1 Corinthians 2:6 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Corinthians 2:6

Comments

This is a verse that requires a little explanation. ‘Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect.’ Now reading that, we might think that what the apostle means is, ‘We speak simply to the unconverted, but we speak spiritual wisdom among those who are mature in the faith.’ That is what the word ‘perfect’ means: complete, mature. They are saved, in other words. They have spiritual understanding, and among them we speak all the wisdom of God. But the apostle is not actually saying that. We need to read the phrase more carefully. ‘Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are saved’ – actually what he means is this: we speak wisdom in the estimation of the saved. After all he has said about the nature of his preaching and how careful he is to avoid human wisdom, and to stick to the gospel which is the wisdom of God, he does not now say that what he preachers to the unconverted is something less than wisdom. The gospel is itself wisdom. He does not mean that to the lost he speaks simply, but to the saved he can be more complicated. No, the gospel is also the wisdom of God. It is still wiser than man. The apostle has said so in the previous chapter. The gospel preached to the lost is the wisdom of God, and what he speaks to the saved is also the wisdom of God. What he is saying here is that it is wisdom in the estimation of the saved. They know this is wise. As we preach the gospel people may think our message is foolishness, but the saved know that it is all the wisdom of God.

Application

The gospel solves the problem of man, his alienation from God. How is a perfect God going to forgive sinful man? Sin must be eliminated by punishment and suffering, and in his amazing lovingkindness and tender mercy God comes himself in the person of Jesus Christ to take that suffering. That is the wisdom of God. So God can be just, never letting sin go unpunished, and at the same time the justifier, the Saviour, of sinners. It is the wisest thing conceivable. The believers know it to be so. The wisdom of this world is all about the flesh. It is all about the greatness of man. It is all about his sufficiency, his capability, to do whatever he wants. The wisdom of this world is all about pleasure and satisfying the lusts of the flesh, and how people view us, what they think of us, what our reputation will be, how well we can do, and how much we possess. The wisdom of this world is that greatness is fame and fortune. The wisdom of this world is that power is right; might is right. The wisdom of God is about being clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and receiving a new heart and a new life. It is about being on the road to eternal glory and wonder, and having communion with God, and having him directing life. It is about understanding him, and studying him and rejoicing in him. These two wisdoms are so different. Don't ever eclipse the Spirit!

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1 Corinthians 2:6 Commentary and Bible Study