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:
Paul’s manner of preaching and evangelism confirms his low esteem for human knowledge and philosophy. He refrained from drawing attention to his own accomplishments, nor did he try to gain followers to himself using the wisdom of words (1Cor 1:17) and convincing oratory tricks. His entire focus was to present the salvation that is possible in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Apostle Peter wrote, We have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty (2Pet 1:16). Humility and meekness are most beautiful when seen in people of confidence, wisdom and talent. Paul was such a person.
The testimony of God (also 1Cor 1:6; 2Tim 1:8) refers to freshly received revelation from above (Rom 16:25) in two crucially-important areas. First, that Jesus the Nazarene is the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews, a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people (Luke 24:19). Second, that this Jesus had replaced the old Jewish covenant with a better one, offering hope to all people, Jew or Gentile, free or bond, male or female (Gal 3:28).
Instead of using the wisdom of the world to convince men of the truth of the Gospel message, Paul preached Christ in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The meaning is not entirely clear, but seeing that he is contrasting the power of the Spirit to the power of worldly speech and logic, I believe Paul is saying that he relied on the convicting power of the Spirit to convince men of the truth. He laid the evidence and facts before the people and then let the Spirit convict the hearts of his hearers. He used knowledge aright (Pro 15:2): speaking honestly, directly and humbly, but with great conviction. The preacher’s task is to persuade men, but wisely and by the help and power of the Spirit. Read the example of the almost illiterate Peter in Acts 2:37. See also Acts 4:33, 1Thes 1:5 and 2Cor 11:6.
The word power in this passage is the Greek word dunamis. Jesus taught the people as one having authority (exousia). See Mat 7:29. As he shows in this passage, Paul’s method was to convince his listeners of the divine origin of his message. It came not from men, but from God on high; so it must be true, it must be believed. Eloquence of speech then, would only detract from his goal and would draw attention to the speaker instead of the message. Thus, the Apostle says, “I rely on the Spirit of God to manifest Himself to your minds in all power and conviction.”
The topic of all preaching centers upon this great, basic truth: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. The reasons for living, the purpose of being church, the search for God – and every other important question comes back to peerless subject. The Apostle Paul authenticated his message by working among them the signs of an Apostle…in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds (2Cor 12:12). Preachers today authenticate their message by living it daily, by practicing its precepts and showing forth good fruit (Mat 7:15-20).
Paul says he was among the Corinthians in weakness…and much trembling. Some scholars take this statement very literally, inferring that Paul suffered from a speech impediment and/or a serious bodily handicap (see Clarke). Probably that makes too much of the text, although by other passages we are convinced that Paul did suffer an infirmity that hindered his public appearance (2Cor 12:7). Interestingly, God did not heal this handicap even though Paul was able to work special miracles (Acts 19:11-12; 2Cor 12:8-10).
To me, hearing Paul say that he came in weakness, fear and trembling reveals his attitude in preaching the Gospel – in humility and reliance on God. Paul had the mind and learning of an intellectual. He could more than hold his own with any Greek orator or doctor and he was also highly educated in the Jewish religion, having studied under the well-respected Gamaliel. Yet, in all meekness and trembling, his every effort was to introduce men to that Man the world had crucified. He did so in fear and trembling, for he fully recognized the great responsibility of his mission. His sober, fervent desire was to preach the message faithfully and correctly. The Christian minister who preaches the Word of God over the pulpit does well to cultivate the same concerns.
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The educated, worldly man subjects his beliefs to facts, logic and science. All other evidences, whether supernatural, circumstantial or revelational are ruled invalid. In reality, these men are unable to practice what they preach, for the “facts” they confess must be interpreted and believed upon varying degrees of faith. Even the rules of logic and causative science have no explanation for their existence – they simply exist as a universal truth that all accept as valid and certain. So in the end, the atheist’s choice to believe them rests on faith! The Christian, meanwhile, has real basis for believing the laws of science, logic and morality. The Creator has so designed the universe. Thus, in spite of the superficial “disagreement” between faith and science, the actual decision of the ungodly intellectual is no different than the thinking Christian: to weigh a piece of evidence by how likely it is to be true. And that is a very subjective exercise which is highly influenced by one’s pre-suppositions.
