Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 CORINTHIANS 2
1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Application Notes
2:1-5 A brilliant scholar, Paul could have overwhelmed his listeners with intellectual arguments. Instead, he shared the simple message of Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his words. In sharing the gospel with others, we should follow Paul's example and keep our message simple and basic. The Holy Spirit will give power to our words and use them to bring glory to Jesus.
2:1 Here Paul is referring to his first visit to Corinth during his second missionary journey (AD 51), when he founded the church (Acts 18:1-28).
2:4 Paul's confidence was not in his keen intellect or speaking ability but in his knowledge that the Holy Spirit was helping and guiding him. Paul does not undermine the importance of study and preparation for preaching--he himself had a thorough education in the Scriptures. Effective preaching must combine studious preparation with reliance on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Don't use Paul's statement as an excuse for not studying or preparing.
2:7 "God's wisdom ... that has been hidden" is his offer of salvation to all people. Originally unknown to humanity, this plan became clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that he had power over sin and death and could offer us this power as well (also see 1 Peter 1:10-12 and the first note on Romans 16:25-27). God's plan, however, remains hidden to unbelievers because they either refuse to accept it, choose to ignore it, or simply haven't heard about it. Only God through the Holy Spirit can reveal it (1 Corinthians 2:10).
2:8 Jesus was misunderstood and rejected by those whom the world considered wise and great. He was put to death by the rulers in Palestine--the high priest, King Herod, Pilate, and the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus' rejection by these rulers had been predicted in Isaiah 53:3 and Zechariah 12:10-11.
2:9 We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1), and we will live with him forever. Until then, his Holy Spirit comforts, guides, and enlightens us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. Life does not end at death, because this world is not all there is. Unimaginable heavenly experiences await.
2:10 The "deep things of God" refers to God's unfathomable nature and his wonderful plan--Jesus' death and resurrection--and to the promise of salvation. revealed by the Holy Spirit only to those who believe that what God says is true. Those who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection and put their faith in him will know all they need to know to be saved. This knowledge, however, can't be grasped by even the wisest people unless they accept God's message and receive his Spirit. All who reject God's message are fooling themselves about what is real, no matter how wise the world thinks they are.
2:12-13 Everyone wants to be wise. Yet Paul taught the Corinthians that true wisdom and discernment require the believer to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Because Satan's greatest impact on us occurs through deception, we need the Holy Spirit's help. Spiritual discernment enables us to draw conclusions based on God's perspective, make wise decisions when it is difficult to perceive what to do, recognise the activities of God's Spirit, distinguish the correct and incorrect use of Scripture, and identify and expose false teachers. Constantly ask God, through His Holy Spirit, to give you his discernment as you serve him. Let that discernment guide you in your daily walk.
2:13 Paul was not preaching and teaching his own opinions and impressions. The Holy Spirit was giving him words. Because of Paul's source, his words were authoritative. Under inspiration, he was speaking the very thoughts of God. (For more on inspiration, see 2 Timothy 3:16.)
2:14-15 Non-Christians cannot truly understand God, and they cannot grasp the concept that God's Spirit lives in believers. Don't expect most people to approve of or understand your decision to follow Christ. It all seems so silly to them. Just as a tone-deaf person cannot appreciate fine music, those who reject Christ cannot understand God's Spirit. With the lines of communication broken, they won't be able to hear what God is saying to them.
We must not remain silent, however, using others· difficulty in understanding as an excuse. We are still one of God's communication channels. We must be alert to opportunities to share his message. Another person's question may be evidence that God's Spirit is drawing that person to the point of decision. How would you respond today if someone asked you about your faith?
2:15-16 No one can know the Lord's thoughts (Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34), but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have insight into one of God's plans, thoughts, and actions--they, in fact, have "the mind of Christ" Through the Holy Spirit, we can begin to know God' thoughts, talk with him, and expect his answers to our prayers. Are you spending enough time with Christ to have his very mind in you? An intimate relationship with Christ comes only from spending time consistently in his presence and in His Word. (For more on the mind of Christ, see Philippians 2:5-18.)
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)