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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:12

Verse 12 12.Now we have received, not the spirit of the world He heightens by contrast the certainty of which he had made mention. “The Spirit of revelation,” says he, “which we have received, is not of the world, so as to be merely creeping upon the ground, so as to be subject to vanity, or be in suspense, or vary or fluctuate, or hold us in doubt and perplexity. On the contrary, it is from God, and hence it is above all heavens, of solid and unvarying truth, and placed above all risk of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Spiritual wisdom. While disclaiming a gospel based on the wisdom of men, Paul is careful to show that he does not disparage true wisdom. The facts of Christianity are the embodiments of great principles; the story of the cross has behind it the sublimest philosophy. Hence the gospel is at once milk for babes and meat for men ( 1 Corinthians 3:2 ); and a wise teacher knows how to adapt his teaching to the capacities of his pupils. Among the newly converted, the apostle confined himself to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Contents of the revelation. But the apostle claims "wisdom" for the gospel. The counterfeit has been exposed, and the genuine coin is now presented. And how does he proceed to verify his right to use a term that, in the estimation of all thinkers, commanded respect and admiration? He will honour the Word; he will restore its meaning and clear it of obscurity, nay, expand its significance and invest it with a charm not known before. Solomon had used his splendid intellect to give the word... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

True wisdom. I. IS FOUND IN CHRISTIANITY . Paul has been speaking slightingly of" wisdom." Might lead some to suppose that Christianity was unwise, or at all events a one-sided system; that it was a religion for the heart only, and unfriendly to the intellect. The apostle guards against this damaging supposition by claiming true wisdom for Christianity. What he has been decrying is the ineffective wisdom of the world. Christianity is for the whole man. When a man is in a right... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

The revelation of things unseen and unheard. It may perhaps have been complained, though unreasonably enough, that Paul's compositions were lacking in logic, and his language in eloquence. There was in the substance of his teaching enough to compensate any deficiencies of such kinds. No sage communicated such wisdom, no poet such wonders, as he. Deep things, drawn by the Spirit from the ocean of God's unfathomable nature, were brought up, and were by him presented to the Church of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

The true wisdom. Often in the Epistles there is a single word on which the whole discussion turns. In the letter to the Romans, it is "righteousness;" to the Colossians, it is "fulness;" to the Hebrews, it is "perfection." In the letter to the Corinthians, it is "wisdom." Those Greeks sought after wisdom. It was nothing to them that the gospel might relieve a troubled conscience or reform an unworthy life, if it did not correspond with their ideas of philosophy. But St. Paul had an answer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:9-14

The revelation of the things of God. It may be that we have here a free quotation of Isaiah 64:4 . But whether a quotation or not, it expresses a principle true in every age. The great "things of God" have ever been beyond the reach of the unaided powers of man. What are these "things which God hath prepared for them that love him"? To apply this expression, as is sometimes done, merely to the glories and joys of the heaven of the future, is to narrow its meaning. Those heavenly things,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:10

But God hath revealed them unto us. They are secret no longer, but are "mysteries which now it is given us to know" ( Matthew 13:11 ). By his Spirit. The Spirit guides into all truth ( John 13:16 ). In 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 St. Paul attributes every gift of wisdom directly to him. Searcheth . "How unsearchable are his judgments!" ( Romans 11:33 ). Yea, the deep things of God. This expression, "The depths of God," passed into the cant expression of the Gnostics, and it may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

The gospel school. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit," etc. Because man naturally craves for knowledge and deeply needs it, schools abound everywhere throughout the civilized world, especially here in England—schools of science, schools of philosophy, schools of art, etc.. But there is one school that transcends all—the gospel school. Three facts are suggested concerning this school. I. That here the student is INSTRUCTED IN THE SUBLIMEST REALITIES . "Deep... read more

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