The Text (ESV)
Just a few comments on these verses:
1. Paul switches from “I” to “we” in this section on spiritual wisdom. This shows that all the apostles and leaders of the church are teaching the same wisdom. It also does not give the Corinthians who champion Paul any reason to claim that he has any special wisdom that the other leaders do not possess.
2. Paul makes sure to reiterate that this wisdom for the spiritual mature is not the wisdom of the world. The world's wisdom is like the tower of Babel. It may make us proud of our achievements, but it does not get us any closer to God. God has to reveal his wisdom to us.
3. This wisdom is the gospel. I conclude this because Paul writes this is the wisdom that “God decreed before the ages for our glory.”
Comments
1 Cor. 2:8 has a wealth to mine out, simply in the phrase, "the Lord of glory [who was crucified]." The exaltation of Christ and also His humiliation and suffering in one little bit of Scripture. "Lord of glory" is used in Scripture only one other place (off the top of my head): Jam. 2:1 "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons." He is also called the King of glory (Ps. 24:8) and God of glory (Acts 7 or 8 I think).
Posted by: David on Wednesday, June 15, 2005