1 Corinthians 2 reminds me of those rare interactions when we can look past the outward appearance of an individual and see their heart. In those moments we connect on a different level. We listen without bias. We understand with our inner being. Paul describes that part of us as our spirit. Today’s lesson is about making a spiritual connection. He continues his letter to the Believers in Corinth: “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom.” There are times when people talk at us in fancy slogans while we are trying to survive the day. He says he “resolved to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” That means his attitude was of humility and openness. He did not condemn or accuse. Paul spoke about our common ground of insufficiency. His confidence was in God’s plan of redemption. Paul had immense reverence for God. “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.” I believe Paul’s concern was not interfering with the message of salvation through faith. He was a skilled debater, but he was called to win hearts, not arguments. He says he came “not with wise and persuasive words”, but as a personal “demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” God’s Holy Spirit gave Paul awareness beyond himself, and prepared the hearer to receive the Word. Paul became an instrument for ministry.
He explains that he does “speak a message of wisdom”, but “not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age.” This is the day of Man. The wisdom of this day still focuses on self-promotion and pride. Advertisers, con-men and social media thrive on our endless fascination with appearance. For many today, God’s wisdom is “a mystery that has been hidden.” It is written for all to see: “that God destined for our glory before time began.” But Paul adds, “None of the rulers of this age understood it.” He offers a simple proof: “if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Those with power keep that power by maintaining the illusion that they can provide all our needs, or punish any resistors. Messing with that perception is a threat. Weak human kings always resort to persecution.
The chapter closes with a reminder that God sees each of us as individuals. Paul quotes Isaiah 64, referencing those that wait in hope for the Deliverer. The human mind can hardly conceive of “the things God has prepared for those who love Him… God has revealed to us by His Spirit.” Paul makes an analogy: “Who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?” That is, we can’t know for sure what motivates a person. In the same way, “no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” Paul explains: “God has freely given us” His Spirit that we may understand. Paul notes that he spoke “not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit.” There must be a willingness to hear the heart of God. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.” Those that cling to the wisdom of this age consider Paul’s teaching “foolishness, and cannot understand them.” Remember, Paul is writing to the church. He is not insulting non-believers, but holding followers of Christ to a higher standard. “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things.” This is internal, not external. He is not saying we are to point out the sin of every sinner. He is saying we are to allow the Spirit to guide us in our behavior and speech. He adds we are “not subject to merely human judgments”, but additionally we represent God’s grace to everyone. Paul concludes, “we have the mind of Christ.” To me that means we are to humbly offer hope to the hopeless, and mercy to the downtrodden. Friend, the Holy Spirit of God is waiting for you to call.