Context.
Wisdom from the Spirit
1Co 2:6 But we speak wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to naught.
1Co 2:7 But we speak in a mystery, the wisdom of God having been hidden, which God foreordained before the ages for our glory,
1Co 2:8 which none of the rulers of this age has understood. For if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1Co 2:9 But as it has been written: âWhat no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those loving Him.â
1Co 2:10 For God has revealed it to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1Co 2:11 For who among men knows the things of the man, except the spirit of the man within him? So also, no one knows the things of God, except the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, that we may know the things having been granted to us by God,
1Co 2:13 which also we speak, not in words taught of human wisdom, but in those taught of the Spirit, communicating spiritual things by spiritual means.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because spiritually they are discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, but he himself is judged by no one.
1Co 2:16 âFor who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct Him?â But we have the mind of Christ.
J.
That verse is often quoted to mean that Godâs promises are so mysterious we canât really know or experience them in this lifeâbut when you read it in context, Paul is actually saying almost the opposite.
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul is contrasting human wisdom with what God reveals by His Spirit. He quotes that line in verse 9, but then immediately explains in verse 10, âBut God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.â So the point isnât that Godâs purposes are forever hidden from believers. The point is that natural human senses and reasoning canât discover them on their ownâbut God does make them known through the Spirit.
In other words, without Godâs revelation, no eye can see them, no ear can hear them, and no heart can imagine them. But through the Holy Spirit, believers are brought into an understanding and experience of what God has prepared. Paul is emphasizing spiritual revelation over human ability.
Itâs a beautiful reminder that the Christian life isnât just about information or intellectâitâs about God opening our eyes and hearts to realities we could never grasp on our own. And it also encourages us that God isnât withholding truth from those who love Him; He delights in revealing His plans and blessings to His people through His Spirit.
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Iâm glad Johann posted the contex and I have to agree with @The_Omega on this one
I have pretty much incorporated this into my prayers, lead, and private. Why?
âHear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not." Jeremiah 5:21
Jesus explained that this is why He spoke to people in parables.
âTo you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
âYou will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
For this peopleâs heart has grown dull, and with their ears, they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.â
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:11-17
Hearing God is not a natural state of man. We are not able to hear anything that is of God if we are not of God. It is impossible. Only by God calling us out, giving us âEyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to understand,â can we even hear the words that are spoken.
This is why some people seem to fail to understand you when you try to share the Word with them. I remember thinking to myself a few times, how can that person not understand these simple things Iâm trying to share? It is not because they are stupid. It is because they are not physically capable of hearing what you are saying. It would be like someone coming to me and speaking Japanese to me. I will not understand what they are saying. Moreover, I will not even understand the words themselves. Why? Iâm not Japanese.
Hope this helps.
Peter
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