Category: 1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:16 – Understanding God’s Wisdom

Posted on by Will

For "Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christians can understand the wisdom of God, with His help.

Behind the Words

“Known” is translated from ginōskō, which we saw back in verse fourteen. It can mean “to come to know” or “to understand.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating past completed action.

The word translated “mind” in both instances of this verse is nous. This word can refer to the intellect or understanding. In general it is used to refer to “the brain” or “the mind.”

Sumbibadzō is the Greek verb translated “instruct.” It is composed of sun, meaning “together” and bibadzō, meaning “to lift up” or “to exalt.” It basically means “to unite” or “to join together.” Metaphorically it means “to put together in the mind” or “to instruct.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is now finishing this part of his message with a literary exclamation point by quoting the Prophet Isaiah. In today’s verse he paraphrases, in a summary form, what the prophet said in the well-known fortieth chapter of the book of Isaiah:

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? (Isaiah 40:13-14)

In his letter to the Romans, Paul said:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)

You may recall that in this second chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul has been talking about the natural man’s inability to understand the formerly secret things of God’s wisdom. A couple of verses back he said:

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

What arrogance on the part of man that he thinks he can know God or understand his ways by observation and logical reasoning! The reason a natural man can’t understand spiritual things is because such things can only be understood with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Without the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, the deep things of God’s wisdom appear to be foolishness.

On the other hand, he who is spiritual (a mature Christian) understands God’s wisdom because it has been revealed to him (or her) by the Spirit. Therefore, Paul can say, “We have the mind (or understanding) of Christ.”

Application

No one can be debated or argued into believing the gospel message or God’s plans for mankind. As you witness to those around you, remember to pray for the right words to say and for God’s Spirit to open the understanding of those to whom you declare the Gospel. And, keep in mind that we are not responsible for saving others, only for witnessing to them. We are to declare the message. Salvation is of the Lord!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:15 – The Spiritual Christian

Posted on by Will

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Truth to Learn

A spiritual Christian is one who is under God’s control.

Behind the Words

The words “he who is spiritual” are translated from the Greek adjective pneumatikos. This word is derived from pneuma, which itself is derived from the verb pneuō, meaning “to breathe.” Pneuma refers to “air in motion,” that is “a breath,” “a breeze,” or “wind.” In Genesis 2:7, God breathed into Adam the “breath of life.” In the New Testament, pneuma is used as an expression of the rational spirit of man, the intellectual portion of man which distinguishes him from the lower animals. It is also used to describe the essence of beings who exist in the spiritual realm, separate from the physical realm. In this sense, it describes beings who communicate with the God of creation and other spirit beings. Therefore, pneumatikos describes those who have a spiritual relationship with God.

“No one” is translated from oudeis, which is composed of ou, the absolute negative particle and heis, the number “one.” Thus, oudeis literally means “not even one” or “no one.”

Meaning Explained

As we said in yesterday’s verse study, Paul is contrasting “a natural man” with “a spiritual man.” A natural man is someone who lives in the sphere of the soul, the physical and emotional world of nature. This person is controlled by physical appetites, physical pleasure, human intellect, and emotion. In contrast, a spiritual man is someone who lives in the sphere of the spirit of God. This person is controlled by a relationship with God through His Holy Spirit. As we learned in yesterday’s verse, a natural man can’t understand the things of God’s spirit (they are foolishness to him), because such things can only be examined or discerned by the Spirit of God.

Paul’s expression, “he who is spiritual” is a reference to someone who communicates with and is controlled by the Spirit of God. It is not simply a reference to someone who is saved, however. Christians, those who have God’s Spirit within, have a choice that unsaved people don’t have. They can choose to live under the control of the Holy Spirit or under the control of their lower, physical and emotional nature. In the next few verses, Paul will describe those who obey their lower nature as carnal:

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ … For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1, 3)

In today’s verse, Paul tells us that the Christians who communicate with and are under the control of the Holy Spirit are able to judge (examine and discern) all things. These people have spiritual insight that a natural man or a carnal man doesn’t have. Paul also tells us that mature Christians (those who are spiritual rather than carnal) are judged by no one. In other words, no one can rightly discern the thinking, attitudes, and motives of someone who is controlled by the Spirit of God.

Application

If you are a Christian, then you are different than someone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. However, you have a choice to be controlled by your own emotions and desires or by the Spirit of God. Who is in control of your life?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:14 – The Truth Revealed

Posted on by Will

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Truth to Learn

Christians understand the Bible because of the Holy Spirit.

