Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

In case some think that the Gospel is devoid of wisdom, Paul states that it involves a higher wisdom discernible by those who are spiritually mature. Though some understand “the mature” (GK 5455) as referring to those far advanced in spiritual understanding compared with infants in Christ (cf. 3:1), the context favors the conclusion that the spiritually mature were the saved—those enlightened by the Holy Spirit—in contrast to the unsaved. This latter view is supported by Paul’s argument that it is the unsaved who think the Gospel is foolish (1:21–23) and that the unsaved do not receive the things of the Spirit of God (2:14). This wisdom, Paul says, does not come from this age of time and space and certainly not from the rulers of this age (i.e., those who are of highest importance in the world), because such people crucified the Lord of glory (v.8). These rulers with their wisdom will end up in futility.