Finding Wisdom
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Key Verse: “Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” Selected Scripture: |
THE APOSTLE PAUL BEGINS the second chapter of this letter to the church at Corinth by acknowledging his own fleshly weaknesses and inadequacies in connection with his humble attempt to preach the marvelous Word of God. “When I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony [mystery, Marginal Translation] of God.” (I Cor. 2:1, New American Standard Version) The marginal translation (NASV) indicates that the word ‘mystery’ was used in some ancient manuscripts of the Bible. The word mystery is also found in the text of Rotherham’s Translation.
It is clear from his written message to the Corinthian church, that Paul was speaking about the hidden wisdom and purpose of God in selecting from among the fallen human family a spiritual class for his own. These brethren were among those who were being called, and this invitation and selection has been taking place throughout the present Gospel Age. However, it remains a mystery to the worldly wise who are able neither to understand nor to appreciate it.
The purpose of this mystery is the apostle’s general theme, as he points out, “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. But he that is spiritual judgeth [discerneth, MT] all things, yet he himself is judged [discerned, MT] of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”—vss. 14-16
Having declared in the opening verses the meaning and purpose of his ministry, Paul says, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”—vss. 7,8
The minds of the religious leaders and princes of power, both in Paul’s day as well as in our own, have been blinded by Satan to the present calling of the Lord’s people. We are overwhelmed by the wondrous love that God has shown toward us, and the Divine mystery concerning the bride of Christ. We praise him for the prospect of sharing in the soon-to-be-established kingdom of Christ that will ultimately bring blessings to all the families of the earth.
Paul further expresses, “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.” (vs. 9) The fleshly senses are totally unable to comprehend the full meaning of Paul’s words. The eyes, ears, and hearts of mankind cannot intelligently ponder the wondrous hope that dwells in the mind of the New Creature in Christ.
In these closing years of the Gospel Age, the consecrated followers of our Lord continue to hold fast to the glorious scene that is set before them. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”—vs. 10