1 Corinthians 2:6-16 | "We Have the Mind of Christ"

I. Reading of Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:6 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV

7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

1 Corinthians 2:8 ESV

8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

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”—

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

This is God’s Word, Amen.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 “We Have the Mind of Christ”

II. Introduction

The title of this sermon is that revealing statement: “We have the Mind of Christ.”

This is one more gift from God that belongs to us who are in Christ.

It is a reality for the Church, whether we act like it or not; whether we understand it or not.

“We have the mind of Christ.”

Sometimes, we have to be told what we have.

This week, (I can’t remember the details), but I remember my daughter panicking because she could not find something that she knew she had a minute ago.

A whirlwind ensued, as she frantically retraced her steps, looking everywhere in the house for it.

“Where is it? Where is it? Opening drawers, running to different rooms.”

As she passed by me, I noticed something in her hand. And I finally got her to stand still for a minute, and pointed out that what she was looking for was in her hand. She had it all along!

She stopped and said with a bit of embarrassment: “Oh.”

(Has that ever happened to anyone else? We’ve all experienced that before.)

Sometimes, we have to be told what we have.

The church in Corinth was like that. Running around looking for something in the world, in culture, even in their assembly — and Paul says stop! Be still! You have what you are looking for!

This passage does not give us specific commands to obey, or concrete application to practice during the week.

But this passage does tell us what we have.

And we, the Church, need to know what we have!

We need to know what God has given us, and how God has enriched us, and what God wants for us. Every one of us who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, from the youngest to the eldest, has this mind of Christ.

And what we have will inform what we do.

"We have the mind of Christ.”

This mind of Christ, as the text will unfold, is the source of true, godly wisdom.

A wisdom that is not wordly, a wisdom that is not of men, a wisdom that does not divide but a wisdom that demonstrates the power of God.

A wisdom that equips us as we wait for the Lord’s return.

A wisdom in which we all “say the same thing,” where we agree, being united in the same mind and in the same judgment — having Christ’s mind and Christ’s judgment.

A. Introduction to Theme

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that he did not come to them, proclaiming the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom (2:1).

He spoke about what and how he preached, what he proclaimed aloud!

But in verse 6, he pulls his audience aside to tell them something. I imagine he beckons them with a wave and a whisper.”

It is not that the testimony of God is void of wisdom.

It is not that we do not have wisdom.

In another place, Paul would write:

Ephesians 5:15 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

You need wisdom, and God wants you to live wisely!

Christ is the wisdom of God (1:24).

Christ became to us wisdom from God (1:30).

It’s not that we do not impart wisdom.

The Church needs wisdom!

But the wisdom you have is different from the wisdom you are looking for.

What do you think about when you hear the word “wisdom?”

Do you think about age? A wise person is an aged person?

That is certainly desirable. But we don’t have to look too far in our day to find aged people who live foolishly.

Do you think about degrees? A wise person is an educated person?

That is certainly desirable. But an education is only as good as what you do with it. I have known people with advanced degrees that aren’t worth to them the paper it is printed on.

Do you think about experience? A wise person is an experienced person?

That certainly makes sense. But experience can make a person lazy, complacent, and ineffective. It is only as good as how it is used.

One way wisdom is defined is the “capacity to understand and function accordingly” (BDAG).

So wisdom is not limited to simply knowledge.

Wisdom is a knowledge that acts!

Church in Corinth — you think you are wise because you have lived a time on this earth, and have had certain spiritual experiences? Because you know certain things? Because you follow certain people?

None of that is wisdom in God’s eyes.

Wisdom is something that God gives by His Spirit — and it is for a group of people called “the mature.”

B. Introduction to Text

This text divides broadly into two sections.

There is a wisdom that is from God (2:6-9).

It is a wisdom that is revealed through the Spirit of God (2:10-16).

III. Exposition

A. There is a wisdom that is from God (2:6-9)

2:6

1 Corinthians 2:6 ESV

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.

Notice that wisdom is first described as something that is “imparted.”

Literally, it is something that is spoken.

“We do speak…wisdom.”

It is not that we ignore this topic altogether because the world seeks after it. The Church has wisdom, but look at what it is not:

It is NOT a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age.

That is, just because a person is in a position of leadership does not mean that they’ve got wisdom right.

The prevailing opinions of our time do not define wisdom (see Bruce).

Because someone is on TV, or is influential in a particular field, or has a large following for a point of view does not represent wisdom.

This is a verse that the Church can speak straight into our culture.

“We do impart wisdom…although it is not a wisdom of this age.”

And it is not a wisdom for everyone.

Who is this wisdom, this godly wisdom, spoken to?

Verse 6 says “among the mature.”

Who are the “mature”?

One way to answer that question is to ask what it means to be “immature.”

Immature people are not capable of thinking for themselves, or understanding what they are given - much less acting upon it. They are like babies. They are babies in Christ.

It is possible for someone to be in Christ, and also be immature.

This is a very natural thing when someone first comes to Christ. They need simple instructions. Simple messages. Even a child may come to Christ because the gospel is not complicated.

But then a process of discipleship is to take place. Learning obedience to the commands of Christ. Growing in sanctification. This is maturity.

Think about the similarities and differences between a human baby and a human adult.

Both are human. Both have a body, soul and mind. In these ways, a baby and an adult are the same.

But how are they different?

In the body, a baby and an adult eat different foods. A baby does not have teeth and must drink milk. An adult has teeth, and may eat meat.

In the soul, the baby and adult process emotions differently. Both cry. A baby cries when it needs a diaper changed, when it is tired, when it is hungry. All it knows to do is cry!

