1 Corinthians

Superior Wisdom

When I came to reveal to you the mystery of God’s plan, I did not rely on eloquence or a display of learning.

I was determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I, myself, came weak, fearful, and trembling;

my words and preaching were not impressive or clever enough to win listeners. It was more a demonstration of spirit and power,

so that your faith might depend not on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

In fact, we do speak of wisdom to those who are mature in faith, although it is not the wisdom of this world or its rulers, who are destined to perish.

We teach the mystery and secret plan of divine wisdom, which God has designed from the beginning to bring us to glory.

No ruler of this world ever understood this; otherwise, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as scripture says: Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man what God has prepared for those who love him.

Revealed by the Spirit

God has revealed it to us through his Spirit because the Spirit probes everything, even the depths of God.

Who, but his own spirit, knows the secrets of a person? Likewise, no one but the Spirit of God knows the secrets of God.

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who comes from God and, through him, we understand what God, in his goodness, has given us.

So we discuss this not using human wisdom as our guide, but in a language taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual wisdom to those who are spiritual.

The unspiritual person does not understand the things of the Spirit, for to him it is foolishness; and he does not understand because they require a spiritual experience.

But the spiritual person can judge everything, yet no one judges him.

For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to counsel him? But we have the mind of Christ.