How wonderful and satisfactory it then is to realize that our faith does not rely on the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We have the Word of Truth in our hands, that divine and trustworthy guide which unshakably affirms our hope! True faith is not irrational, but will satisfy all the requirements of normal logic and science within a worldview that presupposes the existence of the Creator-God. The intellectual man will scoff and ridicule the idea of God, but I will scoff and ridicule the absurdity of their stated faith: that particles, molecules, cells, life – the entire universe – created itself out of nothing! Without doubt, that is the single greatest leap of faith a man has ever been asked to take, for it flies in the face of all fact, logic, science and observational evidence so forcefully and on such a grand scale that the honest, unbiased mind will reject it as absurd. To believe that even a stone might create itself from nothing would be quite incredible, much less that life and all else could arise naturally from emptiness.
It is far more logical to believe that God spoke the world into existence. And how natural to find that He gave us a written record of that event! Our faith, which we concede to be not seen by the eyes, is nowhere near the absurdity of faith that naturalism requires. Nor is our faith irrational, as is the faith of naturalism’s gods and concocted metaphysics. Rather, it is the conviction, based on the available evidence, of things not seen. Our faith is the power of God. The deep wisdom of the Scriptures is peerless and incredible among the books of the world. Any other writing is weak and hollow by comparison. Those who denigrate it (intellectuals and doubters alike) are either too blind to sincerely read it, or have rejected the existence of a divine Author. The true intellectual is amazed again and again at the deep levels of truth and wisdom that the Holy Scriptures offer!
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:
The word perfect means “mature, of full age.” In the next verses, Paul shows that there is great wisdom in God and deep mysteries too. Yet, he could speak of these only to those who are spiritually mature. The corinthians were still babes in Christ (1Cor 3:1-4). Again the two categories of Wisdom are given: the wisdom of this world (which will pass away) and the wisdom of God (a mystery hidden from the princes of this world).
The mature Christian, knowing God more fully than ever before, will begin to appreciate new vistas of truth, such as the great blueprints of the world and mankind which God has minutely designed and created. The universe with all its intricate details and beautiful handiwork He designated for service and then set in motion the clocks of time. Although God foreknew every part of His plan, He has not yet made it fully known to mankind. It is still a mystery and so will it remain until the Consummation. In the time of the Apostles, new pages were suddenly opened to the spiritual eyes of Man (Rom 16:25; 2Cor 3:14). The formerly-hidden wisdom, announced in figurative, obscure pictures to the prophets of old, were newly revealed (Mat 11:25).
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The princes of this world refer to the whole domain of iniquity, beginning with that devil prince of darkness (John 12:31; Eph 2:2) and his host of demons in the spiritual realm to the wicked princes on earth that follow his rebel acts against God and truth.
David, in prophesying of the Messiah’s rejection, said that the rulers (archon, or princes, in LXX) would take counsel together with the heathen and kings of the earth against the Lord and His Anointed (Ps 2). This was fulfilled when the Jewish rulers conspired to deliver Jesus to the Roman kings, who carried out their wicked desires to have Him executed. Yet the real powers in command were the princes of darkness, the Devil and his wicked cohorts, who manipulated kings and men from behind the veil of the spiritual realm (Eph 6:12). But God took the “wise” in their own craftiness (1Cor 3:19), all were blindsided by the secret, hidden plan of God that His Son would die for the sins of mankind and rise from the grave to rescue them from the clutches of that evil one.
Through death Jesus destroyed the one that had the power of death, the Devil (Heb 2:14). For until Jesus came, Satan had succeeded in corrupting every man born into this world. Although Satan was never able to deceive Jesus to sin, it never occurred to him that Jesus might rise again from the dead, for had they known it, they would not have crucified Him. When Jesus died, Satan and his wicked angels thought they had won, but three days later they were stunned to discover that they had actually effected their own destruction. Their swords had been turned against themselves, which is what Ezekiel prophesied would befall Gog and his mighty army (Eze 38:21).
