the wisdom of God in a mystery The distinction between faith wisdomand knowledgein St Paul's writings would appear to be this. Faithis the fundamental principle of Christianity, whereby the life of God in Christ is received into the heart; wisdomis the power of insight into things Divine revealed to faith; knowledgethe effect of Christian experience and study upon him who possesses the life of faith. For mysterysee ch. 1 Corinthians 4:1.

hidden Not only from men but also from angels and heavenly powers. See Romans 16:25; Eph 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

which God ordained before the world Literally, before the ages. Cf. Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26; Revelation 13:8. The whole scheme of man's redemption was in the mind of God from all eternity. The fall of man and his restoration, the wondrous fact of salvation through Christ, were decreed in the counsels of the Most High before the world was.

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