But an adult is able to cry differently. The emotions are more developed and mature. An adult can cry with tears of joy — something a baby does not have the sensibilities to do. (Have you ever seen a baby cry tears of joy?) That is evidence of matured emotions.

This is the imagery at work. Wisdom is spoken not to babies, but to the mature. To those who will do something with that wisdom. To those whose understanding and actions are changed by Christ’s cross (TTC).

The mature are spiritual adults. Who live for the sake of others in the community of faith.

Immature people are selfish people.

Mature people are selfless people, caring more for others than for self.

Selfishness is immaturity. And in this way, there is a lot of immaturity in the body of Christ - in Corinth, and even today.

This is the sin that this text calls out.

It is not a sin to be immature in Christ — if you are a baby in Christ. If you are a recent convert, newly born again.

But it is a sin to be immature in Christ when you ought to be, by now, a spiritual adult.

1 Corinthians 2:6 ESV

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.

The rulers of this age are all about self-preservation.

But the wisdom of God in Christ is about self-sacrifice.

Paul decided to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and him crucified because that was where they needed to begin.

The immature had not yet taken up their own cross, and died to self.

If we do not die to self, we will not grow in the wisdom of Christ which explains the meaning of the cross and the way of the cross.

The cross is not the end, but it is the beginning of the spiritual life.

The rulers of this age are doomed and they are passing away already.

So Paul explains what the wisdom of God is NOT. It is not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age.

Look in verse 7 to see what the wisdom of God IS.

2:7

1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV

7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

This wisdom of God, the wisdom of the cross, belongs to God! It is the “wisdom of God.” It is from Him!

And it is timeless. “Decreed before the ages.”

God knew what He was doing before Creation and it involved “our glory” which is a way of speaking about our “salvation.”

Romans 8:29 ESV

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

That word “predestined” is the same word in 1 Corinthians 2:7 as “decreed.”

Romans 8:30 ESV

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

This is God’s process of salvation in Christ. God knew how He was going to bring about salvation before the ages.

But he kept it secret and hidden so that in the right time, and in the right person, it might be revealed.

2:8

1 Corinthians 2:8 ESV

8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

2:9

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

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”—

We make judgments by what we see, hear, and imagine — but our human judgments are not reliable for understanding God’s heart and will (TTC).

God’s heart and God’s will must be revealed by none other than God Himself.

First, there is a wisdom that is from God.

It is different from the wisdom of the world, and it is spoken to those who are mature - who can comprehend, understand, and act upon it.

Second —

B. It is a wisdom that is revealed through the Spirit of God (2:10-16)

2:10

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

This is the Holy Spirit.

God forever has been, and always will be, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I find it worth noting that Paul does not say that this wisdom from God is revealed through the Word, but he says “through the Spirit of God.”

We will not get wise by reading God’s Word alone, for we cannot understand the Word without the Spirit.

One of the most beneficial things you can do when you read your Bible is to pray first, and read the Bible with the Spirit for understanding.

Many people have read the Bible and do not believe Christ. Atheists have read the Bible and do not believe Christ. Many Jews have read the Bible and do not believe Christ. Because they do not understand what they read. They do not have the revelation of wisdom that is from the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

This is explained in verse 11:

2:11

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

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.

This is an important principle.

Can we know God’s thoughts? Can we instruct God?

Isaiah 55:8 ESV

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:11 reveals a principle: “No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

We humans may search for godly wisdom, but only the Spirit can search the depths of God’s heart and reveal it to us.

IV. Conclusion

A. Gospel Proclamation

Verse 12 starts to bring this text to a conclusion and begins with this gospel proclamation of what God has given us as a church in Christ:

2:12

1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

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.

The word “freely given” represents a grace of God. God has given us the Spirit who is from God.

And this grace overcomes our sin of immaturity.

Every one of us who are in Christ have received the Spirit of God.

And the Spirit of God is God’s provision for us to understand the things God has graciously, and freely given to us. The gift of salvation in Christ.

That Christ died for our sins - but that wasn’t all.

But that he was buried. And that wasn’t all.

And that he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And that wasn’t all.

He was seen by many. He is coming again. He will be highly exalted. Every knee will bow. We who are being saved will share in his glory.

All of this — According to God’s plan before time.

We who are in Christ, are living in God’s plan and purposes in Christ and we only understand this through the wisdom of God, revealed by the Spirit of God, because of Christ.

2:13

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV

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.

2:14

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

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.

2:15

1 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

2:16

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The spiritually mature are guided by the Spirit, and we have access to the heart and mind of God through the Spirit who searches the depths of God.

This is not something we have to go searching for. It is something we already have!

C. Exhortation & Application

The question that remains today, is how then - do we become mature?

We have to stop doing things in our own strength.

Human strength, human wisdom, does not bring about spiritual maturity.

No amount of Bible reading, Bible study, church attendance, church activities can make us mature.

Maturity is something that is spiritual. It comes only from God’s Spirit. We must depend not upon human wisdom but upon the power of God.

This means, practically, we must pray. We must live by faith in what we cannot see, rather than what we see.

Our lives must be guided by the word of the cross such that our attitudes and our actions are changed by it (TTC).

If we are guided by the cross, we will not be selfish. We will be humbled. We won’t be so concerned with ourselves, but will in wisdom see our lives as part of God’s timeless plan and purposes in Christ.

We will rid ourselves of divisions, and will unite ourselves in the same mind and judgment, around the person and work of Christ.

We won’t care so much about how spiritual we are, but how obedient we are. That is true wisdom.

“We have the mind of Christ.”

It is a gift of God, given graciously by God — Why?

So that having been enriched in Christ in all speech and knowledge...we are not lacking in any gift as we wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.