Ministry of Grace Church

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!