Senior Class Notes – October 27, 2019

Fall 2019 Unit 2 Session 3 – God’s Will and The Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 PSG p. 106 – 115. Please read: The Work of The Holy Spirit: a Biblical Overview PSG p. 116-119.

October 27, 2019

The Point: The Holy Spirit will guide us in knowing God’s will.

Inspirational verse: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: Them that are perfect: refers to the morally and spiritually mature. Paul cannot resist the use of irony here. In verse 4 he denies the use of wisdom; now he admits to using it – but only among those capable of comprehending and appreciating it (namely, the perfect) (KJSB). The morally and spiritually mature: Philosophers could apply descriptor to those advanced in wisdom – which the Corinthians lack (3:1). But as a Jewish work from this period put it, even one considered “perfect” or “mature” was useless without God’s wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon 9:6) (NIVCBSB). Paul describes his proclamation of the gospel as the message of wisdom among the mature. The mature are those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ (NIVZSB). This term – princes of this world – could be used in a general sense for rulers or power (Rom. 13:3) or to refer to the evil spiritual beings under Satan’s control (Matt. 9:34) Key Words PSG p. 108. The princes of this world: In some passages Paul uses the word “princes” to refer to spiritual beings (Eph. 6:12; Col. 2:15); here it seems to be a reference to earthly rulers (KJVFSB). As Paul continues to differentiate between various kinds of wisdom, he explains that the believer’s wisdom is mature – not at all like what was being presented as wisdom in the world. The difference is due to the work of the Holy Spirit. In Paul’s day, many tried to approach God through reasoning and argument. The result was apatheis – an impersonal deity with no ability to feel. They saw God as detached and remote, and the preaching of Christ (with its emphasis on suffering and reconciling the world to Himself through death on a cross) seemed incomprehensible and foolish (KJVCRSB).

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: The term – ordained – is used to describe how God in His complete sovereignty and perfect wisdom made decisions before human history began about events or persons Key Words PSG p. 108. Jewish tradition emphasized that God formed wisdom before the world, used it to form the world, and that wisdom would endure forever (NIVCBSB). God’s wisdom is a “Hidden Wisdom.” This means God’s truth cannot be discovered apart from God’s revealing it. That is why skeptical atheists can read the Bible a thousand times and yet remained unmoved by it. They can analyze the Hebrew and Greek text and debate with the most brilliant Bible scholars on earth, but unless the Holy Spirit opens their understanding to the truths in God’s word, it appears as foolishness to them. God’s ultimate wisdom is connected to the person and work of Christ. When we understand God’s wisdom, we see Jesus Christ for who He truly is. This summarizes God’s eternal purposes and work for humanity (PSG p.109). God’s supernatural wisdom was understood by those who were enabled to see it through the Spirit’s illumination. A mystery (Greek musterion) is a former secret openly revealed by God – the gospel message that Christ crucified is truly the Lord of glory (KJV). In a mystery: In may be instrumental (i.e., “by a mystery”), modal (“in the form of a mystery”), or local (“hidden in a mystery”). Mystery refers to some work or purpose of God unrevealed until now “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” (Rom. 16:25-26). Paul explains his use of the term mystery in these verses. It is a truth previously unknown but now made plain. See also Ephesians 3:3-7. In this case, the reference is to the hidden wisdom, which God ordained . . . unto our glory. The purpose of God concerning our salvation was designed by God from eternity and is directed toward the everlasting glory that believers will enjoy in His presence (KJSB) God’s plan was kept hidden, – a mystery – known only to Him, until He chose to reveal it (Eph. 3:1-11). This is in contrast to the teachings of the Gnostics, a group of false religious teachers who would infiltrate the early church (1 John 2:18-27). They claimed that there existed a body of secret knowledge that was only available to those initiated into an inner circle of spiritual teachers (KJVFSB). No one can reason his or her way to Jesus. Evangelism and apologetics are valuable, but the work of the Spirit is what regenerates the heart and ushers unbelievers into the kingdom (JSB)

1 Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. The rulers of this age did not recognize Jesus as the Lord of Glory. Their lack of recognition resulted in His crucifixion, and this in turn became the basis of the gospel. So paradoxically our acceptance was made possible by Christ’s rejection (KJV). This world was also translated 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). Jewish sources normally reserved this title – Lord of Glory – for God. “Lord of Glory” can also be translated idiomatically as “glorious Lord.” (NIVCBSB). Lord of Glory: “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength” (Psalm 29:1); “And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, harken; the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran” (Acts 7:2); “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17); and “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” (James 2:1) (KJSB). The cross is the proof that God’s wisdom is not understood. That the most prominent people in Jesus’ day crucified the Lord of glory blatantly illustrates the foolishness and ignorance of humanity. They took the Wisdom of God and nailed Him to a tree (JSB).

