I Corinthians 2:7
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No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
wisdom of God--emphatically contrasted with the wisdom of men and of this world (Co1 2:5-6). in a mystery--connected in construction with "we speak": We speak as dealing with a mystery; that is not something to be kept hidden, but what heretofore was so, but is now revealed. Whereas the pagan mysteries were revealed only to a chosen few, the Gospel mysteries were made known to all who would obey the truth. "If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (Co2 4:3), "whom the God of this world hath blinded." Ordinarily we use "mystery" in reference to those from whom the knowledge is withheld; the apostles, in reference to those to whom it is revealed [WHATELY]. It is hidden before it is brought forward, and when it is brought forward it still remains hidden to those that are imperfect [BENGEL]. ordained--literally, "foreordained" (compare Co1 2:9), "prepared for them that love Him." before the world--rather, "before the ages" (of time), that is, from eternity. This infinitely antedates worldly wisdom in antiquity. It was before not only the wisdom of the world, but eternally before the world itself and its ages. to our glory--ours both now and hereafter, from "the Lord of glory" (Co1 2:8), who brings to naught "the princes of this world."
Open source ↗The apostle proceeds with his argument in this chapter, and, I. Reminds the Corinthians of the plain manner wherein he delivered the gospel to them (Co1 2:1-5). But yet, II. Shows them that he had communicated to them a treasure of the truest and highest wisdom, such as exceeded all the attainments of learned men, such as could never have entered into the heart of man if it had not been revealed, nor can be received and improved to salvation but by the light and influence of that Spirit who revealed it (Co1 2:6 to the end).
Open source ↗2:7 In Paul’s writings, mystery often refers to a truth previously hidden but now revealed in the Good News of Christ and his saving work (see Rom 11:25-27; 1 Tim 3:9, 16). • before the world began: From the very beginning, it has been God’s desire to save his chosen people through Christ (see Rom 16:25-26; Eph 1:9-12; 3:3-12; Col 1:25-27) and to bring them to ultimate glory in the coming age (see Rom 5:2; 8:18-21, 29-30; 1 Thes 2:12).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: