John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 2:13

"Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words]." — 1 Corinthians 2:13 (ASV)

Which things also we speak, not in the learned words, etc. He speaks of himself, for he is still engaged in commending his ministry. Now it is a high commendation that he pronounces upon his preaching when he says of it that it contains a secret revelation of the most important matters — the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the sum of our salvation, and the inestimable treasures of Christ — so that the Corinthians may know how highly it ought to be prized.

In the meantime, he returns to the concession he had made before — that his preaching had not been adorned with any glitter of words and had no luster of elegance, but was contented with the simple doctrine of the Holy Spirit. By the learned words of human wisdom, he means those that savor of human learning and are polished according to the rules of the rhetoricians, or inflated with philosophical loftiness, with a view to excite the admiration of the hearers. The words taught by the Spirit, on the other hand, are those adapted to a pure and simple style, corresponding to the dignity of the Spirit, rather than to empty ostentation. For so that eloquence may not be lacking, we must always take care that the wisdom of God is not polluted with any borrowed and profane luster. Paul’s manner of teaching was such that the power of the Spirit shone forth in it, alone and unadorned, without any external aid.

Spiritual things with spiritual. Συγκρίνεσθαι is used here, I have no doubt, in the sense of adapt. This is sometimes the meaning of the word (as Budaeus shows by a quotation from Aristotle), and hence σύγκριμα is used to mean what is knit together or glued together; and certainly, it suits Paul’s context much better than compare or liken, as others have rendered it. He says then that he adapts spiritual things to spiritual by accommodating the words to the subject; that is, he tempers that heavenly wisdom of the Spirit with a simple style of speech, and of such a nature as plainly shows the native energy of the Spirit. In the meantime, he reproves others who, by an affected elegance of expression and show of refinement, endeavor to obtain the applause of men, as persons who are either devoid of solid truth or, by unbecoming ornaments, corrupt the spiritual doctrine of God.