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: Christianity is — I. "THE WISDOM OF GOD." Wisdom is knowledge directed to practical ends through the most effectual means. The moral systems of Greece ill deserved that appellation. They were imaginative; they fed the appetite for speculation, but fell with no power upon conscience or conduct. But in the gospel "the wisdom of Godis displayed in efficient and wondrous arrangements to enlighten and save a fallen world. 1. It affords infallible instruction in all necessary truth. All true knowledge properly comes from God. Even art and science were probably first suggested to the mind by God, but secretly and without any mark of distinction. It is conceivable that much of Bible truth might have been thus secretly suggested, and have been published only as the results of the human investigation. Beyond their own rational evidence none of these truths, however, would have had, in this case, a greater than human authority. They would have been but matters of opinion still. The disadvantage of the most enlightened paganism was, that what of the wisdom of God was in it was not known to be from God. When they met with truth they met also with error; and both appeared to rest upon equal authority, and each was held with equal unsteadfastness and doubt. What was wanting was truth in a revealed form. "The wisdom of God" has supplied that desideratum. Whilst human teachers remained in the human court darkly investigating what might be hidden within that veil, the "Teacher sent from God" rent that veil, and He who dwelt between the cherubim "shone forth." Whilst they were gazing upon every dark form of error which flitted before them like the clouds of night, He came forth, and cried, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me," &c.; and the credentials He bore were equal to this high declaration. 2. It is a Divine contrivance to administer pardon to the guilty. This is peculiar to the gospel. The question, "What must I do to be saved?" has been sighed from many a breast, but has obtained no answer except from Christianity. 3. It is an efficient scheme for promoting personal and universal happiness. Man is miserable, and cannot be otherwise. Between sin and misery there is a necessary connection. Many experiments have been tried to build up happy and peaceful societies, but all have failed. Christianity would not have been "wisdom" had it not provided for man's happiness; and it could only provide for it by effecting his regeneration. When this takes place the heart is at rest; "the fruits of the Spirit" spring forth from the renewed soil; then man lives to help and bless his fellows. II. "THE WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY." The apostle here probably alludes to the mysteries of Paganism. The priesthood in many places pretended to be in possession of a higher and purer doctrine which they kept from the vulgar, under the plea that they were too base and impure to be entrusted with it. It was, therefore, "hidden wisdom." But it was occasionally communicated to distinguished persons. The "initiated" had, however, to undergo severe penances; scenic symbolic representations in caverns, and in the night, were the means adopted for unfolding the secret; and these, and other ceremonies, were employed to inspire greater awe and to enforce secrecy. Probably this secret doctrine contained some of the ancient and purer theology, but mingled with fables. The apostle supposes — 1. Points of resemblance; but even the resemblances are implied contrasts such as exist between the sun and a fire, which at once calls our thoughts from what is common to both, to the contrast exhibited between a darkened blaze and an unsullied light. (1) Christianity was connected with .symbolic representations running through the previous ages, of which it was at once the accomplishment and the exposition; and it retained some figurative rites of its own — e.g., Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sabbath. (2) It, too, is hidden from the profane, and those who receive it must be prepared by a previous discipline. But its discipline is not some foolish bodily austerity or onerous ceremonies, it is the discipline of humility and prayer. For "the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," and to them "He shows His covenant."(3) It also produces deep impressions of awe and reverence upon those who are admitted, to it. Religion has an awful grandeur, but nowhere is it displayed so impressively as in the gospel. 2. Points of direct contrast. (1) The mysteries of Paganism were, for the most part, by artifice; those of Christianity by nature and necessity. The bottom of this ocean is not discovered, not because the waters are muddy, but because they are deep. (2) In the Pagan mysteries plain truths were often hidden in doubtful enigmas; in Christianity nothing is mysterious but what is so by the appointment of Him who hides that from us which is unfit for us to know, or from the necessary magnitude of the objects. (3) The impression produced upon the initiated was the result greatly of trick, and brought the spirit of man into bondage and disquieting superstition. But "the mysteries of godliness" at once humble and exalt; and whilst they inspire fear, elevate, strengthen, and sanctify. (4) In the mysteries of Paganism, whatever wisdom was "hidden" was for the few; that of Christianity, for all. From the former the poor were systematically excluded. The poor find mercy in the gospel, but nowhere else. III. THIS "WISDOM OF GOD IN A MYSTERY" WAS "ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD TO GLORY." 1. Christianity was ordained "before the world." We hear sometimes of its invention by man. We acknowledge that things invented have been added by human authority. But these are no parts of the system itself; and we may ask, When was that invented? And what human mind first devised its leading fundamental principles? — that man is a fallen being who can be saved only through the merits of a Divine sacrifice. 2. It was ordained as a perfect and efficient plan for human recovery. (R. Watson.) 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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