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 our verses today the apostle is talking about the wisdom of God as opposed to the wisdom of this world. Paul thought of worldly wisdom as ostentatious display and manipulation – loved by those who love pomp, power and prestige. The “wise men” of his day/our day don’t have an understanding of the great principles of the word of God – about the NEED for divine redemption. Corinthians were inclined to dismiss Paul’s preaching as elementary but Paul is assuring them there is a wisdom of God, which is not wisdom of this age – nor of rulers of this age who are coming to nothing.

Paul is referencing divine illumination as an act of unveiling. God alone can put faith into our hearts. It is not sufficient just to preach the word of God; we are absolutely dependent on the illumination of the Spirit. Paul did not teach philosophy which cannot save men; not that which man derives from his reason which is the wisdom of this world. He teaches redemption. Paul writes of the contrast of the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God; the contrast is not between rudimentary and higher doctrines of the gospel. There was no distinction between doctrine but modes of teaching.

c.s.lewis wrote “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world………I must take care on the one hand never to despise or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other hand never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage.”