Behind the Words

The word translated “natural” is psuchikos, which is based on psuchō, meaning “to breathe” or “to blow.” In this sense, psuchikos is very similar to pneumatikos (like a blast of air or a breeze). The distinction is between a natural breath and a spiritual breath. In Greek writings, man is distinguished from animals in that he has a psuchē (often translated as “soul”), the ability to reason and communicate. In the New Testament, especially here, psuchē (soul) is distinguished from pneuma (spirit), in that the latter implies the ability to reason and communicate in the realm of the divine.

“Receive” is from dechomai, which means “to take to oneself that which is offered by someone else.” The closest English words to translate dechomai are “accept” or “receive.”

Dunamai is the Greek word translated “can.” It refers to the ability or power to do something.

The word “know” is from ginōskō, which can mean “to come to know” or “to understand.” The expression “nor can he know” in today’s verse could be translated as “he does not have the ability to understand.”

“Discerned” is from anakrinō. This word fundamentally means “to examine” or “to scrutinize.” In a judicial sense, it is used of examining a witness in order to determine the facts.

Meaning Explained

In this chapter, Paul is defending his style of preaching and teaching, showing the distinction between his style and the style of the leaders and orators of the world system. In verse two he says, “my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

Then, in yesterday’s verse, he said that his own words were not words of man’s wisdom, but those which the Holy Spirit of God teaches. Now he explains why the preaching of the truth from God’s word is looked on by the world around us as foolishness. In this verse and the next, he declares that there are two types of people in this world: “the natural man” (literally “a natural man”) and “he who is spiritual.” A natural man is someone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is God or that His death on the cross paid for our sins (he’s not a Christian).

Because he does not believe in this truth, a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. Instead, the things taught by the Holy Spirit are foolishness to him. Notice that Paul does not say that they seem like foolishness, but that they are foolishness. He also teaches us why such things are foolishness to unsaved people. A natural man does not have the ability to know (or understand) spiritual truths because such truths can only be examined and ascertained by the Spirit who lives within us (the Holy Spirit of God).

Application

Have you ever been reading your Bible not understanding what it was saying? Did you pray to God to reveal the spiritual truths being taught there? When was the last time you thanked God for revealing the truth to you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:13 – Inspired Word of God

Posted on by Will

These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Truth to Learn

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Believe it!

Behind the Words

“Speak” is translated from the verb laleō. This word refers to the use of words in speech or writing. It is a reference to the ability to communicate rather than the quality of it.

“Words” is from the Greek noun logos, which refers to a word itself or an expression of intelligent thought.

Sugkrinō is the verb translated “comparing.” It is made up of sun, meaning “together” and krinō, which means “to judge, distinguish, or separate.” Sugkrinō originally meant “to combine,” then later it meant “to separate” or “to distinguish,” and then “to compare” or “to explain.”

The words “spiritual things” and “spiritual” are both from the Greek adjective pneumatikos. The first usage of the word here is structured as a neuter direct object (the object of the verb “comparing”). As a result, it refers to “spiritual things.” The other use of pneumatikos here is structured as an indirect object which is normally translated with the added prepositions “in,” “to,” “by,” or “with.” Here it has the form of either a neuter indirect object (spiritual things) or a masculine indirect object, since they both have the same form. The gender of the indirect object indicates what it is referring to. If neuter, it has to refer to a neuter noun. If masculine, however, it has to refer to a masculine noun.

Meaning Explained

The first part of this verse is fairly clear. You will recall that Paul has compared the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God and in doing so has compared his own preaching style with the obscure style of the philosophers, sophists, and rabbis. He clearly states that in conveying these formerly secret truths to us, the apostles did not use words of their own choosing or words dictated by man's wisdom. Rather, they used the very words which the Holy Spirit taught them to use. This is a clear statement that not only the subject matter of Biblical teaching is inspired, but that even the very words used by the writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit. This is why we take so much time and care in these studies to look at the very words used.

The second half of this verse is difficult to translate into English because of the words sugkrinō and pneumatikos, as explained above. As a result, there are numerous differing translations. The two translations that seem to make the most sense, given what Paul has been talking about, are: “Explaining spiritual things to spiritual men” and “comparing spiritual things with spiritual things (or words).” In the first and second century the church leaders believed that Paul’s meaning was, “comparing the things which were written by the Spirit of the Old Testament with what is now revealed to us by the same Spirit, and confirming doctrine by them.” Given what Paul has been talking about, this seems to make good sense.

Application

Even though the Bible was penned by human writers, it is the Word of God. As such, it is inspired and without error in the original documents. Therefore, we can believe what it teaches us and we can base our earthly lives and eternal future on what it teaches. God’s Word is truth!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

To see all of our verse studies, visit http://www.ministryofgrace.org

1 Corinthians 2:12 – Free and Undeserved

Posted on by Will

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Truth to Learn

God freely reveals Himself to Christians through His Spirit.

