Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Corinthians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Corinthians 2
"And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." — 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ASV)
Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching, though not to the exclusion of other parts of God's revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God.
Few people know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, which arises from a deep sense of their own weakness. They know how insufficient they are and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word, and thus people are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.
"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: but we speak God`s wisdom in a mystery, [even] the [wisdom] that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And [which] entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him." — 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 (ASV)
Those who receive the doctrine of Christ as Divine, and having been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, have carefully examined it, see not only the plain history of Christ and him crucified, but also the deep and admirable designs of Divine wisdom in it. It is the mystery made manifest to the saints (Colossians 1:26), though formerly hidden from the Gentile world; it was previously shown only in dark types and distant prophecies, but now it is revealed and made known by the Spirit of God.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of glory; a title much too great for any creature. There are many things which people would not do if they knew the wisdom of God in the great work of redemption. There are things God has prepared for those who love him and wait for him, which the senses cannot perceive, which no teaching can convey to our ears, nor can it yet enter into our hearts.
We must accept them as they stand in the Scriptures, as God has been pleased to reveal them to us.
"But unto us God revealed [them] through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. 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. Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words]. Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 (ASV)
God has revealed true wisdom to us by His Spirit. Here is a proof of the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21). In proof of the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, observe that He knows all things, and He searches all things, even the deep things of God. No one can know the things of God except His Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to His church. This is most clear testimony, both to the real Godhead and the distinct Person of the Holy Spirit.
The apostles were not guided by worldly principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from the affected oratory or enticing words of man's wisdom. The natural man, the wise man of the world, does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.
The pride of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality as the basest sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost. But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, pleasures, and workings of the Divine life. The spiritual man alone is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of His will. How little has anyone known of the mind of God by natural power!
And the apostles were enabled by His Spirit to make known His mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by His Spirit. They experience His sanctifying power in their hearts and bring forth good fruits in their lives.
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