But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9
I've recently been in a discussion with an individual who questioned my application of 1 Corinthians 2:9 to our respective hopes of a new heaven and new earth. My commentary on this verse from my 12/19/05 entry entitled "Good Gifts" says as follows:
"Certainly we can imagine the splendors of heaven or envision the joys of the new Earth - however the actual beauty of such is incomprehensible to mankind. Take your best picture of the afterlife multiply it by a thousand and you are still nowhere close to the reality of it. It will be THAT good. What a loving Father we have!"
The individual questioned this application in the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and set out to show that instead of applying to future blessings this verse applied to knowledge of Bible truths that Christians have at present. For instance by looking at the very next verse it seems to indicate a state that is enjoyed now: "For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:10) He suggested that it here shows that Paul and those to whom he wrote had the knowledge of what had been prepared for them. Too he pointed out verse 7, which speaks about Christians having "God's wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory."
I've taken upon myself to examine this and see if I have made a mistake in my exegesis. It is with the purpose of clarification that I submit the following research on this Bible scripture.
I concur that 1 Corinthians 2 taken as whole is eloquently providing testimony of the ability of God's spirit to reveal his purposes to Christians so that they have a knowledge that the world does not have. This was a cause of joy for Jesus who declared “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes." (Matthew 11:25)
It is certainly true that when Jesus was on earth he attempted to teach his disciples many things regarding the kingdom and God's purpose. In doing so he taught in such a way that these precious Kingdom secrets would be kept from those who were not receptive. At Matthew 13:10,11, regarding his teachings, Jesus disciples asked him: "Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” In reply he said: “To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted."
We see here that use of the term "sacred secrets" in connection with "the kingdom of the heavens". Later on in Matthew 13:44 Jesus again compares the kingdom to something that is hidden. We read, “The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy he has he goes and sells what things he has and buys that field."
Did Jesus' disciples comprehend the sacred secrets of the kingdom that Jesus was trying to teach them? Evidentially no. While they were able to understand some of what he was saying they were unable to grasp it in its entirety. In part this was due to their false understanding that Jesus as the Messiah was there to install an earthly kingdom that would rise up and free the Jews from the Romans. (John 18:36) They couldn't understand that Jesus had not come to earth to set up a kingdom but that he had come to give his life as a ransom for all mankind. (1 Timothy 2:5,6)
In Luke 9:44,45 their confusion is plainly evident. Their Jesus says “Give lodgment to these words in YOUR ears, for the Son of man is destined to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they [the Apostles] continued without understanding of this saying. In fact, it was concealed from them that they might not see through it, and they were afraid to question him about this saying."
Too we read the more direct words of Matthew 16:21 as to how "Jesus Christ commenced showing his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the older men and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised up." At that time he was plainly making clear to the Apostles that he was to be killed. Did they grasp what he was saying? No. We read at verse 22 how Peter took Jesus aside and said to him, “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this [destiny] at all.”
It was not until after Jesus had died that the apostles were able to understand this aspect of God's purpose. When Jesus was raised he helped them to understand these things. At Luke 24:25-27 we read, "So he said to them: “O senseless ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures."
What about other aspects of the Kingdom? Did they understand these things? Not at first. For just before he ascended to heaven Jesus' disciples asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?" (Acts 1:6) they were still laboring under false ideas about what the Kingdom was to be. The true understanding of these matters was not to be opened up to them until they received the Holy Spirit. Before his death Jesus made this clear at John 14:25,26 where he said, “While remaining with YOU I have spoken these things to YOU. But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU."
When the Apostles and disciples received Holy Spirit during the festival of Pentecost this was the beginning of their growth of knowledge of the Kingdom. At that time did they know everything there was to know? Not at all, for example at first they did not understand at that the Kingdom inheritance was to be opened up beyond the Jews. However with the calling of Cornelius they began to comprehend that the gentiles would also be a part of this kingdom. (John 10:16) Upon his anointing the Apostle Paul developed additional aspects of the Kingdom. Even down to the last apostle John further revelations regarding the Kingdom through the spirit were being made manifest.
Now with that background we return to the original scripture under consideration as found in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.
Jesus' death and subsequent resurrection was the central message of the 1st century preaching work starting in Pentecost and continuing down through the days of Paul. (Acts 2:21-36; 1 Corinthians 1:17) In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 it is interesting because it appears that people were still stumbling over the death of Jesus, just as the apostles once did. The Jews were stumbled by it and the Greeks thought it was foolish. (1 Cor 1:22,23) This sets up 1 Corinthians chapter 2 where Paul sets out to contrast the wisdom of the world verses the wisdom of God.
At 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul states that when he originally came to the Corinthians he did not come with "extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God". His message then was a simple one, Jesus Christ, impaled. This was the basic, fundamental teaching of the Christian congregation from its founding forward.
At verse 6 Paul now begins to speak to "those who are mature" able to understand and comprehend, "God's wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom." Calling attention to the blindness and deafness that was manifest among the world he says, "But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor 2:9,10)
Then in verses 11-15 he concludes by elaborating on how "the spirit which is from God" is able to teach "spiritual matters and spiritual words" as well as allowing them to understand what had been given them by God.