Behind the Words

Lambanō is the Greek word translated “we have received.” It means “to take.” However, it is sometimes used in the sense of “to receive that which is given.” This seems to be the meaning that Paul is expressing here. It is written here in the aorist tense, indicating past completed action.

The words “we might know” are from the Greek verb eidō, which we saw in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to know” or “to understand.” It is written here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of it happening.

“Have been freely given” is the translation of the verb charidzomai. It is derived from charis, meaning “a favor done without pre-condition or expectation of anything in return.” Therefore, charidzomai means “to give freely, not under any obligation and without expectation.” It is expressed here in the passive voice, indicating something done to or for us.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the mystery of God’s wisdom in His plan of salvation. He told us that this mystery is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit . Also, he has been comparing God’s wisdom with the “wisdom” of the world system around us. He now says that the Spirit which we have received from God is distinctly different from the spirit of the world because, as we learned in yesterday's verse, only the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God.

If we look carefully at this section of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we will see that he talks about three aspects of the working of the Holy Spirit. In verses ten and eleven he talked about the work of revelation of the things of God. In this verse and the next he talks about the work of inspiration in our knowing and communicating the things of God. And, in verses fourteen through sixteen he will talk about the work of illumination regarding the things of God.

There has been some discussion over the centuries as to specifically who Paul is referring to as “we” in the first part of this verse. Some believe that he is only referring to the apostles to whom these truths were initially revealed and who wrote them down for our edification. This seems to be the main emphasis in what Paul is saying here. However, it is equally true that the Holy Spirit performs these works in every Christian in revealing God’s truth to us, in inspiring us with the right words to say as we share these truths to others, and in illuminating our minds and the minds of those to whom we communicate God’s word.

In whatever manner we interpret these works of the Holy Spirit; it is clear that the revelation of the mystery of the gospel message is yet another gift to us from God. More importantly, this gift is given, not because we have done anything to earn it, but because He chose to do so.

Application

When was the last time you thanked God for making Himself known to you? He didn’t have to and we certainly haven’t done anything to deserve it. Let’s give Him thanks right now!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:11 – Revealer Of Secrets

Posted on by Will

For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Truth to Learn

The Holy Spirit reveals God to Christians.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “what” is tis. This is an interrogative pronoun that introduces an interrogative phrase (a phrase asking a question). It can be translated as “who,” “which,” or “what.”

In each case, the words translated “man” are from anthropos, which refers to a human being or to mankind as a whole. The first occurrence of this word in today’s verse, unlike the others, is written in the plural.

“Knows” is from the Greek verb eidō, which means “to see with perception.” Used metaphorically, as it is here, it refers to mental perception and can be translated as “to know,” “to be aware of,” or “to understand.”

The phrase “the spirit of the man which is in him” can be literally translated as “the spirit of the man, the one in him.”

“No one” is translated from oudeis, which we saw back in verse eight. It means “no one” or “not a single one.” In this case, it can refer to “no human” or “no being of any kind.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul made a very bold statement. He said that the Spirit of God has now revealed the secret of God’s wisdom in His plan of salvation. He now explains why it was necessary for the Spirit to reveal this secret to us.

The opening phrase of this verse actually reads a little differently from what our translation (NKJV) gives. It literally reads, “for who of men …” The NIV and NASB have a better rendering of this phrase: “For who among men …” This may seem a little picky here, but the distinction is important. Paul is not saying, “what man knows his own inner thoughts and motives, except his own spirit.” Rather, he is saying “what man knows the inner thoughts and motives of another person except the inner spirit of that person.”

Paul’s point is that none of us knows the inner workings (the thoughts, the plans, the wisdom) of anyone else, and certainly none of us knows the thoughts, plans, or wisdom of God except as they are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. The leaders of this age, the philosophers, the sophists, the “holy” men of the world think they can learn about God through their own efforts. But, Paul very clearly tells us here that the only way to really know God is for Him to reveal Himself to us by His Holy Spirit.

It’s sort of like an animal trying to understand the thought processes and motives of a man. By itself, it doesn’t have the ability to understand us. However, we can teach animals to understand us if we so desire. The Holy Spirit of God is just as important to our salvation as the Father and the Son. The Father chose us, the Son gave His life for us, and the Holy Spirit empowers us and teaches us.

Application

Do you want to know God more intimately? If so, you have to let His Spirit talk to you through prayer and through the reading and studying of your Bible.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:10 – The Spirit Reveals

Posted on by Will

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Truth to Learn

The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the gospel to Christians.

