Not All Wisdom Is Wise

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

·        v. 1-2 It seems that the eloquent Apollos had an unintentional effect on the Corinthians, who lived in a city already filled with philosophers; they were impressed more by the oratorical skills of dynamic ministries than by the Spirit!  Paul’s delivery was lacking, but that didn’t matter because he was exalting Christ.  His content certainly was not lacking in any way (2 Corinthians 10:10).  Paul was a thinker and a great debater (Acts 19:8-10, 26:24-29).  The Apostle Peter even comments on it (2 Peter 3:15-16).

·        2 Cor. 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

·        2 Pet. 3:15-16   And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

·        v. 3 Paul’s weakness forced him to depend on the Lord (fear = anxious conscientiousness)

·        v. 4-5 “enticing” = “persuasive”  /  “demonstration” = “a sudden lifting of a veil in the hearer’s understanding, a conviction mastering the hearer by the force of moral evidence” – this is not ‘demonstration’ of miracles, but the ‘proof’ of a changed life and touched heart WHY?  SO OUR FAITH WOULD BE IN GOD RATHER THAN IN MEN’S WISDOM!

·        v. 6-7       Unbelievers or immature believers may think the principles of faith are foolish, but that          is merely because they do not have spiritual wisdom!  (“perfect” = “spiritually mature”)  This mystery (“secret”) was concealed in the OT, but revealed to the NT church.

·        v. 8  This refers to human rulers, but also demonic spirits who orchestrated Jesus’ death. SATAN DOES NOT KNOW, AND CANNOT INFLUENCE YOUR FUTURE – HE CAN ONLY TOUCH YOUR LIFE IF GOD – OR YOU! – GIVE HIM PERMISSION.

·        v. 9-10 QUOTES ISAIAH 64:4, which is the captive remnant praying to God for deliverance. Paul says God HATH (past tense) revealed these things to the church!

·        Isa. 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

·        v. 11  Just as there are things about you that only your own spirit knows, there are things about God that you CANNOT know until you become intimate with His Spirit!

·        v. 12-13  The Spirit of God shares with us His wisdom; Paul said he taught this wisdom to others by “explaining spiritual things in spiritual language”

·        v. 14 “natural” = “the unregenerated nature at its best, the unspiritual man”

·        WISDOM            Job 11:6 6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is!  Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.  (NIV = for true wisdom has two sides)  There is a surface side of wisdom that reaches only to the mind (this can apply even to “Christian” knowledge!), but there is a deeper wisdom that penetrates to the heart.

·        v. 15 As a believer walking in the Spirit, you are entitled to judge (“appraise”) all things, but you are not rightfully subject to the opinions of unbelievers – or carnal Christians!  They do not understand us, but we understand them, for we were once in their shoes!

·        v. 16  QUOTES ISAIAH 40:13, to imply that “no one can teach God!”  If we will simply live in submission to the Mind of Christ (His Spirit), then we have the ultimate wisdom!

·        Isa. 40:13  Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

·        2 Cor. 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.  It is not necessary for you to “dominate” someone else’s experience – they have the Spirit of God!