Session 3 God's Will and the Holy Spirit
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Mature wisdom is revealed wisdom.
Paul accused the Corinthians of being immature and still incapable of understanding the deeper spiritual truths. Their party spirit was itself evidence of their immaturity and lack of God’s Spirit.
What a put-down of the arrogant Corinthians who were claiming to have been perfected in the Spirit!
Great verse that outlines Paul’s maturity in the Spirit:
Great verse that outlines Paul’s maturity in the Spirit:
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Start with
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
What type of maturity do you think Paul is speaking of in verse 6?
Paul had spiritual maturity in mind. The contrast is between Christian wisdom and the wisdom of the world. Christian wisdom is the gospel, while the so-called wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age is the worldviews, sophistry, and belief systems which fail to recognize the gospel.
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
So what do we know about the Corinthian church? Worldly
In many ways the Corinthian church models our modern day here in the U.S.
This verse reinforces the idea of 1 Corinthians 1:24–25 that God’s wisdom far surpasses the world’s wisdom. The metaphor of maturity points out that the world’s wisdom is so defective that it is similar to the simplistic thoughts of children (cf. 13:11). By this argument, Paul let the Corinthian church know that their pursuit of human wisdom made them look like immature children who did not recognize what truth and wisdom were. By their boasting and dividing according to the folly of the world, they lived and thought like immature children.
Paul let the Corinthian church know that their pursuit of human wisdom made them look like immature children who did not recognize what truth and wisdom were. By their boasting and dividing according to the folly of the world, they lived and thought like immature children.
The Greek word used here, teleios, refers to those who understand and conform to the message of Jesus Christ. Paul also may be applying the term ironically to the Corinthian believers, who considered themselves to be highly spiritual when in fact they were immature in the faith (compare 3:1–2).
Verse 7: Why do you God keeps some knowledge hidden from us?
The particular age that Paul refers to is the time between Christ’s ascension and His return—the time that people are living in now (compare 2 Cor 4:4; Gal 1:4). Paul understands Jesus’ work to have changed the very nature of creation and thus time itself. For him, time is about what will happen between now and when Christ returns (which he considers the end of time as we know it).
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
The Greek word used here, archōn, can refer either to humans or to divine beings. This term may refer to the Jewish and Roman officials who were involved in the crucifixion of Christ. It also could refer to evil spiritual entities (compare John 12:31; 14:30). Paul emphasizes that everything that these leaders have and do is temporal, whereas Christ is eternal.
The wisdom of Christ’s crucifixion was first revealed when Jesus ministered on the earth, but it had been hidden in the secret counsels of God before time began.
Within the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul intends for this statement to address the Corinthians’ tendency to favor people who have special speaking abilities. Paul emphasizes that an ability does not make someone what they are; instead, everything should focus on Christ—the only one worth favoring. The Corinthians would have regarded this as dichotomous and countercultural (see note 1 Cor 1:22, and see note on 1:27).
2:7. Paul first described the wisdom of the gospel as God’s secret wisdom … that has been hidden. The wisdom of Christ’s crucifixion was first revealed when Jesus ministered on the earth, but it had been hidden in the secret counsels of God before time began. This eternal wisdom was also destined for our glory, unlike the wisdom of this age which is earthly, temporal, and brings destruction. The wisdom of the gospel is divine, eternal; and it brings the glory of eternal life to those who believe.
The Corinthians needed to repent of their human wisdom and to return to the pure gospel. They could only receive glory through Christ.
2:7 Meaning, it is not plain to the person looking for understanding of the world, themselves, and others. Rather, it can be understood only through revelation from God’s Spirit.
2:8. To contrast earthly and divine wisdom even further, Paul noted that none of the powerful of the world (the rulers of this age), such as Pilate and Herod (Acts 4:27–28), understood God’s true wisdom. On the surface it may have seemed that earth’s leaders had discovered the wisdom of God. They were successful in earthly terms. Yet, their wisdom led them to crucify the Lord of glory. Their antagonism toward Christ made it clear that they had no wisdom at all. By pointing out this folly, the apostle showed that the pretense of human wisdom has no place in the Christian community.
Paul dealt the Corinthians’ pride a severe blow by telling them that their pursuit of human wisdom placed them in the same company as the people who crucified the Lord they claimed to worship. Further, by mentioning that Christ is the Lord of glory, who possesses glory himself and is able to give it to those who believe in him, Paul made sure the Corinthians realized that the glory they sought could never come through association with particular church leaders. The Corinthians needed to repent of their human wisdom and to return to the pure gospel. They could only receive glory through Christ.
