John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 2:12

"But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God." — 1 Corinthians 2:12 (ASV)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world. He heightens by contrast the certainty he had mentioned. “The Spirit of revelation,” he says, “which we have received, is not of the world, so as to be merely creeping upon the ground, so as to be subject to vanity, or be in suspense, or vary or fluctuate, or hold us in doubt and perplexity. On the contrary, it is from God, and hence it is above all heavens, of solid and unvarying truth, and placed above all risk of doubt.”

It is a passage that is abundantly clear for refuting that diabolical doctrine of the Sophists regarding a constant hesitancy among believers. For they require all believers to be in doubt whether they are in the grace of God or not, and allow no assurance of salvation other than what hangs on moral or probable conjecture.

In this, however, they overthrow faith in two respects: for first, they would have us doubt whether we are in a state of grace, and then afterwards they suggest a second occasion of doubt—regarding final perseverance. Here, however, the Apostle declares in general terms that the elect have the Spirit given to them, by whose testimony they are assured that they have been adopted to the hope of eternal salvation.

Undoubtedly, if they would maintain their doctrine, they must necessarily either take away the Spirit of God from the elect or make even the Spirit himself subject to uncertainty. Both of these things are openly contrary to Paul’s doctrine.

Therefore, we may know that the nature of faith is this: that conscience has from the Holy Spirit a sure testimony of God’s goodwill toward it, so that, resting upon this, it does not hesitate to invoke God as Father. Thus Paul lifts up our faith above the world, so that it may look down with lofty disdain upon all the pride of the flesh; for otherwise, it will always be timid and wavering, because we see how boldly human ingenuity exalts itself, whose haughtiness must be trodden underfoot by the sons of God through an opposing haughtiness of heroic magnanimity.

That we may know the things that are given us by Christ. The word know is used to express more fully the assurance of confidence. Let us observe, however, that this knowledge is not acquired in a natural way and is not attained by mental capacity, but depends entirely on the revelation of the Spirit. The things he mentions as given by Christ are the blessings we obtain through his death and resurrection—that, being reconciled to God and having obtained remission of sins, we know we have been adopted to the hope of eternal life; and that, being sanctified by the Spirit of regeneration, we are made new creatures, so that we may live to God. In Ephesians 1:18, he says what amounts to the same thing—

That you may know what is the hope of your calling.