To summarize his thought, Paul again cited Isaiah ( Isaiah 40:13; cf. Romans 11:34). That prophet marveled at the mind of God. Who can fully understand what God understands? Certainly no one can. On the other hand, mature believers can understand to a much greater degree than unbelievers because they have the Spirit of God in them and He controls them. Consequently the mature Christian has the mind of Christ. That Isaiah , he or she views life to some extent as Jesus did because that person understands things from God"s perspective, at least partially. [source][source][source]
In his epistle to the Philippians , Paul urged his readers to adopt the mind of Christ ( Philippians 2:5). Even though we have the mind of Christ we need to adopt it, that Isaiah , to use it to view life as He did. One evidence of Christian maturity is the believer"s consistent employment of Christ"s attitude and viewpoint in all of life. [source][source][source]
In this section ( 1 Corinthians 2:6-16) Paul elaborated on the subject of the Holy Spirit"s ministry of illuminating the believer about what God has revealed. He had previously reminded his readers that he had conducted himself in their midst with this supernatural viewpoint ( 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). [source][source][source]
The basic theological point of tension between Paul and the Corinthians in this epistle was over what it means to be pneumatikos, a Spirit person. Because of their experience of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) they considered themselves to be "as the angels" and in need only of shedding their bodies. The sources of this distorted view were popular philosophy tainted with Hellenistic dualism. Hellenistic dualism viewed anything material as evil and anything non-material or "spiritual" as good. The result was a "spirituality" and "higher wisdom" that had little connection with ethical behavior. [1][source]
"The concern from here on will be to force them to acknowledge the folly of their " Wisdom of Solomon ," which is expressing itself in quarrels and thereby destroying the very church for which Christ died. [source][source][source]
"Paul"s concern needs to be resurrected throughout the church. The gift of the Spirit does not lead to special status among believers; rather, it leads to special status vis--vis the world. But it should do so always in terms of the centrality of the message of our crucified/risen Savior. The Spirit should identify God"s people in such a way that their values and worldview are radically different from the wisdom of this age." [2][source]
The perfect are those who are full grown and matured in Christian experience. They need strong meat. For them there are blessed unveilings of the secret things of God, such as the profoundest thinkers of this world have never reached. The words in 1 Corinthians 2:9 must not be applied to heaven alone; in their first intention they belong to us in this mortal life. The human eye that has seen the fairest of earth's things, and the ear that has heard the sweetest strains of human melody, have never experienced the depths of enjoyment of those who have found the love of God in Christ. They who know Christ should not be content with the mere rudiments of the gospel, but should follow on to know those deeper things which evade men who are merely clever, but are revealed to those who are really good.
There are two types of men. There is the spiritual man, whose spirit is the temple and dwelling-place of the Spirit of God. He knows the thoughts of God, because he has a living union with the eternal Mind. And there is the natural man, possessing merely the intellect and conscience of ordinary humanity. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 2
1Paul declares that his preaching, 4though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom, 5yet consists in the power of God; 6and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord [Τις γαρ εγνω νουν Κυριου] Quotation from Isaiah 40:13. [source]
That he should instruct him [ος συνβιβασει αυτον] This use of ος hos (relative who) is almost consecutive (result). The πνευματικος pneumatikos man is superior to others who attempt even to instruct God himself. See note on Acts 9:22 and note on Acts 16:10 for συνβιβαζω sunbibazō to make go together. But we have the mind of Christ (ημεις δε νουν Χριστου εχομεν hēmeis de noun Christou echomen). As he has already shown (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). Thus with the mind (νους nous Cf. Philemon 2:5; Romans 8:9,Romans 8:27). Hence Paul and all πνευματικοι pneumatikoi men are superior to those who try to shake their faith in Christ, the mystery of God. Paul can say, “I know him whom I have believed.” “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” [source]
But we have the mind of Christ [ημεις δε νουν Χριστου εχομεν] As he has already shown (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). Thus with the mind Hence Paul and all πνευματικοι pneumatikoi men are superior to those who try to shake their faith in Christ, the mystery of God. Paul can say, “I know him whom I have believed.” “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” [source]
Mind [νοῦν] See on Romans 7:23. The understanding of the Lord. The divine counsels or purposes which are the results of the divine thought. See on Romans 11:34. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 2:16
Acts 9:22Proving [συμβιβάζων] The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Ephesians 4:16. In Colossians 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, of instructing, building up, byputting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Judges 13:8. [source]
Romans 11:34Who hath known, etc. [] From Isaiah 40:13. Heb., Who hath measured the Spirit? Though measured may be rendered tried, proved, regulated. Compare the same citation in 1 Corinthians 2:16. This is the only passage in the Septuagint where ruach spirit is translated by νοῦς mindKnown ( ἔγνω ) may refer to God's γνῶσις knowledgeand ways in Romans 11:33; counselor to His wisdom and judgments. No one has counseled with Him in forming His decisions. [source]
Romans 11:34Who hath known? [τις εγνω] Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō a timeless aorist, did know, does know, will know. Quotation from Isaiah 40:13. Quoted already in 1 Corinthians 2:16. [source]
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: νοῦς
Sense: the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining.
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 2:16
Quotation from Isaiah 40:13. [source]
This use of ος hos (relative who) is almost consecutive (result). The πνευματικος pneumatikos man is superior to others who attempt even to instruct God himself. See note on Acts 9:22 and note on Acts 16:10 for συνβιβαζω sunbibazō to make go together. But we have the mind of Christ (ημεις δε νουν Χριστου εχομεν hēmeis de noun Christou echomen). As he has already shown (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). Thus with the mind (νους nous Cf. Philemon 2:5; Romans 8:9, Romans 8:27). Hence Paul and all πνευματικοι pneumatikoi men are superior to those who try to shake their faith in Christ, the mystery of God. Paul can say, “I know him whom I have believed.” “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” [source]
As he has already shown (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). Thus with the mind Hence Paul and all πνευματικοι pneumatikoi men are superior to those who try to shake their faith in Christ, the mystery of God. Paul can say, “I know him whom I have believed.” “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” [source]
See on Romans 7:23. The understanding of the Lord. The divine counsels or purposes which are the results of the divine thought. See on Romans 11:34. [source]
See on proving, Acts 9:22. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 2:16
The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Ephesians 4:16. In Colossians 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, of instructing, building up, byputting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Judges 13:8. [source]
From Isaiah 40:13. Heb., Who hath measured the Spirit? Though measured may be rendered tried, proved, regulated. Compare the same citation in 1 Corinthians 2:16. This is the only passage in the Septuagint where ruach spirit is translated by νοῦς mindKnown ( ἔγνω ) may refer to God's γνῶσις knowledgeand ways in Romans 11:33; counselor to His wisdom and judgments. No one has counseled with Him in forming His decisions. [source]
Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō a timeless aorist, did know, does know, will know. Quotation from Isaiah 40:13. Quoted already in 1 Corinthians 2:16. [source]
The forming of Christ in them, their attainment of the complete inner life of Christians, is the object of the new birth. By their relapse they have retarded this result and renewed Paul's spiritual travail. The verb μορφοῦν N.T.oThe idea under different aspects is common. See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27. [source]
See on proving, Acts 9:22. In the Septuagint it means to instruct, as Exodus 18:16; Deuteronomy 4:9; Isaiah 40:13(compare 1 Corinthians 2:16); Psalm 31:8. Used of putting together in one's mind, and so to conclude by comparison. Thus Acts 16:10, assuredly gathering, Rev., concluding. [source]