Paul had spoken much about true wisdom in 1.19-27, and continues to do so in the second chapter. The Corinthians, being Greeks, gave high regard to wisdom. They had to learn that true wisdom was from God, and they had to learn what that wisdom meant.

v1-5: Our preaching and the manner in which we present the message of Christ must reflect the truths and character of God; the message of Christ is consistent with the works of the Spirit, but not consistent with human wisdom and strategy.

v1: Eloquence is not the measure of our preaching; although esteemed by men, it is not consistent with the testimony of God, and may actually detract from the truth of Christ.

v2: Our message is simple, "Jesus Christ and Him crucified". This is our confidence, for it is the only message that saves (Acts 4.12).We may be accused of narrow-mindedness or single-mindedness, but we glory in the cross of Christ, as Paul did (Gal 6.14).

v3: Paul, the mighty man, of vast intellect, exceptional in learning, multi-lingual, etc., had no confidence in his own abilities.

v4: There may be a temptation to use "wise and persuasive words" but again this alters the beauty and simplicity of the message. Only through the truthful proclamation of the message of Christ can there truly be a demonstration of the Spirit and His power.

v5: The result of faithful preaching is that those who believe are resting on God's power, which cannot fail, and not on man's wisdom or strength.

v6-10: The mystery of God revealed.

v6: The wisdom of this age is often a secret wisdom, known only to initiates. Elsewhere the N.T. addresses the issue of Gnosticism, in 1 John, Col, especially. This was an influence first century belief, a 'profound mysticism' (Bertrand Russell), characterised by ecstatic experience, often drunkenness and sexual immorality (see 6.9-11). Such wisdom is coming to nothing; compare Dan 2.45.

v7: God's hidden wisdom has been revealed through Jesus Christ; "preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world" (1 Tim 3.16). The revelation of Christ was ordained "before time began", before the clock of time started. Part of that revelation was that the church would share God's glory through Christ. Again, this is ground for confidence, as God has revealed what He had always planned.

v8: The rulers of this age, both religious and political, gathered together against Christ (Acts 4.23-28, quoting Ps 2.1-2); had they understood who Christ really was, they would not have done so.

v9: Man cannot naturally grasp the glory of God's salvation in Christ, such things cannot be known by looking and listening, Luke 17.20-21; the kingdom of God does not come with observation. But the word has been revealed, Acts 17.27-28; Rom 10.6-8, and is not far from us. The blessings of God are for those who love Him, having believed in Him, and received His love in Christ, poured out by the Holy Spirit into our lives.

v10: The great things that God has prepared for us can only be known by His Spirit, for He is the Spirit of Jesus Christ; this includes righteousness, holiness and redemption (1.30).

We can only continue to know God's riches by the same Spirit; see Gal 3.2-3. He reveals the deep things of God; "deep" means profound (see Rom 11.33). The Spirit teaches us (John 14.26; 16.13), "you know Him" (John 14.17), He opens our understanding (Luke 24.45), He opens our heart (Acts 16.14); for this is a spiritual work in our lives.

These verses also balance the Corinthian emphasis on certain spiritual gifts (addressed in ch 12; 14); The Holy Spirit does much in our lives, and we must not neglect the many works He does.

v11: Man has a spirit, which is his means of contact with God; through the Holy Spirit, our spirit can know God and communicate with Him.

v12: The Holy Spirit is not the only spirit. In Christ we receive the Holy Spirit from God; as elsewhere (e.g: Rom 8), the threefold Godhead is at work in our lives. It is through the Holy Spirit that we know the things of God; and these things are freely given to us by God; His super-abundant largesse.

In contrast is the spirit of the world which cannot know God.

v13: What we have learned we also speak; we must be careful to speak what the Spirit teaches us, not what human wisdom teaches.

We can test our words, comparing spiritual things with spiritual; thus we use the Scriptures with confidence, that here is God's word. The entirety of God's word is truth. ‘We must therefore diligently consult the meaning on the text, by comparing it with other the sayings of God; so shall we be better able to find out the mind of the Lord, in the word which he has given us to know it by.’ (John Bunyan, Come and welcome to Jesus Christ.)

This section from v7-13 is the simplest and clearest statement of the crucial doctrines of revelation and inspiration. 'Revelation is the act of communicating divine knowledge by the Spirit to the mind. Inspiration is the act of the same Spirit, controlling those who make the truth known to others.' (Jim Packer, God has spoken)

v14: Naturally man is ignorant of the truths of God; in fact the natural man regards these things as foolish. The natural man needs to be made spiritual by God; this is conversion, through repentance and faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, and change our thinking.

v15-16: "Judge", i.e; to discern; by the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to discern between God's truths and man's ideas; see 1 John 4.1-3. We have received the very mind of Christ, and can share His attitudes and way of thinking.