So it is indeed true that 1 Corinthians 2 is showing how through the spirit we are able to under the wisdom and sacred secrets of God. But we ask what is the "hidden wisdom" that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 2? Is it just the overall body of teachings of the Christian Congregation or it something more specific?
As we discussed earlier we see from Jesus that the sacred secret is directly linked to the Kingdom. This is the "hidden wisdom" and "sacred secret" that Paul is addressing. A large part of this is the hope that Christians have of being glorified with Jesus. "But we speak God’s wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory. " (1 Cor 2:7)
We compare this to Ephesians 1:8-11 where Paul also talks about wisdom and the sacred secret as it relates to the Kingdom hope of glorification in Christ. "This he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and good sense, in that he made known to us the sacred secret of his will. ... [Yes,] in him [Jesus], in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs, in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels, that we should serve for the praise of his glory, we who have been first to hope in the Christ."
As well we call attention to Paul’s words to Colossians regarding a sacred secret that is related to the glorification of Christians in the Kingdom "I became a minister of this [congregation] in accordance with the stewardship from God which was given me in YOUR interest to preach the word of God fully, the sacred secret that was hidden from the past systems of things and from the past generations. But now it has been made manifest to his holy ones, to whom God has been pleased to make known what are the glorious riches of this sacred secret among the nations. It is Christ in union with YOU, the hope of [his] glory." (Colossians 1:25-27)
So when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” Is he talking about the general body of Christian beliefs? No. It would follow that he is talking specifically about the Kingdom hope. Further evidence can be found when we compare the wording of 1 Corinthians 2:9 with other scriptures that talk about what "God has prepared for those who love him."
"When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will sit down on his glorious throne ... "Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, YOU who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for YOU from the founding of the world. (Matthew 25:31-34)
"At that Jesus said to them: “The cup I am drinking YOU will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized YOU will be baptized. However, this sitting down at my right or at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.” (Mark 10:39,40)
" Jesus said in answer: “YOU men do not know what YOU are asking for. Can YOU drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him: “We can.” He said to them: “YOU will indeed drink my cup, but this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (Mark 20:22-23)
"If, now, God, although having the will to demonstrate his wrath and to make his power known, tolerated with much long-suffering vessels of wrath made fit for destruction, in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, namely, us, whom he called not only from among Jews but also from among nations, [what of it]?" (Romans 9:22)
Listen, my beloved brothers. God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him, did he not? (James 2:5)
Thus while the whole of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 is a comparison of the wisdom of God held by Christians with the wisdom of the world, verse 9 is specifically referencing the Kingdom Hope held by Christians. This is both in harmony with the context of the chapter as well as Paul's other letters as well as Jesus words as well as the rest of the Christian scriptures.
Now lets consider the following verse 10, "For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God." Are we to conclude that Paul is stating that the Holy Spirit has revealed every aspect of the Kingdom to us? To put it simply, do we now know everything?
The holy spirit indeed opened the earlier Christian's minds up to the teachings of Jesus and the Scriptures where they were able to understand the Jesus was raised as king of the Kingdom, that Kingdom was to rule from Heaven, that those who die with Christ had the opportunity to be resurrected with Christ, that they would have spiritual bodies, and that they would rule with him. (Acts 2:36, Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Through the spirit some of the apostles and disciples were given direct visions into the heavenly things. Peter, James, and John witnessed a vision of Jesus in his Kingdom glory. (Matthew 17:1,2) Stephen saw the heavens opened up and Jesus sitting at God's right hand. (Acts 7:56) Paul and John were taken in spirit into heaven and paradise. (2 Corinthians 12:2,4; Revelation 4:1-11; 21:1) In these direct ways the Holy Spirit showed glimpses of what God had prepared for those who love him.
Certainly the spirit had taught them many things concerning the sacred secrets of God as it related to the Kingdom but was their knowledge complete or was it progressive? Well the scriptures certainly show progressive revelation. The book of Revelation, one of the last Bible books written, provides many details of the Kingdom that are not shown in other portions of the Bible - a major one being that those of the first resurrection to heaven will number 144,000. (Revelation 14:1-3)
We must admit that the scriptures provide us with enough knowledge for the here and now. As well we concur that the wisdom of God possessed by Christians is precious indeed and far superior worldly wisdom. We are granted the privilege of knowing about the Heavenly Kingdom that will usher in a righteous new heavens and a new earth. (2 Peter 3:13) We know that there is a resurrection of the dead through Christ Jesus. (John 5:28,29) We know that some are to be raised to the new heavens and some are to be raised to the new earth. We know that in that next age things will be far better than we have now. Revelation 21 and 22 walk us through the goodness of that time, when God will be us and he will wipe out every tear from our eyes and death and pain will be no more. (Revelation 21:3,4) These things are firm and sure and we can put our faith in them. (Hebrews 6:19)
The scriptures lead us right up until at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ when righteousness exists across the entire heavens and earth and he hands back the Kingdom to his Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 20:4,6) And then what? The scriptures do not provide the answer. So then do we then really know all "that God has prepared for those who love him"? In the light of these things I firmly believe that 1 Corinthians 2:9 still holds true in regards to our everlasting, bright future.
Yes indeed, "Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”
