Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 2:6

"We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:" — 1 Corinthians 2:6 (ASV)

However. But, de. This commences the second head or argument in this chapter, in which Paul shows that if human wisdom is wanting in his preaching, it is not devoid of true, and solid, and even Divine wisdom.

We speak wisdom. We do not admit that we utter foolishness.

We have spoken of the foolishness of preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21), and of the estimate in which it was held by the world (1 Corinthians 1:22–28), and of our own manner among you as not laying claim to human learning or eloquence.

But we do not intend to admit that we have been really speaking folly. We have been uttering that which is truly wise, but which is seen and understood to be such only by those who have had it explained and defended—the plan of salvation by the cross of Christ.

Among them that are perfect (en tois teleiois). This word "perfect" is here evidently applied to Christians, as it is in Philippians 3:15: Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. It is clearly used to denote those who were advanced in Christian knowledge, who were qualified to understand the subject, who had made progress in the knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and who thus saw its excellence.

It does not mean here that they were sinless, for the apostle's argument does not bear on that inquiry. Instead, it means that they were qualified to understand the gospel, in contrast to the gross, the sensual, and the carnally-minded, who rejected it as foolishness.

There is, perhaps, here an allusion to the heathen mysteries, where those who had been fully initiated were said to be perfect—fully instructed in those rites and doctrines.

And if so, then this passage means that only those who have been fully instructed in the knowledge of the Christian religion will be qualified to see its beauty and its wisdom. The gross and sensual do not see it, and only those who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit are qualified to appreciate its beauty and its excellence.

Not the wisdom of this world. Not that which this world has originated or loved.

Nor of the princes of this world. This perhaps chiefly intends the rulers of the Jews here (see 1 Corinthians 2:8). They neither devised it, nor loved it, nor saw its wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:8).

That come to nought. That is, whose plans fail, whose wisdom vanishes, and who themselves, with all their pomp and splendor, come to nothing in the grave (compare to Isaiah 14).

All the plans of human wisdom shall fail, and this which is originated by God only shall stand.