their own methods and pursuits could never have discovered. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 48)
- That God’s Spirit is the only means by which God’s wisdom is revealed.
(vv. 10b-14 | Joel 2:28; Mat. 16:17; John 14:15-17, 26; 16:7-8; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14)
As a man’s own spirit best understands his inner thoughts, so the Spirit of God alone can grasp divine truths (verse 11), and alone can interpret to those within whom he dwells ‘the things that are freely given to us by God’ (RV). (F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Corinthians, 40)
Human genius and oratorical ingenuity can’t lure people into the kingdom. Only the simplicity of the gospel, applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit, can humble people and lead them to renounce worldly ways and to embrace the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 47)
Just as a person cannot penetrate another person’s thought processes, so no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. The only way to know God is to know his Holy Spirit, to have him in one’s life. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 40)
- That when revealed, it empowers God’s people to live.
(vv. 12, 15-16 | Jer. 31:33; Ez. 36:26-27; Rom. 8:5; Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Tim. 1:6-7; 1 John 4:1)
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Answer: We who have received the Spirit know it, because we, unlike the world, have the mind of Christ. (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 46)
Spiritual discernment enables us to draw conclusions based on God’s perspective, make wise decisions in difficult circumstances, recognize the activities of God’s Spirit, distinguish the correct and incorrect use of Scripture, and identify and expose false teachers. (Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 43)
- That the epicenter of it is Christ’s work on the cross.
(vv. 1:18, 24 | Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 1:18; Ephesians 2:16-18; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 12:2)
Worldly wisdom, which only analyzes Jesus’ life, halts at the cross. In that shortsighted view, the great teacher had come to a tragic end. But God’s wisdom makes Christ, the cross, and the Resurrection central. Beware of any teaching, no matter how fascinating, that seeks to add to what Jesus accomplished. All that God has revealed still begins and ends with Christ. (Osborne, 38)
Conclusion… How is a passage like this a HUGE comfort for Jesus’ followers in light of our current culture?
A. If you are believer, you are one on purpose, for a purpose.
(Ecc. 12:13-14; John 6:44; Romans 5:3-5; 8:29; Ephesians 1:5; 2:10; Col. 2:6-7; 1 Peter 1:2)
Our understanding and believing the gospel are gifts of the Spirit. We did not need human information. We needed divine revelation. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 53)
As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime we are being saved from sin’s power. (Alistair Begg, Made For His Pleasure, 39)
B. In Christ, you have access to the very Spirit and wisdom of God!
(Ps. 145:18; Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18; 3:12; Col. 3:16; Heb. 4:16; James 1:5; 1 Peter 3:18)
There is a wisdom that all Christians have by the mere fact that they have the Spirit living in them, but it is appropriated only when they yield themselves to the Spirit rather than act in accordance with the desires of the flesh—their fallen human nature. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 85)
Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you. (Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord, 63)
Gospel Connection…
The need for Jesus’ death was no surprise, and in it is revealed the very wisdom and love of God.
(Psalm 139:16; Isaiah 41:4; 46:10; Acts 2:23; Romans 5:5; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 1 Peter 1:20)
In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. (Thomas à Kempis, Inner Life, 16)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What is the difference between the wisdom of people (vv. 1,4) and the wisdom of the Spirit (vv. 6-7)?
- How can the phrase “for our glory” (v. 7) help us to trust God as we attempt to understand his sovereign will?
- According to 2:12–16, what does the Holy Spirit do for us?
- In practical terms, how does the Spirit teach the believer?
- What do you think Paul meant when he said, “The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment” (2:15 NIV)?
- What does it mean that believers have the “mind of Christ”?
Quotes to note…
Some of the Corinthian Christians, especially perhaps after hearing Apollos and other visitors, were inclined to dismiss Paul’s teaching as elementary, ABC stuff. He assures them that he has more advanced teaching to impart to those who are spiritually mature, but evidently he does not regard the Corinthians as sufficiently mature to assimilate this wisdom (cf. 3.1-3). Spiritual maturity, his whole letter suggests, depends not so much on knowledge, in which they were not deficient, as on love. (F. F. Bruce, The New Century Bible Commentary: 1 and 2 Corinthians, 37)
the message of the gospel is simple enough for an illiterate pagan to understand, believe, and be saved. But it is also so profound that the most brilliant theologian cannot fathom its depths. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 36)
Since only spiritual people are able to receive spiritual truths, it follows that the man without the Spirit, an unregenerate person, would not and could not receive the message of wisdom regardless of his intellectual abilities or accomplishments (1:20). (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty, 510)
Believers are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny, meaning that nonbelievers have no authority by which to judge what Christians believe. Nonbelievers can make no judgment of spiritual matters because they do not have the Spirit. Therefore, they can make no judgment of spiritual people for the same reason. (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 43)
The natural person can read the Bible, hear the gospel, and weigh its meaning. However, without the work of the Spirit, he or she will never boast in it (1:31; Gal 6:14). They will never see it as beautiful, precious, and valuable. They are blind to its beauty, deaf to its melody, and insensitive to its fragrant aroma. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 52)
God’s plans for His own are so wonderful that our minds cannot begin to conceive of them or comprehend them! (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 39)
The concept of a crucified Messiah was not clearly understood in Old Testament times and was still not grasped in Paul’s day by those who rejected Jesus (v. 8). But this should not cause surprise; Isaiah himself had prophesied unexpected wonders surrounding God’s coming salvation for his people (Isa. 64:4; 52:15, quoted and paraphrased in v. 9). And all along God had planned these wondrous events for the benefit of those who would respond positively (v. 7b). (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians (The NIV Application Commentary), 87)
People can spend their whole lives studying at the most prestigious schools, adding a chain of letters after their names, traveling the world over, and experiencing all life has to offer. Yet these empirical means can never discover the depths of God’s mystery, which can be revealed only by the Holy Spirit through faith. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 49)