Who do you believe to be the rulers of the present age in verse 8?
2:8 this age. Jewish people contrasted this ruined age with the eternal age to come. This age’s rulers had human power that would pass away (1:27–28); God’s wisdom in the cross is eternal (1:18–25). Lord of glory. Jewish sources normally reserved this title for God; “Lord of glory” can also be translated idiomatically as “glorious Lord.”
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Herod, Pilate and Caiaphas. Those three mentioned were either dead or out of power at this epistle's writing, making the vs. 6 present tense who are doomed to pass away difficult to attribute to them.
A few verses where demons are called rulers or princes: , , , ,
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Move to
9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Paul here contrasted the belief that the rulers of this world understood wisdom with the reality that they did not understand. To draw out this contrast, he alluded to , and added elements from ; and .
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
15 so shall he sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths because of him,
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
Paul uses Isaiah 64:4 to assert that people cannot understand the things of God through human faculties (compare Isa 52:15; 65:17); they must rely on the Spirit graciously given to believers by God (1 Cor 2:10).
17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
15 so shall he sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths because of him,
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
Emphasizes that God grants insight regarding His work to those who follow Him and do His will.
16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the Lord, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.
2:9–10a. Paul here contrasted the belief that the rulers of this world understood wisdom with the reality that they did not understand. To draw out this contrast, he alluded to , and added elements from ; and .
He pointed out how the prophets occasionally indicated that God’s wise plan remained hidden from all but those who loved him. The ordinary ways of understanding (eye, ear, mind) cannot perceive the mysteries of God.
The rulers of the world may be adept at these means of perception, but these senses cannot discern the wisdom of God. God must reveal wisdom in a special way.
To drive home his main point, Paul applied the prophetic word directly to the Corinthians. Although the world cannot perceive the wisdom of God, God has revealed it. It has come in a supernatural way directly from God. Moreover, this word came not to the world but to us—to Paul and other followers of Christ.
What Paul was saying here:
What Paul was saying here:
It was foolish for the Corinthian believers to turn to human insight when they had discovered the ways of Christ through divine revelation by his Spirit.
2:10 God has shown the hidden wisdom of God to those who follow Christ (v. 7). Paul argues that people desiring to know more or have greater wisdom should seek to walk more closely with Christ, as God reveals His eternal work to people this way.
Nothing is hidden from the Spirit of God; he shares in the divine attribute of omniscience.
So what are ways we can, as humans, learn to discern the will of the Spirit?
None of this insight comes through the human wisdom of which the Corinthians boasted and over which they divided, so their divisions and quarrels were unjustified.
2:10b. Paul began with a bold statement, proclaiming that the Spirit searches not only all things of this world, but also fathoms the deep things of God. Nothing is hidden from the Spirit of God; he shares in the divine attribute of omniscience. Although an infinite number of things about God will always remain hidden from the human mind, even these hidden thoughts of God are evident to the Holy Spirit. For this reason, he is the reliable source of all human insight into the wisdom of God. None of this insight comes through the human wisdom of which the Corinthians boasted and over which they divided, so their divisions and quarrels were unjustified.
Although an infinite number of things about God will always remain hidden from the human mind, even these hidden thoughts of God are evident to the Holy Spirit. For this reason, he is the reliable source of all human insight into the wisdom of God. None of this insight comes through the human wisdom of which the Corinthians boasted and over which they divided, so their divisions and quarrels were unjustified.
How does Paul use the analogy in v. 11 to rebuke the Corinthians?
2:11 no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Jewish thinkers in this period recognized that people could understand God’s plans only by the gift of his wisdom and his Spirit (cf. Wisdom of Solomon 9:17; see note on 1Co 2:16).
Paul drew upon an analogy between the human spirit and the Holy Spirit. He began by acknowledging that many things about a person’s thoughts remain hidden to other people. Yet, the person’s own spirit knows these thoughts. No one can get inside the minds of other people as deeply as they can understand themselves.
The comparison with the Holy Spirit is evident. We are not able to peer into the mind of God from the outside by human wisdom. In this sense, no human knows the thoughts of God.
At the same time, however, the Spirit of God knows and can reveal the wisdom of God to us.
You cannot discern the will of God apart from God.
Finish with
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
No mere earthly wisdom brought the Corinthians to the gospel of Christ. The Spirit who is from God did this for them. The Spirit of God comes upon all who believe in Christ () and reveals to them the mind of God.
