What is the hidden wisdom of God that Paul says he speaks?
The hidden wisdom is the wisdom of God, a secret God ordained before the world for our glory. Paul speaks it among the mature, not the wisdom of this world nor of its princes and rulers, which come to naught. It contrasts with human wisdom and reflects God's pre-world purpose.
Les explains that the book of Corinthians is hung up on wisdom, the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God. Paul says, 'we speak wisdom among them that are perfect'; Les notes that 'perfect' means mature, not sinless, and that these carnal, weak Corinthian believers are called perfect because they were under God's grace, and that grace was sufficient. This wisdom is not the wisdom of this world or of the princes and rulers of this world who come to naught. Instead, Paul speaks the wisdom of God in a secret, even the hidden wisdom God ordained before the world to our glory. Les stresses that Paul is always revealing secrets.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
What is the difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7?
The wisdom of the world is the wisdom of verse 6 that Paul does not speak. The wisdom of God is His previously hidden wisdom, kept secret until God sovereignly revealed it through Paul's gospel. It contrasts human wisdom with the once-secret, now-revealed plan of grace for Jew and Gentile alike.
When did God ordain the hidden wisdom?
God ordained the hidden wisdom before the world began, according to His predetermined sovereign plan of the ages. It was kept secret until He revealed it through the Apostle Paul by revelation of Jesus Christ, not through man's teaching or human tradition.
More Questions
What was the mystery hidden wisdom God ordained before the world in 1 Corinthians 2:7?
The mystery, the hidden wisdom God ordained before the world, was that Jesus was the Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 2:7, what does 'we speak the wisdom of God' refer to?
In 1 Corinthians 2:7, Paul's 'we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery' refers to Paul speaking of his own ministry.
What does Paul mean by speaking the wisdom of God in a secret?
Paul speaks the wisdom of God in a secret or mystery.