The Mystery of God 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
It is God s wisdom (2:6) It is secret & hidden wisdom (2:7) It is eternal (2:7) It is wisdom prepared for those who love God (2:9) It stems from the deep things of God (2:10) It reveals the thoughts of God (2:11) It is freely given to us by God (2:12) It is revealed through the Spirit of God (2:14) It reveals the mind of Christ (2:16)
God Has a Secret 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
1 Corinthians 2:6-9 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 Lord of glory. 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. (ESV)
Hidden (mystērion) From which we get our word mystery. Secret, in reference to something previously unknown but now revealed.
The Mystery The rulers of the age didn t know the secret.
The Mystery The rulers of the age didn t know the secret. The Jews didn t know the secret.
The Mystery The rulers of the age didn t know the secret. The Jews didn t know the secret. Many today still do not know the secret.
Colossians 1:25-26 I became a minister... to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. (ESV)
F.F. Bruce It is clear that the mystery is not something additional to the saving message of Christ crucified; it is in Christ crucified that the wisdom of God is embodied.
It comes from God, not man (2:7) It was previously unknown, but now known (2:7) It was set in motion by God before the ages (2:7) It results in the glory of God s people (2:7) It has been prepared for those who love him (2:9)
1 Corinthians 2:9 What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. (ESV)
We Can Know the Secret 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 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. 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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 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. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (ESV)
All Three Persons in the Godhead Involved The Father s divine plan The Son s loving sacrifice The Holy Spirit s ministry of conviction
Ephesians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In
Ephesians 1:7-11 him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose
Ephesians 1:11-14 of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (ESV)
Chosen in him (4) Found holy and blameless (4) Adopted as sons (5) Redeemed through his blood (7) Forgiven of our trespasses (7) Riches of his grace lavished upon us (7-8) Receive wisdom & insight (8) Obtain an inheritance (11) Sealed with the Holy Spirit (13)
Ministries of the Holy Spirit The HS searches For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (2:10-11)
Ministries of the Holy Spirit The HS searches (2:10-11) The HS indwells believers Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God (2:12) And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Ministries of the Holy Spirit The HS searches (2:10-11) The HS indwells believers (2:12) The HS teaches & guides That we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words taught by the Spirit. (2:13-14) (See also: Jn 14:26; 16:13)
Ministries of the Holy Spirit The HS searches (2:10-11) The HS indwells believers (2:12) The HS teaches & guides (2:13) The HS matures the believer Interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person is not able to understand but we have the mind of Christ. (2:13-16)
Other Ministries of the Holy Spirit He speaks (1 Tim 4:1) He testifies (Jn 15:26) He teaches (Jn 14:26) He guides (Jn 16:12) He leads (Acts 16:6) Bears witness that we are children of God (Rom 8:14-16) Intercedes with groanings too deep for words (Rom 8:26) Seals our inheritance (2 Cor 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph 1:13-14)
Other Ministries of the Holy Spirit Convicts us concerning sin and righteousness (Jn 16:7-8) Guides believers to truth (Jn 14:17; 16:13) Helps us glorify Christ (Jn 16:14) Is the source of new birth (Jn 3:5) Is the source of miracles (Mt 12:28) Aided in resurrection of Jesus from the dead (Rom 8:11) Produces fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22-23) Grants peace and comfort (Jn 14:16, 26, 27)
Rejection of the Holy Spirit He can be grieved (Eph 4:30; Isa 63:10) He can be despised (Heb 10:29) He can be blasphemed (Mt 12:31; Mk 3:29) He can be resisted (Acts 7:51) He can be lied to (Acts 5:3)
2:16 is based on Isaiah 40:13 For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?
The Mystery of God Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we have access to the mind of Christ.