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. This quotation from Isaiah 64:4 “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” does not refer to what Christians will experience in heaven but to what the Spirit has already reveled to them that love him (God). Through the inspired Scriptures, the Spirit introduces God’s children to something beyond their ability to see, hear, or imagine – the glories of God! (JSB). Interpreters often slightly adapted the wording of quotations; Paul adapts Isaiah 64:4 (possibly with wording from Isaiah 52:15 “So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider”) then qualifies it (v. 10; cf. v. 16) (NIVCBSB). We have no idea all that God wants to do in and through us. In our limited understanding, we have yet to imagine what is possible for us – the intimacy with the Lord, power, freedom, spiritual blessings and peace that belongs to us when we become His children (Eph. 1) (CFSLPB).

1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. The prophets promised the Spirit for the coming age; the Spirit’s activity now thus provides a foretaste of that age (NIVCBSB). The deep things of God refers to the deepest wisdom that God’s Spirit reveals to believers. This most profound wisdom, as understood from the previous context and throughout the letter, is Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, “and him crucified” (v.2) (KJV). God’s wisdom had been hidden, but what was once secret has now been revealed and made accessible. Without the Spirit’s enlightenment, however, a person is incapable of realizing the truth about God (KJVCRSB). His Holy Spirit, who indwells us from the moment of our salvation, reveals the depths of His purpose and plan for us through His Word when we seek Him (CFSLPB). Revealed … unto us: Unto us is in the emphatic position in Greek, emphasizing the enormous privilege granted the recipients of divine revelation. The magnificent treasure of God’s revealed truth is accessible to the mature believer. The apostle Paul deals with three vital doctrines. In verse 10 he touches on (1) the doctrine of revelation. The truth Paul is talking about is contained in the record God has given to us – the Bible. This is the eternal and unchanging truth of God (KJSB).

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Paul uses humans as an analogy – no one can truly know another person’s thoughts; only the individual knows his or her own thoughts. Similarly, because the Holy Spirit is fully God, the Spirit understands the thoughts and wisdom of God. Therefore, He is able to teach believers the truth of God (JSB). Paul used an analogy of the lesser to the greater. Just as the human spirit (Greek pneuma) within a man knows what he is thinking, so also the Spirit (Greek pneuma) of God knows the thoughts of God (KJV). Verse 11 deals with (2) the doctrine of illumination, which has to do with human understanding of divine truth (KJSB). An unbeliever can study the Scriptures and learn certain facts about the Almighty, but only through the illumination of the Spirit does true understanding come (JSB). Paul spoke with a type of wisdom that does not originate within this world. The world and its leaders did not know God’s secrets, but He revealed them to Paul and the other inspired writers of the New Testament. Truth comes from the mind of God. Only the Spirit of God can know the mind of God (KJVTSB). No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (NIV translation). 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) (NIVCBSB).

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. God never wants us to guess about what lies ahead for us or what we should do. In fact, if necessary, He will move heaven and earth to show us His will. He has given us His Word and Spirit to empower us and help us understand what he has planned. This is why it is absolutely essential that we remain faithful in prayer and in the study of His Word – so we can walk with Him in a daily relationship and discover the plan and the principles He wants us to live by (CFSLPB). With the reception of the Spirit of God, a person understands that “Christ and him crucified” (v.2) is actually the highest wisdom (KJV). The subject of verses 12 and 13 is (3) the doctrine of inspiration. In verse 12 Paul talks about the content of inspiration. In verse 13 his concern is with the communication of inspiration. Paul’s message was not of human contrivance. He was a channel, simply communicating God’s truth (cf. Gal. 1:11-12) (KJSB). The Greek term for “spirit” in spirit of the world also means “disposition,” and so it need not be personified here (NIVCBSB).

