1Cor 2:6-7 | 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).