1 Corinthians 2:12

Contextual Overview

⁶ Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. ⁶ And we speake wisedome among them that are perfect: not the wisedome of this world, neither of the princes of this world, which come to nought. ⁶We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁶ We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing. ⁶ But we speak wisdom among the perfect; but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought. ⁶ We teach wisdom to people who are mature, but the wisdom we teach is not from this world. It is not the wisdom of the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. ⁶Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; ⁶ We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: ⁶Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom-but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁶ We do use wisdom when speaking to people who are mature in their faith. But it isn't the wisdom of this world or of its rulers, who will soon disappear.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

not: 1 Corinthians 2:6, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:5, Romans 8:6, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2, James 4:5, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 4:5, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:9

but: Romans 8:15, Romans 8:16

that: 1 Corinthians 3:22, John 16:14, John 16:15, Romans 8:32, 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27, 1 John 5:20, Revelation 22:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 11:17 - I will take Ezra 10:11 - and from the Jeremiah 3:15 - which shall Micah 3:8 - I am Zechariah 4:5 - No John 3:5 - and of John 3:27 - A man 1 Corinthians 2:14 - the things Colossians 1:27 - whom Colossians 2:2 - understanding 1 John 4:6 - We are 1 John 4:13 - General Revelation 21:6 - freely Revelation 22:17 - freely

Cross-References

Exodus 28:20
And in the fourth rowe a chrysolite, an onix, and a iasper: and they shall be set in golde in their embossements.

Exodus 28:20
And the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold in their enclosings.

Exodus 28:20
and the fourth row a tarshish, an shoham, and a yashefay: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.

Exodus 28:20
The fourth row should have a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. Set all these jewels in gold.

Exodus 28:20
and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.

Exodus 28:20
and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be inclosed in gold in their settings.

Exodus 28:20
The fourth, a topaz, a beryl, and a jasper; they are to be fixed in twisted frames of gold.

Exodus 28:20
and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount the stones in delicate gold settings

Exodus 28:20
and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They are to be mounted in their gold settings.

Exodus 28:20
and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be inclosed in gold in their settings.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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, which proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the gift of God to his people, and whom they receive through the doctrine of faith into their hearts, as a spirit of illumination, faith, comfort, adoption, truth, and as a seal and earnest of future glory:

that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God; who has given himself, his Son, and all things freely along with him, as a justifying righteousness, remission of sins, adoption, and eternal life; all which were provided for them in the council and covenant of peace, and made up that grace given unto them freely in Christ before the world began; for there was not only an eternal purpose to bestow these gifts, in the mind of God, and a promise of them in covenant, but a real donation of them to them, as considered in Christ so early: besides, God gave his Son, and Christ gave himself for them before they knew anything of the matter; and therefore must be unknown, until made known by the Spirit of God, who is sent unto them, and into their hearts, for this purpose, to make them known; which he does, by showing all this grace, and by opening and applying the truths of the everlasting Gospel: and this knowledge is not a mere notional one, but spiritual, experimental, and approbational, joined with affection and admiration; and is a knowledge of interest in these things, and which makes both humble and obedient.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now we have received - We who are Christians; and especially we, the apostles. The following verse shows that he had himself and the other apostles chiefly in view; though it is true of all Christians that they have received, not the spirit of this world, but the spirit which is of God.

Not the spirit of this world - Not the wisdom and knowledge which this world can give - not the learning and philosophy which were so much valued in Greece. The views of truth which we have, are not such as this world gives, but are such as are communicated by the Spirit of God.

But the Spirit which is of God - We are under the teaching’s and influence of the Holy Spirit.

That we might know - That we might fully understand and appreciate. The Spirit is given to us in order that we might fully understand the favors which God has conferred on us in the gospel. It was not only necessary that God should grant the blessings of redemption by the gift of His Son, but, such was the hardness and blindness of the human heart, it was needful that he should grant His Holy Spirit also, so that people might be brought fully to see and appreciate the value of those favors. For people do not see them by nature; neither does anyone see them who is not enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God.

The things that are freely given us - That are conferred on us as a matter of grace or favor. He here refers to the blessings of redemption - the pardon of sin, justification, sanctification, the divine favor and protection, and the hope of eternal life - These things we Know; they are not matters of conjecture; but are surely and certainly confirmed to us by the Holy Spirit. It is possible for all Christians to know and be fully assured of the truth of those things, and of their interest in them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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.

That we might know the things — We receive this teaching that we may know what those supereminently excellent things are which God has purposed freely to give to mankind. It is evident that, as the apostle means by princes of the world the rulers of the Jews, 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, so by spirit of the world he here means Jewish wisdom, or their carnal mode of interpreting the sacred oracles, and their carnal expectation of a worldly kingdom under the Messiah.