As chapter 2 opens, the flow of thought follows closely from the previous chapter: The wisdom of the world can neither find nor understand the Wisdom from God, which can only be received by faith in His Word (1Cor 1:21,30).
II. Divisions within the local church. (1:10- 4:21)
A. The Reality of Divisions. 1:10-17
B. The Reasons for Divisions. 1:18- 2:16
Worldly wisdom rejects the Word of the Cross. 1:18-31
Natural minds cannot receive the Wisdom of God. 2:1-16
1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
I... came not with excellency of speech {eloquence} or of wisdom {sophistication}.
Paul simply presented the testimony from God (1Cor 1:6). Though he was well versed in Greek thought, he did not present an 'apologetic' for the Gospel from Greek philosophy. Neither did he argue, from his extensive knowledge of rabbinic scholarship.
...I determined not to know any thing... save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
He proclaimed nothing but 'the Word of the Cross' (1:18,22-25). Note that this message has two parts: (a.) the Person of Jesus Christ, and (b.) His sacrificial Work of redemption. cp. Acts 9:20; 17:2,3
...I was with you in weakness and fear, and in much trembling.
Paul had arrived in Corinth having recently suffered persecution in Philippi and Thessalonica. His enemies had pursued him to Berea, from where he had fled to Athens, and then Corinth. (See Acts ch.16-17.) He was weary from travel and stressed under anticipation of future harm. Though he sought to be a faithful witness, his condition did not convey a picture of strength and self-confidence.
my speech {GK=logos} and preaching {GK=karugma, proclamation} was not with enticing {ie., persuasive} words of man's wisdom...
Paul avoided fleshly oratorical techniques and arguments.
Instead, he presented God's Word, which is the testimony concerning God's Son. 1Cor 15:3,4; eg., Isaiah ch. 53; see Rev 19:10 (last clause)
...but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power...
Men, steeped in worldly wisdom, cannot respond to God's Word, unless God's Spirit moves. (Like Isaiah, those who bear witness to the Gospel may well ask: "Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Isa 53:1)
But because the power of the Holy Spirit was manifested, some of the Corinthians were convicted of the truth and turned to Christ. (See Joh 16:8-15.)
...that your faith should stand {ie., be, rest} not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.
6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {Isa 64:4}
...we speak wisdom among them that are perfect {GK=teleios, complete, mature}...
The Holy Spirit works within believers to 'perfect' them into mature sons of God (eg., Eph 4:11-13). The process will not be complete until Christ returns for His own (Php 1:6). Some believers are more spiritually mature than others.
...yet not the wisdom of this world...
Paul proclaimed the wisdom from God, not the wisdom of the world, which brings its adherents down "to nought" {GK=katargeo, uselessness, destruction}. cp. 1Cor 1:18-19,28
...but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained...
A 'mystery,' in Scripture, refers to something known to God, but which cannot be known by men, unless God reveals it to them. Until then, God's 'ordained' {ie., pre-determined} purposes are 'hidden' {GK=apokrupto, concealed, kept secret} from the eyes and minds of men. Mat 13:34,35
...which none of the princes {ie., rulers} of this age knew: for had they known...
Though they had the witness of the Scriptures, and of the One who came from God, they rejected Him, because they did not know God's Wisdom. Joh 15:22-25; Acts 13:27
...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard... the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Just as the world is blind to the Lord of Glory, they cannot begin to imagine God's pre-determined purposes for those who love and trust Him. cp. v.7c; Joh 14:1-3; 15:18-21; Rom 8:28-30
10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: {cp. Joh 14:26; 16:13; 1John 2:20} for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. {cp. Dan 2:22; Rom 11:33-36}
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. {eg., 1Cor 3:21-23; 1Joh 5:20}
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
but God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit... which things we speak...
Here, 'we' and 'us' applies first to the apostles (including Paul) to whom God revealed previously hidden mysteries concerning His purposes in Christ and His church (eg., Eph 3:1-12; Col 1:26,27). The message of the apostles, revealed to them by the Spirit, cannot be understood by the natural mind (v.7-9). Only hearers, who are also taught by God's Spirit, will receive it.
what man knoweth the things of a man, save {except} the spirit of man...?
The secrets of a man's heart are known to him, but hidden from everyone else (unless he chooses to reveal them). Likewise, God's purposes are fully comprehended by His Spirit, but unknown to all others.
Believers, having been born-again of God's Spirit, are taught God's ways by His indwelling Spirit (Joh 3:5-8). Having been integrated into the body of Christ, by the Spirit, believers are informed and moved by the mind of the God-Man, who is our Head (1Cor 12:12,13; Eph 4:15,16).
...which things also we speak... in the words... which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing {GK=sugkrino, lit., judging one thing with another} spiritual {GK=pneumatikos}...
with spiritual {GK=pneumatikos, that which pertains to the Spirit}.
That is, using words taught by God's Spirit (not by words of worldly wisdom), godly teachers explain spiritual things, by spiritual means, to spiritual people.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God...
The natural {GK=psuchikos, soulish, sensual (as in Jas 3:15; Jude 1:19} man understands worldly wisdom, but is unable to discern {GK=anakrino, examine, evaluate} the wisdom of God's Word, which can only be taught by God's Spirit to spiritual men (1Cor 1:18,23; 2:12).
But he that is spiritual judgeth {ie., discerns} all things, yet he himself is judged {discerned} by no man.
The Spirit taught believer is able to comprehend God's purposes (v.13). But natural men cannot understand the heart motives of the believer (Joh 3:8).
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? (cp. Isa 40:13,14)
But we have the mind of Christ.
Because the Holy Spirit dwells within all born-again believers, He is ready to guide them into all truth (1Joh 3:26,27; John 15:15; 16:13-16; 17:6-8,25-26). However, not 'all' believers truly know the mind of Christ, because few truly feed on His Word in His presence (Rev 3:20).
Here again, 'we' refers primarily to Paul and the other apostles, in contrast to immature believers: "...we have the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16). And {but} I... could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ (3:1)..."