NOT WITH EXCELLENCY OF SPEECH OR OF WISDOM (ου καθ' υπεροχην λογου η σοφιας). Hυπεροχη is an old word from the verb υπερεχω (Philippians 4:7) and means preeminence, rising above. In N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 2:2 of magistrates. It occurs in inscriptions of Pergamum for persons of position (Dei... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANYTHING AMONG YOU (ου γαρ εκρινα τ ειδενα εν υμιν). Literally, "For I did not decide to know anything among you." The negative goes with εκρινα, not with τ. Paul means that he did not think it fit or his business to know anything for his message beyond this "mystery... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS WITH YOU (εγενομην προς υμας). Rather, "I came to you" (not ην, was). "I not only eschewed all affectation of cleverness or grandiloquence, but I went to the opposite extreme of diffidence and nervous self-effacement" (Robertson and Plummer). Paul had been in prison in Philippi, driven out... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT IN PERSUASIVE WORDS OF WISDOM (ουκ εν πιθοις σοφιας λογοις). This looks like a false disclaimer or mock modesty, for surely the preacher desires to be persuasive. This adjective πιθος (MSS. πειθος) has not yet been found elsewhere. It seems to be formed directly from πειθω, to persuade, as φε... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOUR FAITH SHOULD NOT STAND (ινα η πιστις υμων μη η). Purpose of God, but μη η is "not be" merely. The only secure place for faith to find a rest is in God's power, not in the wisdom of men. One has only to instance the changing theories of men about science, philosophy, religion, politics t... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THE PERFECT (εν τοις τελειοις). Paul is not here drawing a distinction between exoteric and esoteric wisdom as the Gnostics did for their initiates, but simply to the necessary difference in teaching for babes (1 Corinthians 3:1) and adults or grown men (common use of τελειος for relative pe... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S WISDOM IN A MYSTERY (θεου σοφιαν εν μυστηριω). Two points are here sharply made. It is God's wisdom (note emphatic position of the genitive θεου) in contrast to the wisdom of this age. Every age of the world has a conceit of its own and it is particularly true of this twentieth century, but... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWETH (εγνωκεν). Has known, has discerned, perfect active indicative of γινωσκω. They have shown amazing ignorance of God's wisdom.FOR HAD THEY KNOWN IT (ε γαρ εγνωσαν). Condition of the second class, determined as unfulfilled, with aorist active indicative in both condition (εγνωσαν) and con... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS IT IS WRITTEN (αλλα καθως γεγραπτα). Elliptical sentence like Romans 15:3 where γεγονεν (it has happened) can be supplied. It is not certain where Paul derives this quotation as Scripture. Origen thought it a quotation from the _Apocalypse of Elias_ and Jerome finds it also in the _Ascensio... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT UNTO US GOD REVEALED THEM (ημιν γαρ απεκαλυψεν ο θεος). So with γαρ B 37 Sah Cop read instead of δε of Aleph A C D. " Δε is superficially easier; γαρ intrinsically better" (Findlay). Paul explains why this is no longer hidden, "for God revealed unto us" the wonders of grace pictured in verse... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWETH (οιδεν, εγνωκεν). Second perfect of root ιδ-, to see and so know, first perfect of γινωσκω, to know by personal experience, has come to know and still knows. See First John for a clear distinction in the use of οιδα and γινωσκω.THE SPIRIT OF MAN THAT IS IN HIM (το πνευμα του ανθρωπου το... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE (ημεις δε). We Christians likeUS (ημιν) in verse 1 Corinthians 2:10 of the revelation, but particularly Paul and the other apostles.RECEIVED (ελαβομεν). Second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω and so a definite event, though the constative aorist may include various stages.NOT THE S... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH THINGS ALSO WE SPEAK (α κα λαλουμεν). This onomatopoetic verb λαλεω (from λα-λα), to utter sounds. In the papyri the word calls more attention to the form of utterance while λεγω refers more to the substance. But λαλεω in the N.T. as here is used of the highest and holiest speech. Undoubtedl... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE NATURAL MAN (ψυχικος δε ανθρωπος). Note absence of article here, "A natural man" (an unregenerate man). Paul does not employ modern psychological terms and he exercises variety in his use of all the terms here present as πνευμα and πνευματικοσ, ψυχη and ψυχικοσ, σαρξ and σαρκινος and σαρκ... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGETH ALL THINGS (ανακρινε παντα). The spiritual man (ο πνευματικος) is qualified to sift, to examine, to decide rightly, because he has the eyes of his heart enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) and is no longer blinded by the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). There is a great lesson for Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHO HATH KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD (Τις γαρ εγνω νουν Κυριου;). Quotation from Isaiah 40:13.THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM (ος συνβιβασε αυτον). This use of ος (relativeWHO ) is almost consecutive (result). The πνευματικος man is superior to others who attempt even to instruct God himself.... [ Continue Reading ]