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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. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Master [Lord] of glory.[1]

1 Corinthians 2:6 – 8

Wisdom. We all want it, I think. What is the path? How do we get there?

God is GOD. He has, from before the beginning of time, had a plan in mind. God is executing against it, day by day, year by year, century by century, millennium by millennium.

  • We seek to understand it all but some days we just cannot.
  • It is a mystery.
  • We are wandering around in a fog.

What we do know is that God has a plan in mind. We trust Him that it will all unfold, just as He has planned it out. His purpose will be achieved, and we will see His glory. So be it!!

I want to understand God and have the wisdom of his son Jesus. I need to seek out what is His purpose to get there.

“Among the mature” refers to those whom Paul has previously described as “called” and “selected” by God in distinction from the rest of humanity, describes them here as mature in that by virtue of God’s having called and selected them they’ve understood the wisdom of God in the proclamation of the Messiah as crucified, and implies that the rest of humanity, including its vaunted rulers, are immature and childish in their considering that proclamation to be foolish.

“The wisdom of this age” means the wisdom which thinks in terms of the here and now rather than in terms of what’s coming at “the revelation of our Master, Jesus the Messiah”—in other words, wisdom that’s short-sighted and therefore inferior to God’s foolishness.

“The rulers belonging to this age” likewise means rulers who are ruling only temporarily. Paul mentions them here to make a contrast between their political power and “God’s power” in “the speech about the cross”.

“Who are being incapacitated [doomed]” indicates their growing loss of power—despite their having crucified the Messiah Jesus—through the effective proclamation of God’s wisdom, and also looks forward to their complete loss of power at “the revelation of our Master, Jesus the Messiah … in the Day of our Master, Jesus the Messiah”.[2]

The wise listen to instruction

  • Proverbs 1:5 — 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
  • Proverbs 15:31 — 31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.
  • Proverbs 4:1 — 1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
  • Proverbs 9:9 — 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
  • Proverbs 10:8 — 8 The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined.
  • Proverbs 13:20 — 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
  • Proverbs 15:12 — 12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.
  • Proverbs 19:20 — 20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 2:6–8). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Gundry, R. H. (2010). Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation (p. 636). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.