The Work of the Holy Spirit and God’s Wisdom Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [8] 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 July 13, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit,  interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Matthew 11:25-26

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT? It does NOT mean verbal dictation. It does NOT mean that every word of Scripture is literally true. It does NOT mean every text of Scripture is true even in isolation from its context. Rather, it means what the Holy Spirit spoke through the biblical authors is true and without error.

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE? 1) The natural person is NOT able to understand the things of the Spirit. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (v. 14) The natural person is one who does not have the Holy Spirit—who is not regenerated in the new life of the Spirit. In this natural state, people are blinded to the spiritual things that the Holy Spirit reveals even with great intellect. The natural person only sees the world in the flesh (i.e., fallen heart without God)—they cannot understand the secret wisdom of God.

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE? 2) The spiritual person is able to understand and discern the things of the Spirit. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (v. 15) 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9 The spiritual person is one who has the Holy Spirit in the new life in Christ Jesus (as opposed to “the natural person). Things of the Spirit is the secret hidden wisdom of God that can be understood when the Spirit opens our spiritual eyes. As we seek to yied and quirlm pwrely on the Spirit, he guides us with God’s wisdom.

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE? 3) The Holy Spirit is the ONE who enables the spiritual person to have the mind of Christ through God’s wisdom in Scripture. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (v. 16) It is the Holy Spirit who taught and revealed God’s secret wisdom to the biblical authors. It is also the Holy Spirit who enlightens the spiritual person to understand what is written by the inspired people. The Spirit guides us to discern the things of the Spirit so we have the mind of Christ as we grow deeper in the Spirit’s illumination and guidance.

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE? 4) Hence we are to acknowledge and rely on the illumination of the Holy Spirit as we approach Scripture. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18 18 ...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe... Ephesians 1:18-19 First, we are to acknowledge our need of the Spirit’s help. Second, we are to be diligent in meditating on Scripture. Both are needed; but our utter dependence on the Spirit’s enlightenment and guidance is most critical.

Seeking the Secret Wisdom of God in Scripture So we need to humble ourselves before both the Word and the Spirit. We still have to study the Word, to ponder its meaning and application. But we also need to cry to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. Humble prayer and diligent study need to be combined. A heavenly messenger said to Daniel: “Since the first that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard...” (Dan. 10:12). Similarly, Paul wrote to Timothy: “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Tim. 2:7). We do pondering; he does the enlightening. For the Word remains a dead letter until the Spirit brings to life. — John R. W. Stott

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE In what ways do you recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in your understanding God’s wisdom in Scripture? In what ways have you experienced the blindness of a person without the Holy Spirit (or a secular society without the Holy Spirit)? In what ways will you acknowledge and rely on the Holy Spirit in reading Scripture and discerning the mind of Christ?