2:12. The importance of Paul’s analogy becomes clear in his affirmation that he and the Corinthian believers had not come to Christ under the influence of the spirit of the world. No mere earthly wisdom brought the Corinthians to the gospel of Christ. The Spirit who is from God did this for them. The Spirit of God comes upon all who believe in Christ (Rom. 8:9) and reveals to them the mind of God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Christians cannot understand the wonder of all they have received from God by observing things with their natural eyes. God freely gives the salvation that culminates in their blessings with Christ in the new heavens and new earth. The Holy Spirit enables them to see the wonder of this gift as well as the wisdom that leads to it.
People without the Spirit are not able to accept the things that come from the Spirit. Only those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit can receive Christian instruction with open hearts.
2:12 God’s Spirit is not like the spirit of people or anything that can be comprehended, computed, or reasoned in this world (compare 1:20; 2:6). While God’s work is eternal, everything of this world is temporal—including current rulers and evil spiritual beings.
This expression also describes the Spirit’s ability to provide believers with gifts (compare chs. 12; John 6:45; 14:26; 1 John 2:27).
Refers to God’s gracious gift of salvation, which believers can comprehend because of the Spirit (compare Rom 6:23). It therefore describes the content of God’s revealed wisdom and thus refers to Christ Himself (see note on 1 Cor 1:24).
The Holy Spirit gives a revelation that is very special and cannot be discerned or communicated by ordinary means.
The word spiritual appears frequently in this context. It is important to remember that Paul did not use the term spiritual as contemporary English often does. Paul used this word to indicate that something or someone “has to do with the Holy Spirit.” In this passage he pointed out that the Christian gospel which he had brought to the Corinthians was from the Holy Spirit and taught by the Holy Spirit alone. It could not be learned or communicated by human wisdom, as the Corinthians would have preferred.
The Christian message appears to be foolishness to people without the Spirit. They cannot understand the teachings of the Spirit.
2:13 Without God’s help through the Spirit (v. 12), people lack the ability to understand His plans or work (i.e., God’s plan of salvation; compare note on 1:24).
Paul is likely referring to the gift of prophecy, which involves speaking on behalf of God (see note on 12:3; and note on 12:10; compare 14:1).
The Spirit (pneuma) is the one who truly explains and reveals the ways of God to people—believers are just messengers and instruments of the Spirit’s message.
2:14. The Spirit’s role in bringing the message of the gospel raised an important issue for Paul. People without the Spirit are not able to accept the things that come from the Spirit. Only those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit can receive Christian instruction with open hearts. The Christian message appears to be foolishness to people without the Spirit. They cannot understand the teachings of the Spirit.
general revelation/special revelation reminder
general revelation/special revelation reminder
Paul himself occasionally affirmed that unbelievers understand some truths ().
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.
Indeed, Paul himself occasionally affirmed that unbelievers understand some truths (Rom. 2:14–15).
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Paul meant that unbelievers cannot lay hold of or deeply appropriate the Christian message.
The teachings of the Spirit are foolish and cannot be understood because they are spiritually discerned.
Application to the Corinthians
Application to the Corinthians
They had the Spirit in their lives because they were believers, but they still had to evaluate whether or not they depended on the Spirit. They had to reassess their own habit of turning from the Spirit to the false wisdom of the world.
Paul laid out this perspective on unbelievers to prepare his Corinthian readers for a point he was about to make. They had the Spirit in their lives because they were believers, but they still had to evaluate whether or not they depended on the Spirit. They had to reassess their own habit of turning from the Spirit to the false wisdom of the world.
2:14 without the Spirit. The Greek term translated thus here (the context does imply the NIV’s interpretation) might reflect a Diaspora Jewish interpretation of Ge 2:7 (see discussion at 1Co 15:44–46, where the NIV translates the same term “natural”).
2:14 Refers to a person who cannot grasp the things of God.
2:15. In contrast to unspiritual people, the spiritual man is able to make proper judgments. Spiritual people are those under the influence of the Holy Spirit’s power. They can see matters rightly.
What are evidences in our own lives that we are wise in the Spirit?
Paul said that spiritual people make judgments about all things (all kinds of things). The insight afforded by the Spirit of God equips spiritual people with wisdom in all areas of life.
Paul knew the Corinthians were spiritual in the sense that they believed the gospel and had the Holy Spirit. But he would soon criticize them for acting as if these things were not true (3:1). Their ability to have wisdom depended upon submission to the Holy Spirit’s revelation. By this argument, Paul prepared to disarm those who would resist correction, and defended his own authority to speak to their problems. He also destroyed the foundation for the arguments of those who caused divisions and quarrels, those who prized human wisdom. Their preference for human wisdom over God’s wisdom disqualified them from judging rightly.
