1 Corinthians 2
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 I came to you knowing only Christ  1
We speak the hidden wisdom of God  6
Divine mysteries revealed through the Spirit  7
The Spirit searches all; we do not speak in human wisdom  10
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Text
Comments
.1 ¶ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
.3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
 4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
.5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

  1 - Not with excellency of speech How great if we took this attitude in dealing with people. This would not mean preaching all the time but holding the honor of Christ above all else.
  4 -Demonstration of the Spirit and power. This does not justify bypassing the Scriptures 2ti0316. Paul was determined not to depend on eloquence of speech to bring conviction, but on the work of the Holy Spirit. We take this to mean he learned a better way than was used on Mars hill ac1722. In speaking with the power of the Spirit Jesus never caused people to laugh uncontrollably or to go unconscious. The power was in bringing conviction to hearts by the still, small voice. 1ki1912.
.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.
  6 - Howbeit Or "But" The second section of the argument begun in chapter 2.
  6 - Perfect From teleioi. Full grown or mature. See on mt0548. Maturity in ChristSee ep0413,14. Compare ph0315 where Paul includes himself. Paul's readers are to move beyond the milk stage he0512, 1co0301-3.
  8 - None of the princes Those with worldly wisdom cannot understand. This is not to say that the worldly wise could not understand the the demand of crucifixion. Their wisdom denied the reality ro0807
 
.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.
 9 But as it says in the holy Writings, Things which the eye saw not, and which had not come to the ears or into the heart of man, such things as God has made ready for those who have love for him. (BBE) This is a better translation although the KJV is okay.
.10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
  9 -Written In is6404. The quotation from Isaiah tells us that heaven is beyond our greatest imagination. But v10 seem to say that, now, we can imagine them. Paul has looked at the spiritual aspect of the promise and assures us that, through the Holy Spirit we can know the deep things of God. Of course we will have plenty more to learn throughout eternity so the statement is for the righteous, too. Praise God. See he0512.
  10 - By his Spirit Yet there is more to know.
 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.
  11 - Things of God knoweth no man Natural man cannot understand. da1210. Even the righteous is5508. Even the righteous understand but the little that is in the Bible. 1co1309.
  11 - See ro1202.
  13 - Man's wisdom teacheth Literally, "not in taught words of human wisdom. The issue was the the tempting human wisdom of Greek philosophy. See is2809f.
  13 - Holy Ghost teacheth In contrast, Paul was taught through the influence of the Holy Spirit. See on 2pe121.
  14 - Natural man Without the guidance of the Spirit of God, he rejects the ideas spiritual truth. 
   14 - Discernd From anakrino, "to investigate," a process of judging. See the use of this word in these texts: lu2314, ac0409, 1co1025. It is all foolishness to the natural person. Great intelligence does not help.
 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.
  15 - Judged of no man The natural (carnal) person cannot logically evaluate the person born of the Spirit.
  16 - Mind of the Lord From is4013. We are united to Christ by the Spirit jn1416-19 and may have the mind of Christ ph0205, ga0220, ep0217, ph0213.

 
 
 

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