Behind the Words

“Has revealed” is translated from the verb apokaluptō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and kaluptō, meaning “to cover” or “to conceal.” Therefore, we see that apokaluptō means “to uncover” or “to reveal.”

The words “to us” are from the first person plural personal pronoun humin, meaning “to us, by us, or in us.” As we have mentioned before, word order is important in Greek. In the Greek text, this is the first word in this sentence, indicating special emphasis on this word.

“Searches” is from the Greek verb ereunaō, which means “to search into,” “to investigate,” or “to explore.”

The words “all things” are from the Greek word pas, meaning “all” or “every.” It is expressed in the neuter person, so it refers to “all things” or “everything.”

Bathē is the Greek word translated “deep things.” It refers to something that is deep, like the ocean. Metaphorically, it refers to something that is very great or profound.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about God’s wisdom in His plan of salvation. This truth is hidden from the minds and hearts of natural man but is now being revealed to those who believe God’s truth. You may recall that Paul told us that “the rulers of this age” did not, and do not, understand the wisdom of God. Instead, they think they are wise in their own reasonings, which God sees as foolishness. In yesterday’s verse we were told that the natural mind of man cannot understand God’s wisdom. But now, we learn why Christians can understand this wisdom.

We are told here that the understanding of God’s plan of salvation is revealed to us (those who believe His truth regarding the substitutionary death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God) by His Spirit. When Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people, He thanked the Father for hiding these truths from the “wise and prudent” and for revealing them to us:

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes." (Matthew 11:25)

Notice that our salvation is the work of all three persons of the godhead. The father chose us (Ephesians 1:3, 4; 1 Peter 1:2), the Son gave His life for us (1 Thessalonians 4:14), and the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us (1 Corinthians 2:10, John 16:12-14). Also notice that even though Christ’s death was sufficient to pay the penalty for everyone’s sins, without the Father having chosen us and the Holy Spirit having revealed the truth to us, we could not be saved.

Application

These truths about our election, God’s choice to save us and the revealing of this truth to us by the Holy Spirit, are hard to accept by many Christians. Instead, they want to believe that salvation is based on their own choice to believe the truth. However, the Bible clearly teaches that our salvation is God’s work, not our own. This should cause us to be humbly grateful.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:9 – They Can’t Understand

Posted on by Will

But as it is written: "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him."

Truth to Learn

Natural man can’t understand the mystery of salvation.

Behind the Words

The words “it is written” are translated from the Greek verb graphō, which literally means “to grave,” that is, to carve or to write. It is written here in the perfect tense, so it means “it was written in the past and, therefore, it is written (as a confirmed statement of fact).”

“Seen” is from a form of the verb horaō, which means “to see” or “to perceive.”

“Heard” is from akouō, which means “to hear something.” It is often used metaphorically, as it is here, to refer to someone understanding the truth of what is said.

The words “entered into” are from the verb anabainō, which literally means “to go up.”

Eis is the word translated “into.” It literally means “into.”

The word “prepared” is translated from hetoimadzō. This verb means “to make ready” or “to prepare.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one that is often misunderstood. Many people think that it is a reference to the things in heaven which God has prepared for believers. This is precisely the problem that occurs when we quote verses out of context. If we look carefully at the context of this verse, we learn that Paul is not talking about heaven, but about something entirely different.

Upon looking at the preceding verses, we see that Paul is talking about the mystery of God’s wisdom regarding the gospel. He even contrasts that mystery with the secrets of some false religions. The difference between the mystery of God’s wisdom and the secrets of the mystery religions is the fact that this mystery is now openly revealed. In tomorrow’s verse, Paul will tell us that the things spoken of in today’s verse have already been revealed by the Holy Spirit.

The glories of heaven had not yet been fully revealed. There is a brief description of the heavenly scene found in Revelation chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, but the book of Revelation had not yet been written when Paul wrote these words. So, Paul is not referring to heaven in today’s verse; he is talking about the wonder of salvation through faith and the glorious fellowship we have with God as a result.

He tells us three things about the mystery that is now revealed. The first is that the eyes of natural man have not perceived it, the ears of natural man have not understood it, and the deepest part of natural man’s being (the heart) has not received it. The reason that the natural man (one who has not accepted the gospel message by faith and, therefore, does not truly love God) is explained by Paul in tomorrow’s verse.

Application

The gospel message and fellowship with God cannot be grasped by human intellect alone. This understanding only comes once we have believed God’s truth about what Jesus Christ did on the cross. We can’t logically argue anyone into believing. We can only witness and pray. The rest is up to God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 2:8 – Acts of Ignorance

Posted on by Will

which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Truth to Learn

Christians should not be ignorant of God’s wise plan.

