1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:1

CAme not with excellency of speech]

testimonie of God] Gr. Tec. the mystery. That is, the Gospel which is the testimonie of God, that is, of Christ, to be God and the Authour of the New Testament and King of glory, Revelation 10:10. Or if we admit of Tecla’s Edition, When I shewed unto you the mysterie of God, that is, revealed unto you the secret of the Gospel, or the hidden things of God, Revelation 10:7.

1 Corinthians 2:2

determined not] Or, esteemed. or, made reckoning. That is, I had no purpose, or judged it not sit, and convenient for me to know; that is, to make profession of any other science or doctrine; or to teach you any other thing then the most necessary and onely saving knowledge of Christ crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:3

with] Or, among. or towards.

in weaknesse, and in fear] He setteth weaknesse against power of eloquence, and excellencie of words; and therefore joyned with it fear and trembling, which are companions of true modestie; no such fear and trembling as terrifieth the conscience, or argueth guilt, but such as are contrary to vanitie and pride.

1 Corinthians 2:4

was not with, &c.] 2 Peter 1:16.

enticing] Or, perswasible.

demonstration of the Spirit and of power] He preached so, that his doctrine by the Spirit wrought powerfully in the hearts of his hearers. Or by the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power, he meaneth the evident confirmation of his doctrine by the gifts of the holy Ghost; and the signs and wonders which he wrought among them.

1 Corinthians 2:5

faith should not stand] He yeeldeth here a reason why he concealed all art and eloquence, and used such plainnesse of speech in his preaching, that it was for their great profit, not onely that they might better understand him, and more fully comprehend the mysteries he taught: but that they might thereby know manifestly that the Gospel was from heaven. Therefore he privily rebuketh them, because that in seeking vain ostentation and shew of humane wisdome and eloquence they willingly deprived themselves of the greatest help of their faith, the plain evidence of the Spirit.

stand] Gr. be.

1 Corinthians 2:6

speak wisdome] Another argument taken from the nature of the thing, that is, the Gospel, which is true wisdome, and able to make men wise unto salvation; but known to them onely which are desirous of perfection; and unknown and unsavourie also to them which otherwise excell in the world, and are accounted the wisest men. Or by wisdome he meaneth the difficultest mysteries of the word, which he preached to those which were of riper yeers and knowledge: for otherwise he fed the weak and tender ones with milk, Chap. 3. 2. Hebrews 5:12. And thus Saint Augustine in his 96. & 97. Tract upon the words of the Apostle expoundeth this text. Apostoli eadem tradebant majoribus & parvulis, perfectis & imperfectis, sed ea cura adhibita ut pro sua cujusque capacitate ea propenerent parvulis quidem ut potum lactis quem libenter & facile sugant, majoribus autem ut solidum cibum, explicando rationes, or dinem, modum aliasque circumstantias corum quae credenda sunt, quod est sapientiam loqui inter perfectos.

among] Gr. in.

among them that are perfect] Those are called perfect here, not which had gotten perfection already, but such as tended to it, Phil. 3. 12. 15. So that perfect is set against weak. The Schools distinguish of perfectio viae & perfectio patriae: as also perfectio partium & perfectio graduum; a perfection of parts, and a perfection of degrees; the former may be attained to in this life, not the latter. The Apostle seemeth to borrow the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the Gentiles, who would admit none to their abstruser rites and ceremonies which they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, persons well prepared and purified for many yeers together. Some referre it to age, and make this construction of the words; We speak wisdome to those that are of ripe and perfect age, who are able to judge of it, those that are no more children in understanding, 1 Corinthians 14:20. nor unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse; Hebrews 5:13. but are become as a perfect man by the full knowledge of the mysteries of Christian religion, Ephesians 4:13.

not the wisdome of this world] Not a wisdome found out by humane reason, nor delivering rules of State policie, nor tending to worldly ends, nor apprehended or esteemed by the men of this world, but revealed by the Spirit of God which the world cannot receive, John 14:17.

nor the princes of this world] By the Princes of the world some understand the evill spirits, who rule in the aire, and are called elsewhere, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ephesians 6:12. rulers of the darknesse of this world, who were the Authours of the Heathens Policie and Religion. Others by Princes of this world understand the Kings of the earth and Emperours, who dictated their lawes out of the principles of humane wisdome. But the words seeme rather to carry a larger sense, and extend to all those that have great power and authoritie over others, who esteeme their State policie which they use in their Government the greatest and onely wisdome in the world.

that come to naught] Which are destroyed, and whose counsels are subverted by God, so that they are not able to uphold themselves with all their Plots and Policies; which is an undoubted argument that all their wisdome is but weak and vain, if it be compared with that of the Church of Christ which bringeth us to life and everlasting glory. The word in the Originall implies that their wisdome is cassated, and their policies frusTrated, whereof they can make no use nor advantage beyond this life; so that they with all their policie and power die and perish, Psalms 146:1.

1 Corinthians 2:7

wisdom of God in a mysterie] In a mysterie, that is, in a divine manner incomprehensible to carnall sense Or it is called a mysterie, because it was never found out by any humane wisdome, or learning, but lay hid till it pleased God to reveal it by his Prophets and Apostles.

which God ordained] Here he taketh away an objection: If it be so hard and hidden, how is it known? God, saith he, determined with himself from the beginning, that which his purpose was to bring forth at this time, out of the hidden treasurie of his secrets for the salvation of men.

to our glory] That is, to our glorification; to this end, that by the knowledge of this wisdome we might attain celestiall glory, and life eternall. For this is life eternall to know thee, &c. John 17:3.

1 Corinthians 2:8

Which none of the princes of this world knew] That is, none in comparison; for Nicodemus, and Sergius Paulus, and some other few knew it, but as the Apostle speaks, 1 Corinthians 1:26. Not many mightie, &c. were called to the knowledge of this heavenly wisdome. Here he taketh away another objection, How cometh it to passe that this wisdome was so rejected of men of highest authoritie, that they crucified Christ himself? Paul answereth; Because they knew not Christ to be such as he was: or none knew before it was revealed to them.

the Lord of glory] That is, The mightie God full of majestie and glory, Acts 7:2. The God of glory appeared, &c. and King of glory, Psalms 24:10. Neither is Christ onely styled the Lord or King of glory, because he is most glorious in himself, and cloathed with majestie and honour; but because by the power of his Divinitie, and vertue of his death and resurrection, he advanceth all the elect to eternall glory, glorifying both their bodies and souls.

1 Corinthians 2:9

Eye] Gr. what eye. Isaiah 64:4.

1 Corinthians 2:10

the deep things of] Gr. the depths of.

1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things, &c.] See 2 Peter 1:16.

comparing spirituall things with spirituall] The words admit of a double Translation and interpretation: if we read them comparing spirituall things with spirituall, then the meaning is, we apply spirituall tearms and manners of propounding and expressing to spirituall matters and subjects. If there be propounded, saith Oecumenius, any spirituall point, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: for example, if the question be whether Christ rose the third day, we bring a confirmation and illustration out of the Prophet Jonah. The word used in the Text properly signifieth to judge together, that is, by conferring Texts of holy Scripture, and setting spirituall things one against another, that like opposite glasses they may cast a mutuall light one upon the other; and we may make a more certaine judgement of them. But if we read them, judging spirituall things with spirituall persons, then the meaning is apparantly thus; that we are to conferre with the faithfull about points of faith; and communicate spirituall mysteries to spirituall men, not to those who are yet carnall and meer worldlings: for that were to cast pearl before swine: and this interpretation well agreeth with the vers. following; wherein the Apostle distinguisheth of the naturall man and spirituall man, and affirmeth that the naturall man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14

the naturall man] Gr. animale.〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Some conceive that they who first translated this passage, read not in their Copie or Edition as we do, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth naturall, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉animalis, or animale; howsoever the opposition to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or spirituall, sheweth that hereby the Apostle meaneth a man that hath no farther light of understanding, then that which he brought with him even from his mothers wombe: as Jude defineth men sensuall having not the Spirit, vers. 19. And in this sense Tertullian taketh the word in his Tractate cont. Psychicos, branding the right beleevers who distasted the Fasts of the Montanists (into whose heresie he was now fallen) with the name of Psychici, that is, carnall, or sensuall men.

spiritually discerned] That is, to be taken and understood in a spirituall and heavenly sense, to which his carnall reason cannot reach: Or, they are spiritually discerned, that is, by the vertue of the holy Ghost, with an eye annointed with the eye-salve of the Spirit, Revelation 3:18.

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is, &c.] See Proverbs 27:19.

judgeth all things] Or, discerneth. Gr. Tec. all those things. Understandeth and discerneth all things, which belong unto the worship of God and eternall life.

judged of no man] Or, discerned. That is, can be convinced of errour in judging spirituall things by no naturall and carnall man. For when the Prophets are judged by the Prophets, it is the Spirit that judgeth, and not the man; or men by their naturall reason: the wisdome of carnall men determineth nothing certainly, no not in their own affairs, much lesse can it discern strange, that is, spirituall things: but the Spirit of God wherewith spirituall men are endued, can be deceived by no means, whilest they follow that guide, and therefore can be reproved of no man.

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known, &c.] See Isaiah 40:13. Wisd. 9. 13. Romans 11:34.

may] Gr. shall.

instruct] Or, confirme. or, informe.