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual could also be translated “explaining spiritual things to spiritual people” [see vv. 14-16] or “expressing spiritual things in spiritual words” (KJV). The term comparing occurs only here and in 2 Corinthians 10:12 where the meaning is clearly “compare.” However, in classical Greek, the term was always used in a sense of “to compound” or “to interpret.” Probably the most satisfactory interpretation is “combining spiritual things with spiritual words.” After speaking of spiritual “things,” (verses 11-13), Paul now speaks of the “forms” in which they are conveyed. Spiritual truth is conveyed in language that is given by God’s Spirit (KJSB). Comparing spiritual things with spiritual: These words are difficult to translate and interpret. The Greek term translated “comparing” can also mean “combining,” or “interpreting.” The two references to “spiritual” may mean interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual persons, or else combining spiritual truths with spiritual words (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21) (KJVFSB).

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The natural man (Greek psuchikos anthropos) does not have the Spirit from God; therefore, he does not welcome the things of the Spirit of God; he considers it foolishness. It is the spirit who convicts and reveals. Throughout chapters 1 – 2, “foolishness” is always a reference to “Christ, and him crucified,” or the gospel, the wisdom of God (KJV). Natural man (Lit., unspiritual man”) is unreceptive. He does not admit the truth into his heart (cf. Luke 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; James 1:21). As spiritual discernment is generated only by the Holy Spirit, the capacity to know spiritual truth is beyond the innate powers of the natural man. Spiritually discerned: the fundamental idea of discerned is that of “examination” or “scrutiny.” It is used only by Paul and Luke, and mostly of “judicial examination (cf. Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 1 Cor. 9:3; 10:25, 27). On the spiritual plane, the natural man does not have the ability to sift the facts (KJSB). Someone without the Spirit cannot take in the things that are revealed by the Spirit. Thus does not benefit from hearing the Word of God (JSB). Satan will do whatever he can to convince people to avoid or stray from the sanctified life God has called us to live. The enemy seeks to convince us that sin doesn’t hurt anyone – and in many cases is just meaningless fun. He, Satan, tells us that the desires of the body should be gratified because they are natural. However, understand that your natural desires do not necessarily honor the Lord – nor will they satisfy you the way you hope they will (CFSLPB).

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. The spiritual person’s discernment is an understanding of the deep things of God freely given to the believer. The spiritual person is examined by the Lord as judge to determine how faithful he has been in living and proclaiming the gospel (1 Cor. 4:4-5) (KJV). The difference between the natural man and the spiritual man is primarily that the spiritual man has founded his faith on God’s revelation. He can judge now both earthly and heavenly things. He can discern what is and what is not of the gospel and salvation, and whether a man truly preaches the truth of God (KJSB). The person that is spiritual is indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit and can thus discern and comprehend spiritual things. The unspiritual cannot judge believers regarding spiritual things (JSB).

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. In Jeremiah 33:3, God said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” There are things hidden to us because of our limited human perspective. However, everything is known to the Lord, and He has given us the privilege of knowing His mind. Therefore, we should focus our thoughts on the holy and acceptable things of God, so we can begin to see and respond to the world as He does – in truth, righteousness and in accordance with His will (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 10:5; Col. 3:2) (CFSLPB). But when the spiritual person is scrutinized by the natural man with respect to spiritual things, the natural man does not have the capability to judge those who have the mind of Christ any more than a mere human can presume to instruct God (KJV). Paul concludes this section with a question from Isaiah “Who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?” (Isaiah 40:13). And the answer, from a New Testament perspective, is that with the Holy Spirit’s help, all believers can know the mind of Christ. Elsewhere, Paul shares his definition of the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11), and it is not mystical or mysterious. The mind of Christ is characterized by an attitude of humility and sacrifice (KJVCRSB). We have the mind of Christ means that Christians possess the Lord’s own understanding, that is, His thoughts, opinions, judgements, plans and so on. This answers the question that Paul puts in the same verse, Who hath known the mind of the Lord? The answer is, “We do!” The term we includes the apostle Paul and to some extent all true believers, though believers today are prudent to acknowledge the superiority of apostolic insight into spiritual matters to that of their own (KJSB). The quotation from Isaiah 40:13 explains how believers can be discerning and yet avoid assuming God’s place as judge. They possess that which the world can never acquire on its own – illumination of truth from the Holy Spirit, which gives them the mind of Christ (JSB). As we allow the Holy Spirit to transform and renew our minds (ROM 12:2), we learn to think the way Jesus thinks. Our attitudes, values, desires, and choices begin to more and more reflect those of Christ. Then we are able to say with Paul, “nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20) (LG p. 114).

References: Fall 2019

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(JSB) – The Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.