1 Corinthians 2:6

Σοφίαν δὲ λαλοῦμεν κ. τ. λ.: “(there is) a wisdom, however, (that) we speak amongst the full-grown”. The anarthrous, predicative σοφίαν asserts that to be “wisdom” which in ironical deference to the world has been styled “folly” (1 Corinthians 1:21 ff.). ἐν τοῖς τελείοις, the mature, the initiates (opp [329] to νήπιοι, παιδία, 1 Corinthians 3:1; 1 Corinthians 14:20; see parls.) = πνευματικοὶ in contrast with the relatively σάρκινοι (1 Corinthians 3:1; cf. note on μυστήριον, 1 Corinthians 2:7). “The curtain must be lifted with a caution measured by the spiritual intelligence of the spectators, ἐπόπται ” (Ev [330]). This τελειότης the Cor [331] had by no means reached; hence they failed to see where the real wisdom of the Gospel lay, and estimated its ministers by worldly standards. ἐν signifies not to, nor in relation to, but amongst the qualified hearers in such a circle P. freely expounded deeper truths. λαλέω (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 2:13), to utter, speak out: P. uses the pl [332] not thinking of Sosthenes in particular (1 Corinthians 1:1), but of his fellow-preachers generally, including Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:23, and 1 Corinthians 15:11, etc. 1 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6).

[329] opposite, opposition.

[330] T. S. Evans in Speaker's Commentary.

[331] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[332] plural.

The “wisdom” uttered in such company is defined first negatively: “but a wisdom not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, that are being brought to nought”. For αἰών, see note to 1 Corinthians 1:20; it connotes the transitory nature of the world-powers (1 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 1:28; cf. 1 Corinthians 7:31; 2 Corinthians 4:18; also 1 John 2:17; 1 Peter 1:24 ff.). The ἄρχοντες τ. αἰῶνος τούτου were taken by Marcion, Or [333], and other ancients, to be the angelic, or demonic (Satanic), rulers of the nations sc. the “princes” of Daniel 10-12, and Jewish angelology, the κοσμοκράτορες τ. σκότους τούτου of Ephesians 6:12 (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11 where ἄρχων is applied to Satan; also Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53, touching the office of angels in the Lawgiving): so Sm [334], after F. C. Baur “the angels who preside over the various departments of the world, the Law in particular, but possess no perfect insight into the counsels of God, and lose their dominion from which they take their name of ἀρχαί (= ἄρχοντες) with the end of the world (1 Corinthians 15:24)”; see also, at length, Everling, Die Paulin. Angelologie u. Dämonologie, pp. 11 ff. But these super-terrestrial potentates could not, without explanation, be charged with the crucifixion of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:8); on the other hand, 1 Corinthians 1:27 ff. shows P. to be thinking in this connexion of human powers. Unless otherwise defined, οἱ ἄρχοντες denotes “the rulers” of common speech, those, e.g., of Romans 13:3; Luke 23:35. On τῶν καταργουμένων, see note to 1 Corinthians 1:17 (κενόω), 1Co 1:28, 1 Corinthians 15:24, and other parls. The Jewish rulers, whose overthrow is certain and near (1 Thessalonians 2:16; Romans 9:22; Romans 9:11), are aimed at, as being primarily answerable for the death of Jesus (cf. Acts 13:27 f.); but P. foresaw the supersession of all existing world-powers by the Messianic kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:24; cf. Romans 11:15; Acts 17:7); the pr [335] ptp [336], perhaps, implies a “gradual nullification of their potency brought about by the Gospel” (El [337]). P. cannot have meant by οἱ ἄρχοντες the leaders of thought (as Thd [338], Thp [339], Neander suppose, because of the association with σοφία); he held a broad, practical conception of wisdom (sagacity) as shown in power; the secular rulers, wise in their own way but not in God's, must come to nought. Statecraft, equally with philosophy, failed when tested by the cross.

[333] Origen.

[334] P. Schmiedel, in Handcommentar zum N.T. (1893).

[335] present tense.

[336] participle

[337] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[338] Theodoret, Greek Commentator.

[339] Theophylact, Greek Commentator.