2:1–5 - Looking back at the first encounter in Corinth
The mission in Corinth took place after Paul’s failure in Athens - the capital of Greece (Acts 17:16–34). According to the Acts, Paul first started preaching in the local synagogue (Acts 18:4–6) and when his message was opposed he moved to a private houses (Acts 18:7).
Here, the Gospel is called - “the testimony of God” (1 Cor 2:1).
Paul consequently contrasts his preaching with a worldly ‘advertising’.
| Worldly way of preaching | Paul’s way of preaching |
|---|---|
| excellence of speech or wisdom (2:1); persuasive words of wisdom (2:4) | demonstration of spirit and power (2:4) |
Paul says that he stood in front of them in:
* weakness - understood as tiredness, sickness, pressure from dangers (2 Cor 11:23–30);
* Fear and trembling.
Was he affected by the failure in Athens? Did he lack confidence? The phrase “fear and trembling” is connected with the manifestation of God’s power (Ex 15:16 LXX).
The world knows three types of preachers:
But, what does it mean to speak in “demonstration of spirit and of power”? Perhaps, Acts 2:37 can gives an insight. There is something about the message of the Gospel that penetrates deep into the heart of listeners and changes them (see also Gal 3:1–5).
Faith should be placed in the power of God, not in the wisdom of men (Jer 17:5–8). The question is how great or small your God is? Paul’s God was the God of Abraham (see Rom 4:17 - the definition of God).
2:6–8
Who are those leaders of this age? They did not grasp the hidden wisdom of God and so crucified Christ. Does Paul refer to Jewish and Roman authorities? Does he refer to those cosmic powers - the enemies of God and human beings (Eph 6:12)? Or both?
God’s wisdom is shown as “in mystery” - covered in mystery - and as “having been hidden”. The form of the verb “having been hidden” indicates that this wisdom still remains hidden.
From eternity - “before the ages” - God decided to reveal it to “us” - Paul and those who came to faith in Christ.
Regarding this wisdom cover in mystery see Rom 16:25, Col 1:26; Eph 3:4–6; 1 Peter 1:10–12 - even angels would like to look into.
2:9 - the key verse in this chapter.
It seems to be a combination of Is 64:3 and Jer 3:16. In Paul’s form it refers to the mystery of Christ. We are meant for glory with Christ. Yet, what that glory actually means nobody truly knows (1 John 3:2).
Verse 2:10 highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in grasping the wisdom of God (see Luke 24:44–45; John 14:26; 16:7–14).
Verse 2:11 - refers to self-knowledge or self-consciousness in human person. In Paul’s anthropology human spirit penetrates the depths of human person, so is with the God’s Spirit.
Verses 2:12–16
Three kinds of spirit:
In order to grasp God’s wisdom, the spirit of God has to join the spirit of man. Otherwise, man remains on his “natural” level or using Paul’s language remains “natural man” instead of being “spiritual man” (2:14–15).
Since, natural man is unable to grasp God’s wisdom, we now understand Paul’s statement in 2:6.8. The leaders of this age were/are just “natural man”, so they consider the message of the cross as foolishness (see again Acts 17:32).
Who is “spiritual man”? Every baptized person!!! (see Rom 8:14–17; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 4:6).
Verse 2:16 - Is 40:13; Wisdom 9:13. The “We” in the answer should refer to Paul and the Corinthians (see Phil 2:5). Yet, in the next chapter, Paul shows how the Corinthians, who supposed to “have the mind of Christ” act in a contrary way to it.