1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

In this part of the chapter the apostle shows them that though he had not come to them with the excellency of human wisdom, with any of the boasted knowledge and literature of the Jews or Greeks, yet he had communicated to them a treasure of the truest and the highest wisdom: We speak wisdom among those who are perfect (1 Cor. 2:6), among those who are well instructed in Christianity, and come to some maturity in the things of God. Those that receive the doctrine as divine, and, having been... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

2:10-16 But God revealed it through his Spirit, for the Spirit explores all things, even the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of the man unless the spirit of the man which is in him? So no one ever knew the things of God except the Spirit of God. It is not the spirit of the world that we have received, but the Spirit which comes from God, so that we may know the things given to us by the grace of God. The things we speak we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:11

For what man knoweth the things of a man ,.... The thoughts of a man's heart, the conceptions of his mind, the schemes he is drawing there, his designs, purposes, and intentions; these can never be known by another man, no, nor by angels or devils; not by any creature; by none save the spirit of a man which is in him ? which is only conscious to, and can only make known the things that are in him: even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God ; and which, as it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received not the spirit of the world ,.... Meaning either Satan, the god of the world, the spirit that is in it, and rules over it; or the sinful carnal disposition of the men of the world, which is a spirit of covetousness, uncleanness, pride, malice, and error; or rather the carnal wisdom of the world, which is common to worldly men, lies in the knowledge of worldly things, and is pursued and exercised for worldly advantages: but the Spirit which is of God ; the Holy Ghost,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:11

For what man knoweth the things of a man - The word ανθρωπων in the first clause is omitted by the Codex Alexandrinus, and one other; and by Athanasius, Cyril, and Vigil of Tapsus. Bishop Pearce contends strongly against the authenticity of the word, and reads the passage thus: "For what is there that knoweth the things of a man, except the spirit of a man that is in him?" "I leave out," says the learned bishop, " ανθρωπων , with the Alexandrian MS., and read τις γαρ οιδεν τα του... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world - We, who are the genuine apostles of Christ, have received this Spirit of God, by which we know the deep things of God; and, through the teaching of that Spirit, we preach Christ crucified. We have not therefore received the spirit of the world - of the Jewish teachers, who are all looking for a worldly kingdom and a worldly Messiah, and interpret all the scriptures of the Old Testament which relate to Him in a carnal and worldly sense. ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:11

Verse 11 11.For what man knoweth? Two different things he intends to teach here: first, that the doctrine of the Gospel cannot be understood otherwise than by the testimony of the Holy Spirit; and secondly, that those who have a testimony of this nature from the Holy Spirit, have an assurance as firm and solid, as if they felt with their hands what they believe, for the Spirit is a faithful and indubitable witness. This he proves by a similitude drawn from our own spirit: for every one is... read more

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 2:6-13

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

The apparent foolishness is the only wisdom. read more

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