Behind the Words

“None” is translated from oudeis. This Greek word is made up of ou, which is the word of absolute negation, and heis, meaning the number one. Hence, oudeis literally means “not a single one.”

Archon is the word translated “rulers.” Back in verse six we saw that this word means “one who is first in rank or power,” that is, a ruler. There are two possible interpretations to this expression, which we will talk about later in today’s verse.

The word translated “knew” is from the Greek verb ginōskō. This word means “to know” either in a beginning sense of in a completed sense. It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect. Thus we can think of this as “they did not come to know in the past and as a result, they are ignorant of the fact even now.”

“Crucified” is from the verb stauroō, which means “to impale on a stick or to hang on a cross.”

Meaning Explained

In the past couple of verses, Paul has been talking about the wisdom of God in His plan of salvation. In yesterday’s verse he talked about it as a mystery, one that has been hidden in the past, but that is now revealed. He contrasted it with the secrets of the mystery religions that were only revealed to those who had been fully initiated into those religions. The central truth of the gospel, that Jesus is the Messiah come to save the world by offering up His sinless life, was hidden in the past.

The Jews of the first century were waiting for their Messiah and they expected that He could come at any time. However, they were looking for a powerful conquering King who would save them from the oppression of the Romans. Instead, He came as a humble servant, wholly committed to doing the will of His Father. This included His paying the penalty for the sins of all of mankind by offering up His own innocent blood. Instead of welcoming their Messiah King, the Jews and their religious leaders crucified Him because He claimed equality with God. They did not know the truth. They were ignorant of God’s wise plan as they crucified Him:

Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. (Acts 3:17)

If they had known, Paul tells us in today’s verse, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

The expression “rulers of this age” in today’s verse may have a dual meaning. On the surface, it refers to the political and religious leaders who condemned Christ to the cross. However, Paul may also have been referring to the rulers of the spiritual darkness of this age, Satan and his demons. In a very real sense, they exert a strong influence on what is happening in the world system today. Had they known that killing the Messiah was part of God’s wise plan, they might not have done it.

Application

Are you ignorant of God’s wisdom? Or do you understand God’s plan and proclaim the truth to those around you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 2:7 – No More Mystery

Posted on by Will

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

Truth to Learn

Christians are to openly proclaim the good news to everyone.

Behind the Words

“Mystery” is transliterated (a word taken directly from one language to another) from the Greek noun mustērion. It is derived from the verb muō, meaning “to shut the mouth.” In the first century a mustērion involved a hidden “truth” that was only revealed as part of an initiation. In the New Testament, mustērion identifies something which was hidden in the past, but which is now openly revealed to everyone.

The Greek word translated “hidden” is apokruptō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and the verb kruptō, meaning “to hide.” Thus, apokruptō means “to hide away” or “to conceal.”

Prooridzō is the word translated “ordained.” It is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before, in position or time” and horidzō, meaning “to determine or appoint.” Therefore, we see that prooridzō literally means “to determine ahead of time.”

Meaning Explained

From the first century BC through the second or third century AD, Greek and Roman societies were heavily influenced by mystery religions. The three most prevalent were the cult of the Syrian goddess Cybele (known as the Magna Mater, or “Great Mother”), the cult of the mother-goddess Isis and her son Osiris (having originated in Egypt), and the cult of Mithra, which began in Persia. All of these religions shared several common themes: the central god of the religious cult was miraculously born, this god provided protection in this world and immortality in the after-life, and full participation was accomplished only after multiple initiations in which hidden knowledge was revealed to the initiates. It is no wonder that many in the Roman world pictured Christianity as simply another of these mystery religions.

In today’s verse and those following, Paul shows how Christianity is different from all of the mystery religions. He starts off his explanation by showing that Christianity also involves a mystery, the wisdom of God. However, in verse ten he will declare that the mystery is now openly revealed through the Spirit of God. This is something that the mystery religions would never do. He also goes on to show that this mystery and its revelation to all of mankind was part of God’s plan from the beginning. The gods of the mystery religions had to perform some act in order to obtain their divine status. They were subject to the workings of fate. Our God is in control of all things. He was divine from the beginning and reveals Himself to all of mankind as part of His eternal plan.

Paul’s purpose seems to be to distinguish Christian faith from cultic devotion by showing that this mystery is fully revealed to all in the person of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is the sole requirement for salvation, not a series of ritualistic initiations.

Application

The central truth of Christianity is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, the sinless one for the sinners. It is not a mystery and we are not to keep it to ourselves. We are commanded to openly proclaim the truth. 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved