1 Corinthians 2
DortI The Apostle shows by his own example, how the Gospel of Christ must be set forth, namely not with humane wisdom or eloquence, but in simplicity, and spiritual power. 6 Declares further what heavenly wisdome is contained therein, 10 and how the same is revealed by Gods sprit and not by humane reason. 13. Relates again with what good words it must be uttered, 14 and how it is discerned and judged, not by the natural, but by the spiritual man.
1. AND I brethren when I come unto you, come not with excellency words [Gr. Excellency of word or speech i.e. a garnished manner of speaking, by which I sought to seem wise above others, or to excel: or to persuade you. See 1 Cor. 4.19.] or of wisdome, publishing unto you the testimony of God. [that is, the Gospel which is revealed to us by God, and testifies of the will of God for our salvation 1 Cor. 16.]
2. For I purposed not [Gr. Judged; for although the Apostle was expert in many other things, yet nevertheless he would not hold forth nothing but that which was necessary to their salvation] to know anything among you, [that is, to speak of any other knowledge with you] save Jesus Christ and crucified. [that is, who by his death, and resurrection following, redeemed us from our sins, and made us partakers of everlasting salvation, Romans 4:25. and chapter 10.9,10.]
3. And I was with you in weakness [These things may be understood either of the low estate wherein the apostle kept himself when he was at Corinth, that not he, but only his doctrine might be in esteem with them, contrary to the haughtiness of those who occasioned these schisms, or of the circumspection and jealousy, which he used in propounding the doctrine of salvation; that he might mingle nothing human therewith, that the power of it might be ascribed, not to his own wisdome or eloquence, but only to the nature of the doctrine which he preached, and the cooperation of the spirit of God: which best agrees with that which follows] and in fer, and in much trembling.
4. And my speech and my preaching was not in moving words of humane wisdome, in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. [That is, demonstration of the spiritual power which was joined with his word, outwardly by miracles, and inwardly by the operation of the Holy Ghost, 2 Cor. 3.3.]
5. That your faith should not be [That is, should not have its cause or foundation] in the wisdome of men [that is, in speeches or words which humane wisdome inventeth] but in the power of God. [that is, in the divinity of the doctrine, witnessed to our hearts by the power of the Spirit of God, Acts 16:14.]
6. And we speak wisdome [That is, the difficulties and profoundest mysteries of Gods word: as ver.7. Otherwise he fed the weak and tender with milk. See 1 Cor. 3.2 Hebrews 5:12.] amongst the perfect: [that is, those that have made more progress in the matters of faith, and now need no more to be instructed in the first principles. See Romans 14:1,2. and 15.1. Philippians 3:15. Hebrews 5:14. These are called perfect in comparison of others: otherwise no man is here perfect in knowledge as long as he liveth, 1 Cor 13.9.] yet a wisdome not of this world, [that is, which is invented and greatly esteemed by humane reason] nor of the Rulers of this world [that is, of the wise and mighty as ver. 8.] which come naught: [namely, with all their wisdome and might, forasmuch as it is of no use out of this world.]
7. But we speak the wisdome of God [that is, which God hath revealed to us for our salvation] (consisting) in a mystery, [so the Apostle calls the doctrine of the Gospel, because the same was never found out by any humane wisdome, but was hidden from them, until God revealed it by his Prophets and Apostles] which was covered, which [namely, wisdome of God: whereby is understood the person of Christ, who 1 Cor. 1 24. is also called the wisdome of God: or the mysteries of our salvation purposed by God in Christ, and afterwards revealed in the Gospel unto our glory, Luke 2:32. Both well agree with that which follows] God ordained unto our glory, before the world was. [Gr. Before the ages.]
8. Which no man of the Princes of this world knew, [Namely, by their ion natural reason or understanding, how great and how acute soever it was. Such as were Herod, Pilat, Cajaphas, and other mighty ones in this world, as also of the Philosophers, Scribes, and such like. Otherwise Abraham also by Gods Spirit and revelation saw this day, John 8:56. and David rejoiced therein, Psalms 16:9. with other holy Kings and Prophets Luke 10:24. and also some of the Rulers of the Jews, as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea knew him; but these were few, and consented not unto his death, Luke 23:51. See the like phrase, John 3:32.] For if they had known them they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [namely, who is the chief point of this wisdome of God. So Christ is called in respect of his divine nature, Psalms 24:7. Acts7.2. who was crucified according to his humane nature. See the like phrase John 3:13. Acts 3:15. and 20.28.]
9. But as it is written, that which the eye hath not seen, and arte not heard, and is not ascended into the hearts of men, [These words the Apostle interposeth for further explication of the former words of the Prophet, to that the mysteries of the Gospel, and the greatness of the glory which God hath prepared for his faithful ones hereafter, are so excellent, that not only no eye nor no ear, but even no understanding was able of it self to think of them, or to understand them. See 1 Pet. 1.ver.10,11,12.] that which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10. But god hath revealed (it) to us [Namely, who love God. For that the Apostle speaks not only of the Apostle, but also of them that believe in Christ through their word, appears from what follows] by his spirit [namely, which by word, and with the word is powerful in us. See 2 Cor. 3.8. 1 john 2.27.] for the spirit seachedth all things, [this the Apostle saith, not as if the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us, were ignorant of any divine thing; which he must seek to know, but because the deepest things of God are clearly known to him, as being the same God with Father and with the Son: as God is said to search and reins, because there are naked and known before him, Romans 8:27.] Revel. 2.23.] even the depths of God. [that is, the most secret counsel of God. See Isaiah 40:13.]
11. For who of men knoweth that which is of man, save the Spirit of man which is of him? [That is, the reasonable soul and understanding of man knoweth what is in them. See 1 John 3:20.] even so also no man [namely, among the creatures. For the Son knoweth the Father, and the Father the Son, Matthew 11:27. and here also the Holy Ghost, as one only God with the Father and the Son, Romans 8:27.] knoweth that which is of God, save the Spirit of God.
12. But we have not received the Spirit of the world [That is, which teacheth worldly things, and hath delight, or placeth its happiness in worldly things] but the Spirit which is of God: [that is, which proceeds from God, and is promised and given to his children, John 14:16. Romans 8:15.] that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God. [namely, for our comfort and salvation, i.e. Christ and his benefits, Romans 8:32. Colossians 2:9,10.]
13. Which we also speak, not with words which humane wisdom teacheth, but with (words) [Or, reasons, motives] which the Holy Ghost teacheth, [namely, in his divine inspiration and writings, not decked up with humane eloquence, but powerfully in its spiritual simplicity] conjoining [or, comparing Gr. judging together, i.e. as the doctrine is spiritual, so we propound it also, not with worldly, but with spiritual words] spiritual things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man [Gr. The animal man i.e. he that hath no other or higher wisdom, then which the light of nature and humane reason teacheth him. See Hud. Ver.19.] comprehendeth not the things which are of the Spirit of God. [namely, to receive the same, and to apply them to himself for salvation, Romans 8:5. See an example, Acts 17:18. and chap.25.ver.19.] For they are foolishness unto him, [See 1 Cor. 1.ver.21.22,23.] and he cannot understand them, [namely, but by the grace and power of Gods Spirit, which enlightens the understanding and opens the heart, Acts 16:14.] because they are spiritually distinguished. [Gr. Judged, i.e. with judgment distinguished from humane and worldly doctrines.]
15. But the spiritual (man) [That is, he that is enlightened and regenerated by the Spirit of God] distinguished indeed all things, [namely, necessary to salvation. For even believers sometimes err indeed in some things, but which are not needful to humane salvation: or when they do not sufficiently stir up this gift of discerning by diligence and prayer. See John 10:4.27. 1 Thes. 5.21. 1 John 4:1.] but he himself is distinguished [or, judged, i.e. with judgment discerned as ver. 14.] of no man. [namely, who is not regenerate or spiritual: otherwise the Spirit of Prophets must also be subject to the Prophets, 1 Cor. 14.29, 32.]
16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord [Or, the spirit of the Lord, as Isaiah 40:13. where these words are, is expressed, i.e. the sense or the meaning of the Spirit of the Lord, Romans 8:27.] who should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. [that is, the meaning of Christ is made known to us by his word and by his Spirit, as is declared before ver. 10,12.]