The Spirit of God Reveals Grace: 1 Corinthians 2:12

by Bob DeWaay

As we summarize Paul’s teaching so far in 1 Corinthians, it is clear that the theme is Christ crucified. Terms such as wisdom, mature, depths, mystery, and knowledge are not about special status that certain Christian have which lesser ones do not, but rather what God has “graced” each believer with through the Spirit.

The tendency to divide the body of Christ into various groups based on secrets that only some have must be rejected. What anyone who has through the Spirit is given by grace alone. Paul uses a Greek word could be translated “having graced” to describe God’s provision for all who know Him by faith. These things are revealed and not found by mystics who know something ordinary Christians do not. The applications of the sermon are focused on the opposition of the “spirit of the world” to the things of the “Spirit who is from God.” The message of the world is opposed to the gospel of Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies about Christ, as Jesus promised. The clear teaching of the scriptures is that Jesus Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of God. The final application point about graced (used as a verb) is from Romans 8:32-34. We are safe because He intercedes for us!