However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.  (7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, (8) which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  (9) But as it is written:  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  (10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 

The first letter to the CORINTHIANS was written by the Apostle Paul in correction  of factional and doctrinal behavior.  In our verses today Paul is dealing with divine wisdom and human wisdom and the work of the Spirit in illuminating God’s wisdom.  In verse 6 Paul writes of those who are mature in the faith – spiritually mature.  He tells his audience that human wisdom, pride in the cult of personality, and reverence by man of the rich and powerful is in no way connected to salvation as revealed in the gospel through Christ – all earthly things are temporal; never satisfying or solving anything.  Truth can only be learned from Scripture.

The powerful and wise men of Paul’s time knew nothing of God’s wisdom or they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.  Paul then quotes Isaiah when he makes his point that true wisdom is not understood by man’s natural process.  Man will never comprehend the wisdom of the gospel except by God’s grace alone.  We can only know God by revelation through the Spirit.  We cannot know God unless He discloses Himself personally.  Human wisdom is worthless for salvation.