John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 2:16

"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 2:16 (ASV)

For who hath known? It is probable that Paul had an eye to what we read in the 40th chapter of Isaiah. The Prophet there asks,

Who hath been God’s counselor? Who hath weighed his Spirit, or hath aided him both in the creation of the world and in his other works? and, in fine, who hath comprehended the reason of his works? (Isaiah 40:13). Now, in like manner Paul, by this interrogation, intends to teach that his secret counsel which is contained in the gospel is far removed from the understanding of men. This then is a confirmation of the preceding statement.

But we have the mind of Christ. It is uncertain whether he speaks of believers universally, or of ministers exclusively. Either of these meanings will suit sufficiently well with the context, though I prefer to view it as referring more particularly to himself and other faithful ministers. He says, then, that the servants of the Lord are taught by the paramount authority of the Spirit, what is farthest removed from the judgment of the flesh, that they may speak fearlessly as from the mouth of the Lord—which gift flows out afterwards by degrees to the whole Church.