“The Wisdom of God and those who know it.”
-Having sought to show that there was nothing of this world’s wisdom in his preaching, Paul goes on now in this second part of the chapter to show that his preaching did have true wisdom, even the wisdom of God. Nothing is more commonly believed than the notion that a literal belief in the Bible is the faith of a fool. In fact the very opposite is the case. That which man terms foolishness is the wisdom of God. The reason why this folly is perpetuated from generation to generation is explained in these verses by Paul. Two words hold the key to this portion. “HIDDEN” verse 7 and “REVEALED” verse 10.
I. THE GOSPEL IS CONCEALED TO THE MANY
It is hidden to the natural man, verse 14. The word hidden is used of a man burying treasure, Matt 25:18. It is completely out of sight.
1. The gospel is not of man. Here is why man cannot comprehend it. It does not flow from man’s nature or being. It has its origins with God, verses 6-7, 11. The gospel predates man. It was determined and decided upon before man was created, verse 7. How often the term new has been applied to the gospel. No philosophy is older than that which was ordained before the world. The evolutionist credits man with so much of this world's benefits and blessings. Man has never brought a blessing only a curse. What great things were done before man was created!
A. The Saviour appointed, I Pet 1:20, II Tim 1:9.
B. The Saviour slain, Rev 13:8.
C. The elect chosen, Eph 1:4, Rev 17:8 (no new names written down).
D. The glorification of the saints decreed, verse 7, Titus 1:2, Matt 25:34.2. It is for this reason that it is beyond the perception of man. Verses 9, 14. The things referred to in verse 9 are not future but the present blessings of the gospel. That is made clear in verse 10.
3. Even when faced with the wisdom of God in its clearest form, natural man cannot know it. Verse 8. The Lord Jesus, the Lord of Glory, was not known by men. Had they done so they would not have crucified Him. What sins ignorance begets! What sins knowledge would prevent!
II. THE GOSPEL IS REVEALED TO THE FEW
1. Those to whom it is revealed. Verse 10, unto us. Who are those referred to? Note the titles used in this passage.
(A) The ‘us’ refers to believers, 1:2, Col 1:26.
(B) they that love God, verse 9.
(C) those who are spiritual, verse 15, that is, born of the Spirit, no longer in a state of nature, verse 14.
(D) those who are perfect, that is, mature, I Cor 14:20 (men), Hebs 5:14 (full age), Phil 3:12.
2. The One Who is the Revealer. Verse 10. True Christians are those who are the subjects of the Holy Spirit’s ministrations. The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, Ephesians 1:17. He opens the eyes of the blind, Acts 26:18. The sinner must be born again before he can ‘see’!
3. Note carefully what the Spirit reveals. ‘Them’ verse 10. All that the Spirit reveals is confined to that which is contained in the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit’s method is set out in verse 13, ‘Comparing spiritual things with spiritual,’ I Corinthians 2:13. It is like putting together a jig-saw. Part is compared with part to see how they fit. Such was the Saviour's method, Luke 24:27, 32, 45.
4. The qualifications of the Holy Spirit. Verse 11. He is God and as the third person of the Trinity, was party to the ordaining of the grand plan of redemption and is therefore well qualified to teach us the ‘deep things of God.’
5. It is under the Spirit’s instructions that we obtain the mind of Christ. Verse 16. By revealing God’s eternal purpose in Christ to us we are conformed to Him, Phil 2:5. Oh! what transforming power there is in the gospel!