1Cor 2:6-16 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 2:6-16: 2:6-16 Paul emphasizes God’s wisdom in contrast to the world’s wisdom. Real wisdom is not mere human wisdom but the wisdom of the Spirit, expressed in the so-called “foolishness” of the Good News (see 1:20-25 ). 2:6 Only the spiritually mature will recognize God’s wisdom ; many of the Corinthians would have been unable to recognize it (see 3:1-3 ). • The rulers of this world (see also 2:8 ) . . . are soon forgotten because Christ now rules—his enemies have been defeated by his death on the cross (see 15:24-25 ; Col 2:15 ).

Summary for 1Cor 2:6-16: 2:6-16 ^a Paul emphasizes God’s wisdom in contrast to the world’s wisdom. Real wisdom is not mere human wisdom but the wisdom of the Spirit, expressed in the so-called “foolishness” of the Good News (see 1:20-25 ^b). 2:6 ^c Only the spiritually mature will recognize God’s wisdom; many of the Corinthians would have been unable to recognize it (see 3:1-3 ^d).

• The rulers of this world (see also 2:8 ^e) . . . are soon forgotten because Christ now rules—his enemies have been defeated by his death on the cross (see 15:24-25 ^f; Col 2:15 ^g).
2:7 ^h In Paul’s writings, mystery often refers to a truth previously hidden but now revealed in the Good News of Christ and his saving work (see Rom 11:25-27 ⁱ; 1 Tim 3:9 ^j, 16 ^k).

• before the world began: From the very beginning, it has been God’s desire to save his chosen people through Christ (see Rom 16:25-26 ^l; Eph 1:9-12 ^m; 3:3-12 ⁿ; Col 1:25-27 ^o) and to bring them to ultimate glory in the coming age (see Rom 5:2 ^p; 8:18-21 ^q, 29-30 ^r; 1 Thes 2:12 ^s).
2:8 ^t The rulers of this world are probably political rulers rather than spiritual authorities (see also 15:24 ^u; cp. Acts 3:14-15 ^v; 4:10 ^w; 5:29-32 ^x).
2:9 ^y This quotation (cp. Isa 64:4 ^z) supports Paul’s point (1 Cor 2:8 ^aa): Those with no spiritual sensitivity do not understand God’s work of redemption.
Summary for 1Cor 2:10-12: 2:10-12 ^ab it was to us: Those who believe in Christ and have thus received his Spirit (see 6:19 ^ac; 12:13 ^ad; Gal 3:2 ^ae; Eph 1:13 ^af; Titus 3:5 ^ag) are contrasted with the rulers of this world (1 Cor 2:8 ^ah). God’s deep secrets are not understood through secular wisdom or philosophy, but through God’s own Spirit, who alone can reveal God’s thoughts to his people (see 1 Jn 2:20 ^ai, 27 ^aj; cp. Matt 11:25-27 ^ak). God has graciously given his Spirit to his people so they can know the wonderful things God has freely given them (cp. John 16:13-14 ^al).
2:13 ^am using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.
2:14 ^an people who aren’t spiritual: Unbelievers, whose minds are blinded to the Spirit, function in the natural world and see life only through physical eyes (see 2 Cor 4:4 ^ao). They cannot appreciate the significance of the Good News, for it is essentially a spiritual message.
2:15 ^ap Those who are spiritual: People who have the Spirit have a true understanding of divine revelation.
2:16 ^aq This quotation from Isa 40:13 ^ar shows how divine wisdom transcends the limitations of human reasoning (cp. Rom 11:34 ^as).

• we have the mind of Christ: Linked to Christ, believers have the Spirit of Christ to reveal Christ’s thinking to them.