The “rulers of this age” referred to by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:8 are not the spiritual “principalities and powers” of Ephesians 6:12 where “flesh and blood” are contrasted but the natural, earthly authorities of Titus 3:1 (also called “principalities and powers”).
The distinction is important. The faculties mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:9 reveal that human rulers, rather than demonic powers, are the subjects of the previous verse.
The following words properly define the human faculties, and their limitations, in regard to spiritual realities:
“Eye has not seen”: INVISIBLE.
“Ear has not heard”: INAUDIBLE.
“Neither has entered into the heart of man”: INCONCEIVABLE. (Unimaginable, unthinkable.)
Education can influence revelation because it is understood with the intellect and stored in the mind, which then puts it into words, whereas revelation is received by the spirit and is held in the heart, which then exercises it by faith.
Did Nathaniel have a revelation—or did he jump to a conclusion? (John 1:49) A correct guess or a sudden insight is not revelation! Peter knew nothing about the true identity of Jesus until God revealed His Son to him. (Matthew 16:16,17)
Revelation is progressive. 1 Corinthians 2:10 states that the things of God are visible, audible and conceivable through ongoing revelation by the Spirit of God. (Matthew 11:25-27) Verse 25 clearly reveals the Father-Son/Son-Father sequence. (Matthew 13:10-17)
Keep in mind the difference between “we” and “you” —Paul, Apollos, and Peter are “we”; the Corinthian Christians are “you”. (This distinction is seen again in 1 Corinthians 3:8.) The “elders” in the church are mature leaders. A sure sign of immaturity is a refusal to accept that it, i.e. maturity, cannot happen overnight; that just as natural growth is slow – from babyhood to childhood to adolescence to adulthood, so too is spiritual growth. The problem is that many “babes” just cannot wait to be “elders”!
In spite of the adulation given by each faction to its favorite minister — or perhaps because of it — many in the church at Corinth were still “babes in Christ”. Yet in spiritual gifts they were second to none (1:7). They were charismatic brats! Paul could not give them solid food – deep truths, only the “milk” of God’s word: basic spiritual teaching. (See 1 Peter 2:2 and Hebrews 5:12,13)
Note: “until now” — “even now” -– “still not able,” because “still carnal.” This does not indicate, however, that a new believer cannot receive divine revelation. The question is whether we will be childlike — or childish. For the difference, read Matthew 18:1-4. Envy, strife, and division in God’s “new creation”!
The Corinthians behaved as though they were ordinary people. They walked as mere humans rather than as sons and daughters of God. In English grammar, the word “of” is called “the genitive case” and relates to origin.
Each faction was related to a particular person –- maybe the Lord had used that person to minister in a wonderful way to someone. Paul had founded the church. Apollos, who came after Paul, was an eloquent teacher. As for Peter, he was one of the original apostles. Then there were those who related to none but Christ! (1:12) But Christ belonged to them all. (3:22)
Note how the metaphors change: from eating to farming to building. In agricultural terms, Paul had “planted” the church. Apollos had later “watered” it. (Paul had moved on, which is what an apostle does.) But it was God who had grown the church at Corinth-–a city in which Jesus had “many people”! (Acts 18:10)
The metaphors change halfway through 3:9 from farming terms to building terms. The first is inadequate to express the development. The planter becomes the architect/foundation-layer and the irrigator the master-builder. In the process, the four factions are reduced to two: that of Paul the church’s founder, and that of Apollos, his successor.
Peter would have been a “visiting ministry”; and the “Christ” group probably a bit too elitist to attract — or even accept — many followers. Jesus is the only foundation and what is built on Him — what we would call the superstructure — will be tested by fire when Christ returns! The two main properties of the six materials listed are combustible and non-combustible. This refers to the immovability of the church’s foundation and the authenticity and accuracy of it as measured by The Apostles’ Doctrine.
Many authors and teachers have viewed the church at Corinth in a bad light: all those factions and divisions! But I thank God for them because their errors and Paul’s ways of dealing with them are a virtual handbook for pastors — especially beginners!