The Mind of Christ–1 Corinthians 2.6-16

Christians Predestined to Receive God’s Wisdom

6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8the wisdom 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;

Paul is shifting his implied definition away from worldly wisdom in order to talk about Godly wisdom. Notice that he says “among those who are mature” (v. 2.6). We know this means the mature in Christ versus the immature in Christ (aka spiritual vs. carnal which we will talk about in detail in further sections.) because the letter was addressed to the saints in Corinth 1st and 2nd to the saints in the universal church, not specifically to the Corinthian church. The word ‘saint’ comes from the Latin word ‘sanctus’ which means holy and consecrated, the later referring to the setting apart for a further purpose; in the case of Christians that purpose is eternal fellowship with God. Paul is not implying that someone without a thorough understanding of God’s wisdom is not saved, since the letter was not written to the unsaved, simply that they are not mature in their faith.

Paul specifically singles out the “rulers” (v. 2.6). God’s wisdom was not understood by the rulers of the age (nor was it of the wise, noble or mighty—v. 1.20) otherwise they would not have crucified Jesus (v. 8). Instead, God’s wisdom is held as a mystery; more literally a secret or a hidden purpose. It’s important to define mystery this way, because God in His omnipotence has infinite understanding of everything. He isn’t making this up as He goes along. God has a purpose which He has kept secret from the world; but notice that Paul knows about it as do others—“we”—and they talk about these things with the mature Christians (v. 6). There is a way to attain God’s wisdom.

The last thing to note about this passage is that “God predestined” wisdom to come upon followers of Jesus Christ “before the ages to our glory” (v. 7). To God the end was in site at the moment of creation. It was God’s plan from before creation was spoke into existence that the followers of Christ would be glorified with him in the end.

How to Receive God’s Wisdom

9but just as it is written,
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
10For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

The spirit of man knows all things about man. This is because man was created in the image of God (Gen 1.26). God’s Spirit also knows “the depths of God” (v. 2.10). Since we have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, within us, we can know the wisdom of God because God reveals wisdom to us through His Spirit (v. 2.10).

Notice verse 9. This verse tells exactly what the mystery or secret is, that God is keeping from mankind. It is NOT the things which we have seen or heard, or have entered into our hearts (cardia), so it is not anything that is of this world. Where I believe the grace and mercy of God can be found in the world through general revelation, the depths of God’s plan is reserved, only to be revealed to those who faithfully seek it through the Spirit of God. What it IS, is “All that God has prepared for those who love Him” (v. 2.9); all, probably not just referring to our eternity, but to our life on earth as well. So, it is an understanding of God’s plan. Put more simplistically, the wisdom of God is the ability to discern through the Spirit what God’s will is.

Natural vs. Spiritual

12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

As men, we are born as sinners, spiritually disconnected from God. We have no ability to consult the Spirit of God, so everything we do is based on human wisdom. This means that we form habits sensually (according to our senses). This is worldly wisdom. It is based ultimately on what is best for the individual; following the will of ‘me’.

When we choose to follow Christ, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and are now connected to God spiritually. We have the ability to act according to God’s wisdom. But, in many cases we don’t. This is because we have formed a habit of living according to worldly wisdom. Our flesh has been trained to please itself, to sin. This is the natural or carnal believer; one who follows their own will, not the will of God.

In order to become spiritual as believers so that we can act in accordance with the wisdom of God, we must overcome the habits of acting according to the flesh, which is really acting according to our own will. Every sin is an undeveloped righteous habit (J. Owen, paraphrased). In order to overcome our own will and live according to God’s will, we must replace the habits of the natural man with righteous habits, or spiritually appraised habits.

Make note here that the natural man does not understand righteous habits because they are spiritually appraised. It’s almost a paradox. The natural man simply cannot understand of his own accord how to live a righteous life. Counsel is needed.

The Mind of Christ

15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. [On one hand, the spiritual man discerns all things, but on the other hand he is discerned by no one (more literal translation).] 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

The man who is completely spiritual has overcome the habits of the flesh and as a result discerns or appraises all things according to the Spirit. It says that the spiritual man is “appraised by no one” (v. 2.15). This means that it is not possible for the world, natural men, to discern according to the spirit. Never will the world be capable of judging the righteousness of spiritual men. They certainly do try, but they fall short of God’s wisdom in this effort. Verse 16: Who are they to tell the Lord what righteousness looks like? But we, as spiritually discerning, have the mind of Christ. Mind is better translated as understanding or discernment. We have the ability to live according to God’s standard because of His Spirit within us. MacArthur writes,

The Doctrine of Illumination does not mean that we can know and understand everything, that we do not need human teachers, or that study is not hard work. It does mean that Scripture can be understood by every Christian who is diligent and obedient.

It is not simply through faith that we can attain God’s wisdom, but by abandoning the habits of the flesh in exchange for righteous habits, all Christians have the ability to discern according to God’s infinite wisdom. To recap, this wisdom is the ability to act in accordance with God’s will, which is both the do’s and the don’ts.