Those taught by the Spirit do not follow their own faulty reasoning; they learn from the Spirit, who judges all human wisdom.
Additionally, Paul might be referring to the spiritual gift of distinguishing between spirits (see note on 12:10), or the gift of wisdom (see note on 12:8). The gift of distinguishing between spirits fits contextually because of Paul’s earlier comments about rulers of this age and the spirit of this world (see note on v. 6; and note on v. 12). This spiritual gift would have been vital to the success of the Corinthian church because of their tendency to elevate people with certain spiritual gifts to positions of authority (see note on v. 12) and to favor the gift of tongues (ch. 13).
However, Paul may be referring to the spiritual gift of wisdom, which involves distinguishing between God’s preferred plan and that of the world; this seems to fit Paul’s emphasis in this verse. In addition, Paul discusses wisdom throughout 1:17–2:16, emphasizing that believers derive their understanding from God, not commonly held beliefs. Whichever spiritual gift Paul refers to here, his point is that God grants believers what they need; these gifts don’t come any other way. This gifting empowers them to follow Christ without having to worry about the judgment of others.
Those who belong to the Spirit do not need to subject themselves to human condemnation or approval; they recognize that God is their only judge (4:3).
2:16. To support his belief that the revelation of the Holy Spirit is beyond criticism from those who rely on the world’s wisdom, the apostle turned to Isaiah 40:13. In a context exalting the supremacy of God over all humans (Isa. 40:1–31), Isaiah insisted that God’s mind is beyond human instruction. No mere human can instruct him.
This principle was relevant to the apostle’s outlook because he and other people taught by the Spirit had the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and reveals it to his people through the teaching of the apostles. As believers’ minds are influenced by the Spirit, they themselves take on the mind of Christ. They think as he thinks; they evaluate life as he evaluates it. Consequently, insofar as believers follow the teaching of the Spirit, they are beyond the criticisms and instruction of human wisdom. Those taught by the Spirit do not follow their own faulty reasoning; they learn from the Spirit, who judges all human wisdom.
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God provides believers with the understanding they need (see note on 1 Cor 2:9; compare note on v. 10).
Probably refers to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to His people. The presence of the Spirit grants believers the ability to discern God’s will and works within them to make them more like Christ.
Like Christ, believers can understand the difference between right and wrong and are empowered to seek God’s will over and against sin and their own natural desires and inclinations (vv. 9, 12).
2:16 Isa 40:13, cited here, was a rhetorical question denying that humans knew God’s Spirit, but because the Spirit has now come (cf. Isa 44:3; Joel 2:28), God’s people do have his Spirit. The Greek translation of Isa 40:13 substitutes “mind” for “Spirit”; Paul, who has been writing about God’s Spirit in vv. 10–15, draws on both ideas.
Forsake the World’s Wisdom
Many people in the church at Corinth prized the world’s false wisdom. Paul ridiculed this outlook as that of the immature. True wisdom comes only from the Spirit, who knows the mind of God. Moreover, only those who depend on the Spirit and his revelation discern this wisdom and need not fear the criticisms of worldly thinking. Arrogant human wisdom had nothing to offer the Corinthians. They should have forsaken it and all the troubles it had caused their church.
PRINCIPLES
• The wise in the world failed to recognize Jesus as God’s Son and so they crucified him.
• We are dependent on God’s Spirit to reveal to us the truths about God.
• Pride and arrogance often lie behind conflicts in the church.
APPLICATIONS
We should not be afraid to look foolish to the world when we defend the truth of the gospel.
We should lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance in matters of wisdom.
In church matters that do not challenge fundamental truth, we should remain humble and teachable, seeking wisdom and unity.
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Wrong Turn
Have you ever made a wrong turn that took you a long distance out of your way? Whenever I take a long trip in my car, I usually make a wrong turn at some point along the way. I just hate it when going left instead of right takes me miles in the wrong direction.
That is the way it is with the spiritual choices Christians make as well. We all make them; mistakes in life are inevitable. But it is much better when we do not take wrong directions that make huge differences.
Paul vindicated the wisdom of the gospel. He contested that the gospel is superior, mature, spiritual wisdom, and that the world’s wisdom is inferior, immature, and unspiritual.
In this passage Paul spoke of one of those critical wrong turns that have a tremendous impact on our lives. His words challenge us to ask ourselves if we are firmly committed to God’s wisdom revealed in Christ, or if we compromise with the wisdom of the world.
