3 | Contradictions and Paradoxes in Paul’s Corinthian Epistles
The Spirit Teaches a Hidden Wisdom (Ch 2)
The above podcast link is part of our Letter Series on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. A summary of the episode is provided below.
In the second chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul embarks on a profound exploration of divine wisdom, the transformative power of the Spirit, and the illumination of the mind of Christ.
Paul Expands on the Meaning of Power (2:1–5)
In the opening verses of Chapter 2, Paul addresses the notion of power and wisdom. He clarifies that the absence of lofty speech and worldly wisdom in his preaching is not indicative of anti-intellectualism or a lack of learning. Rather, he intentionally refrains from adopting the appearances and claims of transcendent knowledge sought after by the Corinthians. Instead, Paul’s message centers solely on the wisdom of Christ crucified.
Paul momentarily adopts the Corinthian view, where wisdom is equated with power, and the cross is deemed foolishness. By acknowledging his presence in Corinth as a state of weakness, Paul sets the stage for a series of contradictions that will underpin his argument.
He then contrasts persuasive words, typically associated with human wisdom and eloquence, with the demonstration of the Spirit and His power. Paul emphasizes that both persuasive speech and the Spirit’s manifestation can lead individuals to “buy-in”. However, the crucial distinction lies in the nature of the conviction. While the Corinthians sought a force or leader capable of elevating them to a higher plane of existence through eloquent words, Paul asserts that the Spirit, through the message of the Cross (the crucified Jesus), accomplishes a better transformation; one that unites us to the mind of God. Consequently, Paul urges the Corinthians to place their trust not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God — a theme revisited in 4:19–20.
God’s Hidden Wisdom (2:6–10)
In verse 6, Paul begins to a two-part discourse. First, for the remainder of Chapter 2, he explains what a mature person would comprehend. Then, in Chapter 3, he addresses the Corinthians as spiritual infants, incapable of grasping the full magnitude of the Spirit’s power.
Paul employs the concept of “passing away” as a key element in his narrative. He introduces two deaths — the fading away of the rulers and worldly wisdom, and the death of the Cross. Individuals must choose to align themselves with one wisdom or the other. The “rulers of this age” could refer to either human leaders and malevolent spiritual entities.
Paul introduces the notion of a secret and hidden wisdom, echoing the Corinthian idea of transcendence. Paul asserts that this wisdom was prepared by God before the beginning of time, underscoring the idea that God’s wisdom transcends human understanding.
We offers two intriguing interpretations to Paul’s reference to the rulers of this age. The first suggests that the rulers of this age, in their involvement in Jesus’s crucifixion, serve as evidence of the inherent contradiction between the two types of wisdom. One wisdom leads to identification with Jesus’s death, while the other results in complicity in His crucifixion.
The second interpretation speculates that even Satan and the demons were unaware of God’s plan for human redemption. Their unknowing participation in Jesus’s crucifixion underscores the secrecy and mystery shrouding God’s wisdom.
The Spirit, The Mind of God, and the Mind of Christ in Us (2:11–16)
Verses 11–16 delve into the pivotal role of the Spirit in revealing the mind of God to believers. Paul emphasizes that the Spirit possesses intimate knowledge and understanding of God’s thoughts. It is through the Spirit that we gain access to the mind of God.
Paul introduces another contradiction — the inability of human wisdom to unveil the mind of God. Instead, this profound wisdom is imparted to those who are “spiritual.” Here, “spiritual” does not measure the quality of one’s Christianity but designates whether a person is born of the Spirit and instructed by Him.
Verse 14 highlights the stark divide between the natural, or human, person and the spiritual individual. The natural person, devoid of the Spirit, remains incapable of comprehending the truths embedded in the mind of God. To them, these truths appear as folly.
In contrast, the spiritual person, according to Paul’s assumption, enjoys a close communion with God, resulting in discernment in all matters. Their unity with God permeates their thoughts, will, understanding, and actions.
Verse 16 serves as a powerful summary of the Spirit’s role. The Spirit, who intimately knows the Father, has brought believers into and embedded within them the mind of Christ. This union with the divine, facilitated by the Spirit, grants access to a wisdom and understanding that transcend the limitations of human intellect.
In First Corinthians Chapter 2, we unearth profound insights into divine wisdom, the transformative power of the Spirit, and the mind of Christ. Paul’s narrative, laden with contradictions and revelations, invites us to transcend human limitations and embrace the divine. As we reflect on these spiritual treasures, we are challenged to choose between the wisdom of the world and the profound, hidden wisdom unveiled by the Spirit — a choice that shapes our understanding of God’s mind and our journey in faith.
