1Corinthians 2:6-11 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: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
‘Perfect’ [Greek: teleios] mature and complete. Here it is used of full growth, as men, and not children, in Christian knowledge – thoroughly instructed and deeply experienced, as in 2 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28; James 1:4; 3:2; Hebrews 5:14 and 1 John 4:18.
‘Wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.’ The wisdom of God – the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was hidden up to the time of its revelation and which God ordained before this age for us. None of the rulers of this world knew this revelation. If they had known it they would not have crucified the Lord. Prophets searched diligently to understand what they prophesied about it, and even angels themselves desired to comprehend it (1Pet. 1:10-13). Such mystery is now made clear through the preaching of the apostles and the revelation of the Scriptures of the New Testament (Rom. 1:1-5; 16:25-26; 1Cor. 2:9-16; Gal. 1:12, 16; Eph. 3:1-8; Heb. 8:6; 2Pet. 3:16).
‘Ordained’ [Greek: proorizo] predetermine. God simply determined to bring about His plan for the good of all who would believe and conform to it.
‘Eye has not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.’ This is the 4th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in 1 Corinthians (Isa. 64:4).
‘The things which God has prepared.’ Seven “things” of 1Corinthians 2:9-14: The things prepared by God (2:9); the deep things of God (2:10); the things of man (2:11); the things of God (2:11); things freely given by God (2:12); spiritual things (2:13); the things of the Spirit of God (2:14).
‘For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?’ This defines the human spirit as that part of man which knows – the intellect, mind, and will.
‘The spirit of man’ – three different spirits: The spirit of man; the Spirit of God (2:11); the spirit of the world (2:12).
Living the Word 