1 Corinthians 2:16
New International Version
for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

New Living Translation
For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

English Standard Version
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Berean Standard Bible
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Berean Literal Bible
"For who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

King James Bible
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

New King James Version
For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

New American Standard Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

NASB 1995
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

NASB 1977
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Legacy Standard Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL DIRECT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Amplified Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND and PURPOSES OF THE LORD, SO AS TO INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].

Christian Standard Bible
For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

American Standard Version
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Contemporary English Version
The Scriptures ask, "Has anyone ever known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?" But we understand what Christ is thinking.

English Revised Version
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?" However, we have the mind of Christ.

Good News Translation
As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?" We, however, have the mind of Christ.

International Standard Version
For "Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can advise him?" However, we have the mind of the Messiah.

Majority Standard Bible
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

NET Bible
For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? But we have the mind of Christ.

New Heart English Bible
For "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Webster's Bible Translation
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
For who has penetrated the mind of the Lord, and will instruct Him? But *we* have the mind of Christ.

World English Bible
“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for who knew the mind of the LORD that he will instruct Him? And we have the mind of Christ.

Berean Literal Bible
"For who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
for who did know the mind of the Lord that he shall instruct Him? and we -- we have the mind of Christ.

Smith's Literal Translation
For who knew the mind of the Lord, who shall instruct him And we have the mind of Christ.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that we may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For who has known the mind of the Lord, so that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

New American Bible
For “who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

New Revised Standard Version
“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For who knows the mind of the LORD, that he may teach it? But we have the perception of Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For who has known the mind of THE LORD JEHOVAH that he may teach him? But we do have the mind of The Messiah.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Godbey New Testament
For who knows the mind of the Lord, who shall give him counsel? But we have the mind of Christ.

Haweis New Testament
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? who will instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Mace New Testament
for how can he, that does not know the mind of the Lord, instruct another? but as for us, we are acquainted with the mind of the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
For who has penetrated the mind of the Lord, and will instruct Him? But *we* have the mind of Christ.

Worrell New Testament
For who knew the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Worsley New Testament
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Spiritual Wisdom
15The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Cross References
Isaiah 40:13
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?

Romans 11:34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Ephesians 4:23
to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1 John 2:20
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

Jeremiah 23:18
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?

Job 15:8
Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?

Proverbs 1:23
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

who.

Job 15:8
Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

Job 22:2
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

Job 40:2
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

may.

John 15:15
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 16:13-16
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come…

John 17:6-8
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word…

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Christ Christ's Instruct Mind Penetrated Teacher
1 Corinthians 2
1. Paul declares that his preaching,
4. though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom,
5. yet consists in the power of God;
6. and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it.














For who has known
This phrase echoes the rhetorical question posed in Isaiah 40:13, emphasizing the incomprehensibility of God's wisdom and knowledge. The Greek word for "known" is "egnō," which implies a deep, intimate understanding. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of acknowledging God's unfathomable wisdom, a theme prevalent in the Old Testament. It challenges human pride and self-sufficiency, reminding believers of their limited understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom.

the mind of the Lord
The "mind" here, translated from the Greek "nous," refers to the intellect, understanding, or reasoning. In the context of the Lord, it signifies the divine wisdom and plans of God, which are beyond human comprehension. This phrase underscores the sovereignty and omniscience of God, a central tenet in conservative Christian theology, affirming that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

so as to instruct Him?
The rhetorical nature of this question highlights the absurdity of any human presuming to guide or advise God. The Greek word "symbibazō" means to instruct or to bring together, suggesting the futility of attempting to align God's will with human understanding. This reflects the historical context of the Corinthian church, where human wisdom was often exalted, reminding believers of the need for humility before God's perfect wisdom.

But we have
The conjunction "but" introduces a contrast, shifting from the impossibility of knowing God's mind to the privilege granted to believers. The phrase "we have" indicates possession, suggesting that believers are endowed with something extraordinary. This is a pivotal moment in the verse, offering hope and assurance to the Christian community.

the mind of Christ
This profound statement reveals the transformative reality for believers. The "mind of Christ" implies having access to Christ's wisdom, understanding, and perspective. The Greek "nous Christou" suggests a shared mindset or attitude with Christ, cultivated through the Holy Spirit. Historically, this reflects the early Christian belief in the indwelling of the Spirit, enabling believers to discern spiritual truths. It encourages Christians to live in alignment with Christ's teachings, embodying His love, humility, and wisdom in their daily lives.

(16) For.--This is the proof that the enlightened spiritual man cannot be judged by any one who is not thus enlightened. "Who (thus uninstructed) can know the mind of the Lord Jesus, that he may instruct Him?"

But we.--That is, spiritual men, including the Apostles. The Apostle here identifies Christ with the Spirit, whom he has previously spoken of as the Teacher of spiritual things. He does not mean to assert that the Apostles knew all that the mind of Christ knew, but that all things which they did know were from Him and spiritual (John 15:15).

Verse 16. - Who hath known the mind of the Lord? "The Lord" is Jehovah (see Isaiah 40:13, LXX.; Romans 11:34). This is the reason why no one can judge the spiritual man in his spiritual life. To do so is like judging God. We have the mind of Christ. So Christ himself had told the apostles (John 15:15); and St. Paul always claimed to have been taught by direct revelation from Christ (Galatians 1:11, 12). They had the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), and therefore the mind of Christ.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

who
Τίς (Tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

has known
ἔγνω (egnō)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

[the] mind
νοῦν (noun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.

of [the] Lord,
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

[so as]
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

to instruct
συμβιβάσει (symbibasei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4822: From sun and bibazo (by reduplication) of the base of basis); to drive together, i.e. Unite, to infer, show, teach.

Him?”
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

have
ἔχομεν (echomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

[the] mind
νοῦν (noun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.

of Christ.
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 2:15
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