01.03. The Depths Of God's Wisdom
The Depths Of God’s Wisdom In 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 we find some remarkable teaching in connection with God’s eternal purpose for His children, for "those who love God". This term is also used in Romans 8:1-39, and in that chapter we get a glimpse of God’s eternal plan of salvation, as He purposed it in Himself for His own. They are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. As Christians we have been brought into this particular relationship of love with God as His children and as brethren of the Lord Jesus, and so we are the special objects of His plans and purposes. God - in His love - takes care of us in a perfect way, assuring us that we shall reach the glorious goal. Our assurance is that God is for us, and that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:28-31). In 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, however, Paul does not treat the subject of God’s eternal plans from the point of view of the divine care and certainty, but from that of the divine wisdom. Because of the poor spiritual state of the Corinthians and their reliance on worldly wisdom, he can, in fact, only touch upon these things. As part of his struggle against their worldly wisdom, he can only mention these things in passing. Moreover, God’s plans and counsels are not his specific subject here, as for instance in the Epistle to the Ephesians. In First Corinthians, man’s responsibility is emphasized, as well as his failure in his responsibility.
Yet in 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 the apostle speaks about God’s eternal plans and thoughts in a very striking way. These plans are indeed the result of God’s wisdom, they originate in a wisdom which far exceeds the wisdom of this world and its rulers. But there is more. These plans of God’s wisdom spring from His heart. They are the result of God’s love for His children. They are eternal plans of love on behalf of the objects of His love, God’s children who are so closely linked with Him that they are those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The character of these plans, of this intimate divine wisdom, is described here as follows:
It is a wisdom completely unknown to this world (1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8).
Being God’s wisdom, it is a hidden wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7 a).
It is the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory (1 Corinthians 2:7 b).
Then we find what this wisdom embraces:
All the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
The deep things (or, depths) of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
The things (or, thoughts) of God (1 Corinthians 2:11).
The things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).
Spiritual things (or, thoughts) communicated by spiritual words or means (1 Corinthians 2:13).