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 note the contrast with “flesh and blood”) but the natural, earthly authorities of Titus 3:1 (also called “principalities and powers”). This is an important distinction. Why? What faculties mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:9 reveal that human rulers, rather than demonic powers, are the subjects of verse 8? Is it our duty to submit to human rulers? (Romans 13:1)
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.)
Considering REVELATION the above, how is the preaching of Jesus Christ and the Cross understood today? Does education affect revelation? If so, how?
What religious burden does Matthew 5:20 impose on our human ability to meet God’s requirements? Is this burden intentional? Why? In what way does our realization of what is humanly impossible open the way to that which is possible, through God’s power? (Matthew 19:23-26) Does this underline 1 Corinthians 1:29?
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! Did Peter know anything about who Jesus really was, other than what God had revealed to him? (Matthew 16:16,17) Does Matthew 16:23 prove this?
Revelation is also progressive. 1 Corinthians 2:10 means that the things of God are visible, audible and conceivable through continual revelation, by the Spirit of God. (Matthew 11:25-27) Verse 25 clearly reveals a 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 will be seen again in 3:8.) The “elders” in the church are mature leaders. A sure sign of immaturity is a refusal to accept that maturity can’t happen overnight; that just as natural growth is slow – from babyhood to childhood to adolescence to adulthood, so also is spiritual growth. Trouble is, many “babes” can’t wait to be “elders”!
In spite of the adulation given by each faction to its favorite minister—or perhaps because of it—the Corinthians were still “babes in Christ”. Yet their gifts 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.” Does this mean that a new believer cannot receive divine revelation? Are we to be childish—or childlike? What is the difference? (Matt. 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 related to a particular person – perhaps the Lord had used that person to minister in a wonderful way. 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 which person 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 1 Corinthians 3:9. Why does Paul change from farming terms to building terms? The planter becomes an architect/foundation-layer and the irrigator a master-builder. The four factions are now reduced to two –- the Paul and Apollos factions. Peter would have been a “visiting ministry”; and the pseudo-spiritual “Christ” group probably a bit too elitist to attract — or for them to accept — many followers. Jesus is the only foundation; what is built on Him is to be tested—by fire! The two main properties of the six materials listed are flammable and inflammable.