Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. 7 Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, 8 and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” 10 this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. 11 Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms. 14 Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can judge everything but is not subject to judgment by anyone. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Paul contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world. The “mature” refers to those spiritually capable of understanding divine truths and open to the full wisdom of God revealed in Christ, as opposed to those still worldly or immature (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-3; Heb 5:14). The "wisdom of this age" refers to empty rhetoric or philosophical arguments that lack divine insight, while the "rulers of this age" may refer to both worldly authorities (e.g., Pontius Pilate, Herod) and spiritual powers, particularly Satan and his dominion (cf. Eph 6:12; John 12:31), whose power is temporal and destined to end. Paul speaks of God’s hidden mystery, His salvific plan, which predates creation and was hidden in ages past but has now been revealed in Christ (cf. Eph 3:9-11). The rulers, both human and spiritual (cf. 2 Cor 4:4), failed to recognize Jesus’ divine identity and crucified Him. Paradoxically, their actions fulfilled God’s redemptive plan, as the crucifixion became the means of salvation. Had they known this, they would not have crucified the “Lord of glory.”
Paul paraphrases Isaiah 64:3-4 and 65:17, emphasizing the unimaginable blessings of God’s wisdom and plan, which go beyond human comprehension and have been fully revealed in Christ. These divine realities cannot be grasped through human understanding alone but are unveiled by the Spirit, who leads believers into all truth (cf. John 16:13) and enables them to access the depths of God’s wisdom. Just as no one can fully understand another’s thoughts except their own spirit, so only the Spirit of God comprehends the divine mysteries (cf. Rom 11:33-34). Believers, having received the Holy Spirit, are empowered to grasp the gifts of salvation and divine truth, participating in God’s life (cf. 2 Peter 1:4), rather than being influenced by the "spirit of the world," which opposes God’s wisdom (cf. Rom 8:15-16; Gal 4:6-7).
Paul highlights that the Spirit communicates divine truths, which can only be understood by those spiritually attuned and open to God’s grace. Those governed by worldly understanding cannot comprehend spiritual truths because they require the Spirit's illumination (cf. John 3:6; Rom 8:7-9). The “spiritual person” possesses discernment through the Spirit, understanding divine truths and evaluating worldly matters. Such a person is beyond the judgment of the world which lacks spiritual insight and cannot grasp the things of God. Quoting Isaiah 40:13, Paul emphasizes God’s incomprehensible wisdom. Yet, through the Spirit, believers share in the “mind of Christ,” enabling them to align their thoughts and actions with God’s will, adopt Christ’s humility and obedience (cf. Phil 2:5), and fully participate in His divine plan (cf. 2 Peter 1:4).
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, who reveals the depths of Your wisdom and guides us into the truth of Christ. Grant us the grace to set aside worldly understanding and embrace the mind of Christ so that we may align our hearts with Your will and live in the light of Your eternal plan. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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