6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16 KJV)
Wisdom from the Spirit
In this part of the chapter, the apostle shows that though he did not come to the Corinthians with human wisdom or the admired learning of Jews and Greeks, he communicated to them a treasure of true and divine wisdom. “We speak wisdom among those who are mature” (1 Cor 2:6)—those well instructed in Christianity and spiritually enlightened by the Holy Spirit. They not only understand the story of Christ crucified but perceive the deep purposes of divine wisdom in it. What the world calls foolishness is wisdom to them. Only those made wise by God can rightly discern true wisdom. This wisdom is not of this world, nor of its rulers, but “the wisdom of God in a mystery” (1 Cor 2:7)—divine wisdom that worldly minds, led by pride and passion, cannot receive. God’s wisdom is utterly unlike that of the world; it is hidden wisdom, once concealed but now revealed by the Spirit. “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations is now made manifest to the saints” (Col 1:26). Those who have the gospel revelation see its types unveiled and its secret counsels made plain.
This wisdom was “ordained by God before the world began, for our glory” (1 Cor 2:7). God determined from eternity to reveal it for the honor and happiness of his people. It was a great privilege for the apostles to be entrusted with this revelation and for Christians to receive it. The wisdom of God displayed in the gospel not only brings salvation but prepares believers for everlasting glory. The divine counsels of redemption, formed before time, reveal profound wisdom meant to make the saints glorious both now and forever.
The great men of the world were ignorant of this wisdom: “None of the rulers of this age knew it; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:8). This refers to the Roman governor and Jewish leaders, who, not knowing Christ, condemned him. Jesus, “the Lord of glory,” was rejected because they were blind to who he was. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Many act against the truth for the same reason—they are ignorant or careless of God’s wisdom in redemption.
This wisdom could not have been discovered without revelation. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him” (Isa 64:4; 1 Cor 2:9). These truths lie beyond human discovery; no sense or reason can uncover them. Only revelation can make them known. Life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel (2 Tim 1:10). Therefore, we must accept divine truths as they are revealed in Scripture.
“God has revealed them to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor 2:10). Scripture is inspired by God; “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). The apostles also spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. This proves the divine authority of Scripture. The Spirit “searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10). Just as a person’s spirit knows his own thoughts, so the Spirit of God knows God’s thoughts (1 Cor 2:11). Omniscience is attributed to the Holy Spirit—He knows and penetrates the deepest counsels of God, which proves His divinity. The Spirit is as essential to God as a man’s mind is to himself. As we cannot know another’s mind unless he reveals it, neither can we know God’s secret purposes until revealed by His Spirit.
The apostles received this wisdom not from “the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Cor 2:12). What they taught came by divine inspiration, not human reasoning. The blessings of the gospel are God’s gracious gifts, but even after being revealed, they cannot be truly understood without the illumination of the Spirit.
Paul adds, “We speak not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches” (1 Cor 2:13). The apostles did not dress divine truths in human eloquence but declared them plainly in Spirit-taught words. The Holy Spirit not only revealed truth but gave the proper words to express it. Divine truths shine best in the language the Spirit provides. They compared “spiritual things with spiritual,” interpreting one part of revelation by another and relating the New Testament to the Old. Human philosophy cannot measure divine revelation; only spiritual comparison can unfold its harmony and depth.
“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him” (1 Cor 2:14). The “natural man” means one governed by corrupt nature and void of the Spirit. His understanding, darkened by sin, cannot receive divine light. God’s truths seem foolish to him; “the light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5). It is not that reason is lost, but that the mind, enslaved by sin, resists the truth. Only the Spirit can open the heart to perceive its beauty and power. Others take “the natural man” to mean the worldly-wise philosopher who trusts his own intellect, refuses revelation, and seeks all truth by reason alone. Such men reject divine teaching as madness, because they will not admit the Spirit’s authority.
“But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged by no one” (1 Cor 2:15). The spiritual person, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, can rightly discern both natural and divine matters. He perceives the wisdom and power of God in gospel truths that seem foolish to the worldly mind. His renewed mind discerns beauty in holiness and understands divine revelation, while remaining beyond the world’s judgment. “The carnal mind” cannot comprehend his principles or motives, for his life is “hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).
The spiritual man, guided by revelation, can discern the truth of doctrine and the character of teaching, but the natural man cannot judge him. “Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” (1 Cor 2:16). Only those who have the Spirit of God can understand His mind. Paul concludes, “But we have the mind of Christ.” The apostles, inspired by the Spirit, were given insight into Christ’s will, and through their writings, believers today also share this revelation. The mind of Christ is the mind of God, for Christ is God and the messenger of divine truth.
It is, therefore, the great privilege of Christians that through the Spirit they have the mind of Christ revealed to them in Scripture. The wisdom once hidden from the world is now opened to those who love Him. Though the world deems it foolishness, to those who believe it is the wisdom and power of God.