We should consider this passage carefully, making certain that we base our life choices on God’s true wisdom. If we fail to do so, our best intentions may take us far away from the right path. As Francis Bacon wrote, “The lame man who keeps the right road outstrips the runner who takes a wrong one. Nay, it is obvious that when a man runs the wrong way, the more active and swift he is the further he will go astray.”
Paul vindicated the wisdom of the gospel. He contested that the gospel is superior, mature, spiritual wisdom, and that the world’s wisdom is inferior, immature, and unspiritual. This outlook has many practical implications for believers today. We will mention two important ways it applies to our lives.
First, we need to admit that Paul’s outlook is so radical that it is difficult to maintain on a daily basis. We live in a world where the truth of Christian faith is questioned and mocked every day.
Television, books, magazines, ordinary conversations—you name it—we find that people whom we respect for their learning and skills scoff at the claims of Christ. As a result, we begin to think that Christian perspectives are inferior, immature, and unspiritual.
Quarrels fueled by human arrogance take place in the church today.
Losing Paul’s radical outlook also leads many Christians to look for ways to make the gospel of Christ more acceptable to the unbelieving world.
We fear appearing foolish to the world, and we give up on important Christian doctrines such as the resurrection of Christ and the authority of Scripture. We can avoid these tendencies only by reaffirming Paul’s outlook: Christian faith is true wisdom.
V. PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you have given us the Spirit to teach us a wisdom that is better than the world’s wisdom. Have mercy on us and give us the ability to seek the Spirit’s wisdom in all of our ways. Give us the wisdom that comes from you as we deal with the world and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
VI. DEEPER DISCOVERIES
A. Secret (2:7)
The Greek word translated “secret” in the NIV may also be translated “in a mystery” or “secret and hidden.” In Paul’s writings and in the New Testament in general, mysterion seems generally to refer to things which are beyond human ability to determine.
“Secret” also does not refer to something that should not be told to others. In fact, when it refers to the gospel (God’s wisdom), it must be told to others: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery (mysterion) of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19).
B. Freely Given (2:12)
What does it mean that the things God gives us are “freely given”? The Greek verb for this idea (charizomai) generally conveys the thought of giving without regard to merit. Charizomai also means “forgive” (Luke 7:42; Col. 3:13).
C. Spiritual (2:13–15)
Paul contrasted the man “without the Spirit” (psychikos) with the “spiritual (pneumatikos) man.” Generally, Paul contrasted pneuma (spirit) with sarx (flesh), not with psyche (soul, nature). In fact, only in 1 Corinthians did he draw this contrast. Some interpreters speculate that this was due to a special understanding the Corinthians had regarding these terms in tandem. Very frequently, psyche and pneuma are used synonymously, and neither term normally carries a negative connotation. The most prudent course is to understand that psyche, when contrasted with pneuma in 1 Corinthians, identifies the corruptible, fallen condition, and that pneuma identifies the condition of salvation.
VII. TEACHING OUTLINE
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Lead Story: Wisdom—for the Mature Only
2. Context: Paul wrote this portion of his letter to address the Corinthians’ notion that they had acquired a superior wisdom by their own efforts. Each faction seemed to think that it had a superior wisdom to that of the others. This led to boasting and division. In reality, the only true wisdom came from the Holy Spirit as a gift, and it was something they all possessed.
3. Transition: Like the Corinthians, many of us think we can be wise without being mature. Or, we consider ourselves more mature than we really are. We think that we can make biblical decisions, but we do not realize that we lack the spiritual maturity necessary to recognize the biblical alternatives.
B. Commentary
1. Wisdom for the Mature (2:6–10a)
a. The wisdom of the gospel is mature wisdom (2:6)
b. The wisdom of the gospel is not the wisdom of the world (2:6, 8)
c. The wisdom of the gospel is God’s secret wisdom (2:7, 9–10a)
2. The Spirit of Wisdom (2:10b–12)
a. Only the Holy Spirit searches out God’s wisdom (2:10b–11)
b. The Holy Spirit teaches God’s wisdom to believers (2:10b, 12)
3. Spiritual and Unspiritual People (2:13–16)
a. Through the Holy Spirit, believers understand God’s wisdom (2:13)
b. The Holy Spirit and proper judgment (2:14–16)
C. Conclusion: Wrong Turn
VIII. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
1. What are the things that God has freely given us? Which of these things can we figure out on our own, and which of these do we need the Holy Spirit in order to understand?
2. If people without the Spirit do not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, how can they be saved? Does not the gospel come from the Spirit of God?
3. Do you have the mind of Christ? How do you know? How does this affect the way you think?
4. How should this passage of Scripture have helped solve the Corinthians’ problems of divisions?