Year Two, October 16

What Agreement Has the Temple of God With Idols?1

2 Corinthians 6

1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (The apostle wanted everyone who heard the gracious word of God to receive eternal life. He also had a strong desire for those who had truly been saved to be increasingly fruitful; so it would be obvious to others that God’s grace had changed their lives and moral values. No pastor can be satisfied unless grace is clearly producing appropriate changes in the lives of those who professed to have received it.)

3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Dr. Hawker, himself a minister of the Church of England, has beautifully said: “What a lovely portrait the apostle has drawn of a minister of Jesus! How totally unlike in every way from the rich living off so many in the higher positions in the church. Who would have thought, when Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth, that a time would come when pomp and grandeur would be considered acceptable additions to the lives of priests of God! A great part of what the apostle said about recommending ‘ourselves in every way,’ ‘as servants of God,’ is done away with. How is it possible in our day to know whose servants these men really are? Where are the beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, and hunger in their lives?

“But the apostle has sketched some of the traits of ministers that can still be found. ‘Through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise, as impostors, and yet true, as unknown, and yet well known.’ There are found throughout the world and in every age, those who treat the distinctive truths of the gospel with hatred and contempt. They will discredit the preachers of those truths with slander and disapproval. At the same time some will still honor God’s messengers. These are the highly taught few who God the Holy Spirit teaches.

“Reader, learn from this portrait of the apostle’s that was drawn under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Form your opinion of the Lord’s ministers, not by outward show, but by the inward enlightenment of the heart, and the blessing of God on their labors, both in word and doctrine.”2

11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. (Either in marriage or any other close partnership.) For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

18 and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.”

The great duty of believers in all ages is to keep their reputation as a separate people, no longer “conformed to this  world.”3 May this family never fall into worldly fads, amusements or activities, but be known for following the Lord in every way. This is how we will be especially dear to our heavenly Father.

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¹ 2 Corinthians 6:16

² From Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary. Robert Hawker (1753-1827). A priest in the Church of England.

³ Romans 12:2

Year Two, October 15

We Would Rather Be Away From the Body and at Home With the Lord1

2 Corinthians 5

1For we know (Not just think or hope, but “we know!”) that if the tent that is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (Our mud cottage will be demolished, but our heavenly home is prepared for us.) 2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (We cannot be satisfied here, because we are kept from the glory land and surrounded by sin. We wait excitedly for the voice of our beloved Lord to call, “Arise, my love, and come away.”2) 

 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (God is preparing us for heaven and has already given us the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of his promise.)

6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (The exile longs to return to their own country. The child aches for their father’s house. And we pant for our own dear country beyond the river and sigh to be close to Jesus.) 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

With this in mind, we cannot afford to sin or treat our life as unimportant. We will live as we should if we live every day considering the last great day.

11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. (The apostle did everything for Jesus and his church. If anyone found fault with what he did, he reminded them that his only motive was love for them.) 14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (The death of Jesus for us has made us think of ourselves as dead to everything and everyone except him, because we want to live for him alone.)

16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. (Paul focused only on spiritual things. Even the fact that he had seen Jesus in person was no longer important, compared to seeing him by faith.) 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (Have we been made righteous like this? These verses are both wonderful and extremely important. Do we understand them by personal experience? Are we new creations in Christ? Have we been brought to peace with God through Jesus’ blood? Have we been blessed in Jesus and become one with him? These are questions that should be asked right now.)

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¹ 2 Corinthians 5:8

² From Song of Solomon 2:13

Year Two, October 14

We Are Afflicted in Every Way, but Not Crushed1

Paul wrote the Second Letter to the Corinthians from Macedonia. This was after Titus had returned from Corinth and informed him how the church in Corinth had responded to his first letter. The news was mixed and caused Paul both joy and sorrow. This seemed to have both troubled and perplexed the apostle. We will begin our reading with chapter four.

  

2 Corinthians 4

1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. (Paul condemned trickery and all deceitful methods. He said what he meant and meant what he said. If we cannot spread the truth by honest speech, we cannot spread it at all.) 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (If people do not understand the gospel we must take care that the fault does not lie in our words but entirely with their blinded worldly hearts.)

5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (When God uses the weakness of the preacher to accomplish such a great end, it shows his power. Never refuse to do good because your abilities are poor and few. Instead, give your weakness to the Lord so that he may use it for his own glory.) 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death is at work in us, but life in you. (Paul rejoiced that good came to them as a result of his sufferings. He loved them like a mother who takes off her own coat and exposes herself to the cold to keep her child warm.)

13Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. (He was not afraid of death, because he expected to be resurrected.) 15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. (God’s glory was his ruling desire. It kept him going through sickness, depression, and persecution.) 17For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (See how small Paul thinks his suffering is compared to the glory that awaits him. He calls it light and momentary. But when it comes to future glory, he cannot find words to express himself. The way to live above trouble is to look up. We will grow dizzy if we look down on earthly things, because they are tossed to and fro like the waves of an ocean.)

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¹ 2 Corinthians 4:8

Year Two, October 13

Be Watchful, Stand Firm in the Faith1

We have already read 1 Corinthians 15, where the apostle Paul wrote those rich words about the  resurrection.2  He did not consider it at all improper to close his letter with a few words about “the collection.” To give our money to the poor or to the cause of Jesus, is one of the highest acts of worship, if it is done in a proper spirit. It is a deed of love that angels might envy our ability to do. Is it not marvelous that God lowers himself to receive a gift from those he created?

  

1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 6-24

1Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (Setting something aside every week is a most healthy Christian practice. If we were to put a portion of our income into the offering plate every Lord’s day, we would always have money in hand to give to deserving causes.)

6And perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Timothy was young and therefore some might not give him the respect they should. It is pleasing to see how the apostle protects him and asks the church to treat him properly. The older members of the church should be sensitive for their younger brothers and sisters in Christ.

12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. (He does not blame Apollos for declining his request, but puts a kind interpretation on his decision. Paul is sure that Apollos will visit them when he can. Always think the best you can of others.)

13Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done in love.

15Now I urge you, brothers--you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints-- 16be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.

This would be one of the best cures for the problems that had harmed their church. Those who attempt to set up assemblies where everyone rules and no one submits are wrong.

17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

19The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (Not with a hollow kiss of hypocrisy or an unholy kiss of sensual pleasure. A shake of the hand is our western substitute for this kiss. A good hearty handshake is a warm sign of Christian fellowship.)

21I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. (To prevent forgers from pretending to be Paul, the apostle took the pen out of the writer’s hand, and wrote the last few lines himself.) 22If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! (or, Let him be accursed when the Lord comes.) 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (A sweet conclusion. He felt compelled to write sharply, but it was all in love. May love rule in this dear home.)

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¹ 1 Corinthians 16:13

² See Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible Year Two, August 5 and Year Two, August 6.

Year Two, October 12

For in One Spirit We Were All Baptized Into One Body1

1 Corinthians 12

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2you know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

“‘What think you of Christ?’ is the test

To try both your state and your scheme;

You cannot be right in the rest

Unless you think rightly of him.”2

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (We are neither born nor born again to live for ourselves. Like bees, we must all bring honey to the common hive.)

8For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (Paul is speaking here of the church, the body of Christ.) 13For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. (Therefore none of us may despise someone else because they do not happen to have the gifts we do. Variety is necessary for the body to be complete.) 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24which our more presentable parts do not require.

We take great care to cover those parts of the body that are either tender or unsightly. In the same way, we should give more kind care to those Christians who are weak in the faith and have their faults. Otherwise the whole body of Christ might be hurt because of them.

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

What was it that was better than the higher gifts? It was, and still is, love for God and others. Love is a grace from God. It is better than any of the gifts the apostle mentions. A heart full of holy love is a far better quality than a head full of the clearest knowledge or a tongue overflowing with words. Whatever way we cannot run in, let us make sure we are walking in the “more excellent way” of love.3

  

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¹ 1 Corinthians 12:13

² From What Think Ye of Christ, Is the Test, by John Newton (1725-1807)

³ See Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible Year One, June 27 for Spurgeon’s comments on 1 Corinthians 13

Year Two, October 11

Let Anyone Who Thinks That He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall1

In the opening verses of chapter ten of First Corinthians, Paul mentions the sins and chastisement2 of ancient Israel. We begin today’s reading with verse twelve.

  

1 Corinthians 10:12-33

12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (If our temptations were unlike any that anyone else had ever had, and there was no way out of them, then we might have no hope of overcoming them. But that is not the case! The Lord will not try us too much, too long, or too often. Grace will carry us through our temptations.)

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. (We are to avoid every kind of idolatry. This includes bowing before the cross or a wafer of bread. It is idolatrous worship and Christ’s faithful followers are commanded to flee from it.) 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 

19What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. (Whether Christian or Jew, participating in holy feasts involves fellowship. It is the same with idolaters. If we have fellowship with them, we are sharing in their sin.) 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (Friendship with the unholy is defiance to Christ. It is an open challenge of his kingship.)

