1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory: The word has four meanings which may be arranged almost in chronological order. I. THAT WHICH IT IS FORBIDDEN TO DIVULGE EXCEPT TO THE INITIATED. Such were the secrets of the political and religious festivals held in most cities of Greece. We have a trace of this meaning in Matthew 13:2. In 2 Peter 1:16 it is said that the apostles did not follow the false track of rationalised myths, but were eye-witnesses by initiation of Christ's majesty (Colossians 2:3). II. THAT WHICH CANNOT BE KNOWN EXCEPT BY REVELATION (cf. Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3, 4; Colossians 1:26). III. SACRED CEREMONIES THAT HAVE A SYMBOLICAL OR SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE; sometimes restricted to denote the Eucharist. After the time of this is its prevailing signification, and its Latin equivalent is sacramentum. IV. A TRUTH THAT TRANSCENDS THE HUMAN INTELLECT TO COMPREHEND, and this may be absolute impossibility or impossible till the Spirit of God gives an inward revelation. In the present passage the word includes somewhat of all these meanings except the third. The word "perfect," while it signifies "full-grown," contains an allusion to initiation into mysteries. (Principal Edwards.) Parallel Verses KJV: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: |
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