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. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The quote is based on the Masoretic text of Is 64:4, with a couple minor modifications that do not subtract from the main thought. The two categories of wisdom form the context for this quotation. The worldly, natural man will never comprehend the things of God, and even the Christ-seeker must be spiritually mature to understand the things of God. Even then he will know only in part, for now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face (1Cor 13:12).
The word for prepared (hetoimazo) is found in quite a few verses speaking of the heavenly reward (Mat 20:23; 25:34; John 14:2-3; Heb 11:16; Rev 21:2). The wonderful promise of this verse coupled with the beautiful scenes of the Revelation describing the future heavenly home of the redeemed are great motivations for the earth-weary Christian,
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit. This does not contradict the previous verse, but complements it. The New Testament believer is now privileged to know that God has prepared marvelous things in heaven for His people. Jesus Himself said, In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3). Paul could not describe his transport to Paradise (2Cor 12:2-4) and John could only describe his celestial visions by figurative earthly pictures. Yet that is a great jump from the reality of the Old Testament believers, who were given only a handful of written promises of the eternal bliss in Heaven. The Apostle concludes this chapter saying, We have the mind of Christ. This is a simple parallel to the present verse, for while the Christian is now able to understand the things of Christ, he does not understand all that Christ does.
The “earthly spiritualists” do not see in these verses a promise of the unspeakable blessings awaiting the Christian in heaven, but of the spiritual joys he will experience in this life. For, they point out, God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. To focus on heaven is selfish and distracting, they say; God wants us to be blessed and happy in this life. With this I disagree. The Scriptures do not promise the pilgrims of Christ’s kingdom a way of ease and spiritual highs, but a way of suffering, sorrow and spiritual battle against the powers of darkness. Yes, there are great spiritual blessings to be experienced in this life, but these will never reach the mind-surpassing blessings of the heavenly estate which God has prepared for the faithful.
The earthly-minded spiritualists advance their teaching with the selfish goal of generating feelings of excitement, emotionalism and superiority among the sheep in their fold. Unfortunately, that creates a “contest” in their churches. Who is able to testify more glowingly about new insights revealed by the Spirit? Who can top the latest “experience” or “leading” of the Spirit with an even more stunning testimony? Those that haven’t had these “experiences” are pressured into manufacturing some. The thought is that by praising God and testifying about Christ, these experiences will come. Meanwhile, the more honest among them are left behind, discouraged and wondering why they have not attained to the spiritual prowess of others.
This doctrine is a variation of the “God-will-bless-you-with-riches” error. Such teachers wrest verses like Jer 29:11 from their context to teach that God’s major aim is to bless people physically. The spiritualistic teachers are simply substituting temporal spiritual riches for material wealth. Yet the facts remain clear: the Scriptures do not teach constant immeasurable spiritual blessings for the saints in this life. Rather, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus WILL suffer persecution, their faith will be tested, they will be tempted with doubt, they will be bitterly tried, they will be pressured to recant Christ’s difficult doctrines. Earthly spiritualism is a dangerous ditch on the other side of the road from the ditch of formalism and legalism. It’s false promises lead to disillusion and discouragement. True, the Spirit has revealed new truths to His people, but the deep things of God remain beyond our limited comprehension. See verse 11.
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.
The thoughts and intents of a person’s heart are a secret only he knows. Yet, does he really even know? The heart is deceitful above all things…who can know it? (Jer 17:9). Likewise, the thoughts and intentions of God are known only to Him. However, when the Spirit comes to dwell in the believer, he is able to reveal God’s “mind,” which is to say, what is His will and also His thoughts and judgments concerning the actions and attitudes of man. This renewing of your mind is a key aspect of being born again, or spiritually regenerated (see notes for Rom 12:1-2). The more a person yields himself unto spiritual renewal, the more of the Spirit he will have and the more of God’s truth and wisdom he will be able to understand. This is the spiritual growth unto full maturity that Paul wishes for the Corinthians.