23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. (There could be no harm in the meat itself, and the believer was free to eat what was set before them so far as they themselves were concerned. But there were times when it would be better not to eat with the unbeliever. If others saw it as a Christian taking part in an idolatrous sacrifice, then it would be best to avoid eating the meal.)

28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience-- 29I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (This is the rule for all consumption. Let us always observe it. Much evil may come from eating and drinking. It was by eating that Adam first fell from innocence. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”3) 32Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (What we may do lawfully may frequently be better not to do to avoid injuring others. We must sometimes deny ourselves for their sakes. Selfishness in a Christian is a terrible sin.)

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¹ 1 Corinthians 10:12

² chasten, chastening or chastisement - The act of discipline which may include scolding, criticizing or pain inflicted for the purpose of correction or moral improvement.

³ Matthew 26:41

Year Two, October 10

Let No One Boast in Men1

1 Corinthians 3

1But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. (They were so weak in grace that they were more worldly than spiritual.) 2I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3for you are still of the flesh. (The deeper doctrines cannot be received by those who are weak in the faith. It is wise to teach them only the simpler truths.) For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

Everyone thinks their side has the kernel and others have only the shell. In reality, both sides are likely to forget about the kernel and argue about the shell, as if it were the kernel.

5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (We must not depend on the best of people or make idols of them. They are tools in God’s hand and nothing more. Let us look beyond the servants to their Master.) 8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (Whatever work we do will be tested. It will be tested by those who oppose the gospel, by the lapse of time, by better understanding as we grow in the Lord, and especially by the judgment of the last great day.)

14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (They will be saved because they have been born again. But because they wasted their life doing work that was wrong, they will lose the reward of their labor. Their thoughtless actions injured others and they themselves will barely escape the wrath of God.)

16Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple. (The doctrine2 of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is very wonderful and also very serious. He lowered himself to live in us! We should show our guest the deepest respect!)

18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Realizing that the wisdom of this world is foolish is the doorway to true wisdom. We need to leave the wisdom of this age behind if we want to know the wisdom of God.

19For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, (True Christian teachers, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, Martin Luther or John Calvin, John Wesley or George Whitefield, belong to the whole church, and every member of the church gains help from their teachings. The mind is expanded beyond denominational beliefs into true unity in the church.) 23and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

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¹ 1 Corinthians 3:21

² doctrine - the belief or teaching of a church or group

Year Two, October 9

To Set the Mind on the Spirit Is Life and Peace1

1 Corinthians 2

1And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (This is the one thing we really need to know. All of our reading and studies will not help if we are uneducated about Christ and his atoning blood. If Paul the preacher decided to know nothing except this, we may be certain that it is more important than anything else.) 3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (If the reason people believe is because the preacher is such a great speaker, then their faith would be good for nothing. If one human being can convert you, then another can unconvert you. God’s power is necessary; not even a pastor can give us faith.)

6Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The gospel is easy to understand, but it is wisdom itself. The world’s greatest thinkers could not have dreamed up a better way to reach peace with God.

9But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (The Holy Spirit has revealed what human reason and imagination could not have come up with. But only those who have the Spirit dwelling in them have the inner eye and ear to understand it.) 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (Our religion is a spiritual one. It takes place through our new nature that comes to us from the Spirit of God. It does not take place in us because we participate in ceremonies that we see with our eyes, or because we are persuaded to accept it by the thoughtful speeches of others, but because we are taught it by the Holy Spirit himself.) 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (Spiritual people receive their faith in Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, they work to spread the gospel using only spiritual methods. They reject the pride of higher education and the display of brilliant speaking abilities, and depend on the Spirit and truth.2)

14The 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. 15The spiritual person judges (or examines) all things, but is himself to be judged (or examined) by no one. 16“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (All of mankind may be correctly divided into two groups, natural and spiritual; and they are as different as the dead and the living. The natural person has no spirit and therefore they cannot understand spiritual things. In the new birth a spirit is planted in us and that is how we acquire spiritual abilities. We live in a spiritual atmosphere and are able to experience spiritual joys. Have we received this higher life? Do we have the mind of Christ? Lord, work it in us, for Jesus’ sake!)

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¹ Romans 8:6

² Editor’s note: Spurgeon definitely did not belittle a sound education or improving one’s ability to speak in public. His establishment of his Pastors’ College and his many comments of its importance clearly prove this. But he also understood that salvation comes completely from the sovereign God of the universe through the work of the Holy Spirit.