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1 Corinthians 2

World English Bible

WEB

1When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown, yet a wisdom not of this world nor of the rulers of this world who are coming to nothing. 7But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, 8which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.” 10But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except God’s Spirit. 12But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. 13We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. 14Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is to be judged by no one. 16“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 2, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of divine wisdom over human wisdom. He begins by recalling his approach to the Corinthians, stating that he did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom, but rather in humility and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s message centers on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which he describes as a mystery that was hidden from the wise and learned of the world but revealed to those who believe. This highlights the theme of #humility and the necessity of faith in understanding God’s truth, as seen in verses 1-5.

Paul further explains that the wisdom of God is not of this age and cannot be comprehended by natural human understanding. He quotes from Isaiah, stating that what God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond human imagination. The chapter concludes with the assertion that believers have received the Spirit of God, allowing them to discern spiritual truths. Paul contrasts the spiritual person, who understands the things of God, with the natural person, who cannot accept them. This distinction underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, affirming that true wisdom comes from God alone and is accessible through faith in Jesus Christ.

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 29:29v10Deuteronomy 29:29 speaks of the secret things belonging to God, while 1 Corinthians 2:10 reveals that God has revealed certain mysteries to us through His Spirit.
  2. Psalms 31:19v9Psalm 31:19 praises the goodness stored up for those who fear God, which aligns with 1 Corinthians 2:9, describing the unimaginable things God has prepared for those who love Him.
  3. John 16:13v10John 16:13 speaks of the Spirit of truth guiding believers into all truth, which is echoed in 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 where Paul describes the Spirit revealing the deep things of God.
  4. 2 Corinthians 12:4v92 Corinthians 12:4 describes hearing inexpressible things in paradise, which echoes 1 Corinthians 2:9 about the unimaginable things God has prepared for those who love Him.

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