Episode 172 - Receiving God's Wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

1Cor. 2:6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

1Cor. 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Paul continues to contrast the wisdom of men with the wisdom that comes from God. Earlier, Paul asserted that God’s “foolishness” is wiser than the wisdom of humanity and that God’s weakness is more powerful than the power of mankind. Most importantly, Jesus’ death on the cross is what the world considers foolishness.

Paul refers to this when he writes, “we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age.” Paul is not suggesting that he is the source of wisdom himself. In fact, he makes it clear in verse 7 when he declares this wisdom is “of God.”

But, a few things he says about this wisdom are strange. He says it’s a “secret and hidden wisdom from God” (v. 7). Why would that be? Why would God make it “secret and hidden?” I believe the context that follows gives us some clues. Paul adds that this secret wisdom “God decreed before the ages for our glory” (v. 7). What this is saying is that God planned, before he created the world and time itself, what he would do by sending his Son Jesus into the world to ultimately die on the cross for the sins of the world. Verse 9 explains, “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Our tendency might be to think God should have made it clear what he was doing so that Jesus wouldn’t have been crucified. But Paul is saying that in God’s wisdom, it was necessary for Jesus to die on the cross. So, while revealing in a secret and hidden wisdom what he was planning, human wisdom could not discern that mystery, and in the so-called wisdom of the world, they accommodated God’s plan.

If we think this seems “mean” or “evil” of God, notice God's purpose for doing it this way. He says that God did this “for our glory.” (v. 7). In God’s own wisdom, this was in the best interest of humanity. Paul then quotes Isaiah 64:4 to explain that God does things that benefit those who love him in ways that are incomprehensible to human wisdom.

So, we could rightly ask, “How can people understand that wisdom if our human reasoning and wisdom are incapable of truly understanding God’s hidden wisdom?” Paul answers this in verses 10-13. It’s by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who has the wisdom of God that makes it possible for us to understand and receive the gospel of Christ.

A parent has a measure of understanding and wisdom on their child's limitations at various stages in life. They have an idea of what the child can handle or cannot. A good parent doesn’t withhold something out of spite and meanness. They do it out of love. This is what God is doing. He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it. He knows to be present with us and guide us into understanding and receiving his wisdom and truth.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being infinitely wise and revealing your truth to us when we need it. We thank you for the Holy Spirit you gave to be with us and help us understand your great love for us.