Comparing spiritual things with spiritual. This is another reference to growth in understanding and knowledge of the things of God. Notice the stark contrast with the way a person would grow in earthly knowledge. The righteous man grows from faith to faith (Rom 1:17). He studies spiritual things, comparing one truth to another to more fully know Christ (Php 3:10). He learns from the Holy Spirit the deep things of God (v10).
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. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
The natural man, or one who has not been born again, rejects the doctrines and laws of Christ because to him they are foolish. He is uninterested in them, doesn’t even contemplate them, because he lives according to the flesh instead of the Spirit (Rom 8:9-14). The Apostle has pointed out that no man can know the things of another person’s mind except it be told him (1Cor 2:11), so also can no man know the things of God except by the Spirit, who tells the spiritual man the very mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16). Meanwhile the natural man, lacking the Spirit, will neither receive nor appreciate spiritual truths.
The Spirit works in the hearts and minds of the natural man too, not in giving wisdom to judge all things, but in convicting him of sin for the purpose of drawing him to Christ (John 12:32). The invitation is open to whomsoever will (Luke 9:24; 2Pet 3:9; Acts 17:30), for God has designed Mankind with the necessary faculties to hear, evaluate and decide. And so the Spirit’s voice is constantly calling, at the third hour, the sixth, the ninth, even unto the eleventh hour of life (Mat 20:1-15).
The fleshly, natural man will not understand the deep things of God because they are spiritually discerned. The same word (anakrino) is translated judgeth in verse 15. He that has the Spirit of God within is capable of correctly trying the spirits (1John 4:1); he tests, proves and discerns their veracity or falsity. He is spiritually equipped to show and prove the sure judgment of God concerning all matters, whether spiritual or natural. By the help of the Spirit, he is able to investigate and understand all things, yet he himself cannot be understood by the natural man which has not the Spirit.
The all-important, ongoing work of the Spirit is to illuminate and instruct the minds of man in the things of God (see notes John 16:7-15). The more a man disciplines himself to be led by the Spirit the more he is able to discern all things. It’s not a one-and-done enlightenment but growing in grace and favor with God (see note 1Cor 1:5). Likewise, the more a person lives according to earthly values and fleshly desires, the weaker his ability to rightly discern all things. For this cause many are sickly among us, and some sleep.
Neither can he know them. Calvinists use this phrase to support their false doctrine that the natural man is so depraved of mind that he is literally incapable of comprehending anything of the Spirit, nor does he possess the capability of choosing to do good. Yet, that idea flies in the face of common sense – of course they choose to do good sometimes; they love their wives, sacrifice their lives for a good cause and live honestly. They have minds to read and analyze other books, can they really not understand the Bible? Of course they can! But to them it has no value. Its foolish (1Cor 1:18). They’re minds are set on fleshly things (Rom 8:5). They have made a rational choice to reject spiritual things.
God works in the lives and minds of natural men in many marvelous ways, subtly urging them to choose Him. There are many testimonies of persons brought to saving faith by simply reading the written Word. Read the story of Mantecas, a boy thief who one day happened to steal a Bible which changed the lives of the whole robber band. See Heb 4:12; Is 55:10-11.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
This is a partial quote from the Septuagint version of Isaiah 40:13 (Paul quotes the missing phrase in Rom 11:34). Only the Spirit knows the things of God (1Cor 2:11), but we have the Spirit! And He reveals to us the very mind (nous) of Christ. This concludes the matter under discussion. Christians have the Spirit of God revealing Christ’s will unto them (reread v12-16). They have new insight and understanding that others, lacking the Spirit, do not have. In degrees that vary according to spiritual maturity, every Christian has the mind of Christ; not the literal, whole mind of Christ, but surely the important things of the Gospel (Rom 10:8). Paul also wrote, Let this mind (phroneo) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Php 2:5). Compare the different shades of meaning of these two Greek words.
Who is able to comprehend the depths of God’s wisdom? (see Is 55:8-9). Job spoke wisely about “wonderful things,” but when God finally spoke he confessed, “I had heard of You, but now that my own eye and ear know You, I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:3-6).