Bereansearching Bible Studies

Introduction: A Different Hermeneutic “Which the Holy Ghost Teacheth: Comparing Spiritual Things with Spiritual“

1 Corinthians, Chapter 2, has a lot to say about “spiritual” understanding and interpretation of God’s Word as compared with that of unregenerate, natural man’s method of interpretation. This chapter outlines and explains GOD’S Hermeneutic…which is the key to Bible interpretation! That Hermeneutic, being entirely Spiritual, is that “which the Holy Ghost teacheth: comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (holy scripture with holy scripture) precisely as Jesus revealed in the course of His explanation of The Parable of the Sower.

God, in speaking through the Apostle Paul in the first letter to the church in Corinth, emphasizes that there is a clear distinction between the “wisdom of men” and the “Wisdom of God.” This chapter shows us that the only possible means by which that gap can be closed is ONLY if God anoints an individual with His Holy Spirit, commensurate with Salvation by Grace, because of the intercessory Atoning Work and Sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ for the sinner’s sins. “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified“.

1 Corinthians 2:1, “¶And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678, declaring unto you the testimony of God.“

Any man who can read the Bible can easily tell you what the words in the Bible “say”, but only God, through His Holy Spirit, can reveal what the Word “means” for the purpose of the Salvation of the soul.

1 Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

1 Corinthians 2:2, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Philippians 3:8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,“

1 Corinthians 2:3, “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and  in much trembling.”

2 Corinthians4:8, “[We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;“

Psalm 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” and Philippians 2:12, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.“

1 Corinthians 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching [was] not with  enticing words of man’s wisdom (σοφία (sophia)) ^G4678, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:“

2 Peter 1:16, “¶For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (Please see the post “The Mount of Transfiguration“)

Romans 15:19, “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.“

1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 of men, but in the power of God.“

2 Corinthians 4:7, “¶But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.“

Acts 20:27&28, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.“

1 Corinthians 2:6, “¶Howbeit we speak wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 among them that are perfect (τέλειος (teleios))^G5046: yet not the wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:“

Natural, fleshly, mankind is incapable of having the necessary wisdom of God to understand and discern the true meaning of God’s intent as found in His Word, as God’s Wisdom is only revealed to the saved soul as a Gift by the Power of God’s Holy Spirit. Please see this post: “Refutation of the Literal – Grammatical – Historical Hermeneutic“.

2 Corinthians 1:12, “¶For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,  not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.“

The word “perfect” is τέλειος (teleios)^G5046 , which in the original Greek does mean both “perfect” and “complete“, and is entirely consistent with Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect (τέλειος (teleios)) ^G5046, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (τέλειος (teleios))^G5046.”

Hebrews 12:22, “¶But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect (τέλειος (teleios))^G5046,“

Hebrews 5:14, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (τέλειος (teleios))^G5046, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.“

And the segue to this chapter are the last four verses of Chapter 1, 1 Corinthians 1:28-31, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” The last part of the last verse is repeated in 2 Corinthians 10:17, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.“

1 Corinthians 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 of God in a mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466, [even] the hidden (ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō)^G613 [wisdom], which God ordained (προορίζω (proorizō))^G4309 before the world unto our glory:“

“Wisdom“

Regarding “wisdom” (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 it is really referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, as we read in the preceding chapter in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

“Mystery“

Ephesians 3:3-5, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466 of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”

Remember when Jesus said to His disciples in Mark 4:11&12, “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466, of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.“

Colossians 1:26-29, “[Even] the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466 which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466 among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (τέλειος (teleios)) ^G5046 in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

And we must also remember that Jesus Is The Embodiment of the mystery, as we read in
Colossians 2:2&3, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466 of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.“

Moreover as we read in 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466 of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

“Hidden“

Matthew 11:25, “At that time Jesus answered and said,I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid (ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō)^G613 these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.“

Ephesians 3:9, “And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery (μυστήριον (mystērion))^G3466, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid (ἀποκρύπτω (apokryptō)^G613 in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:“

“Ordained“

Not also that the original Greek word, προορίζω (proorizō)^G4309, which is translated as “ordained” before, is the same word that is also translated as “predestinated” as we read in Romans 8:29&30, “For whom he did foreknow, he ^G4309 also did predestinate ^G4309 [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might bethe firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, ^G4309them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.“

All of this was predestined and foreordained before the world was even created!

1 Corinthians 2:8, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.“

Not everyone “understands”. To most people, the Word of God is hidden, because there are only a few who have been granted the “ears to hear and the eyes to see.” Please listen carefully to the words of Jesus’ joyful prayer to God The Father…

Matthew 11:25-27, “¶At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him.]“

Similarly in Luke 10:21&22, “¶In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him].

And please note carefully what Jesus said to His disciples “privately” in the very next two verses in Luke 10:23&24, ¶And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].” The disciples (as “babes“) were able to see and hear, while to others, to the “wise and prudent” of the world, all these things remain “hid“. To them the Bible is a sealed book, and the knowledge of The Son and The Father is only revealed to the few to whom The Son chooses. As a result, there are very few who fully understand the profound significance of this hard teaching. Please see also the study on Isaiah Chapter 29: “A Book that is Sealed“. 

1 Corinthians 2:9, “¶But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

And here the Apostle Paul is referring back to Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.“

Hebrews 11:16, “But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.“

Jesus Spoke In Parables to the Multitudes, and Jesus Explained Why

1 Corinthians 2:10, “But God hath revealed (ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō))^G601 [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth (ἐραυνάω (eraunaō))^G2045 all things, yea, the deep things of God.“

Notice the juxtaposition of the words revealed and searcheth together. Proverbs 25:2, “[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.” And God reveals those findings to the believers by His Holy Spirit. More details are in this post: Hidden Spiritual Gem #1 from the Bible: Proverbs 25:2 and the Hebrew Word “דָּבָר (dāḇār).

Also in Romans 8:26&27, “¶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth ^G2045 the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.“

God tells us plainly and specifically, in three passages in the Bible, why Jesus spoke in Parables (and because God ordained it, this fact is not widely known or discussed in our world because the carnal man finds it offensive):

1. In Matthew 13:10-16 we read where the disciples questioned Jesus about His use of Parables, “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias (Isaiah 6:8-10), which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Please see the Hearing Ear and the Seeing Eye)
2. In Mark 4:10-12, “¶And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he (Jesus Christ speaking to His disciples) said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.”
3. In Luke 8:9&10, we read , “And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.“

One has to wonder, “How this can be?“, given that God states so very clearly and plainly how He uses parables to veil the mystery of the kingdom of God from unbelievers. This makes absolutely no sense from the perspective of normal human reasoning, and it is contrary to everything the world tells you about Christianity. This is because the reality is that salvation depends entirely on the supernatural intercession of God as He sees fit (Yes, whether one likes it or not, salvation is of the LORD!). Moreover, Jesus openly explains two of His parables (The Parable of the Sower as found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8) which anyone in the world can readily (physically) read in Matthew 13:10-16, Mark 4:14-20, Luke 8:11-15 (together with the companion “Parable of the Wheat and the Tares” as found in Matthew 13:24-30, which Jesus explained in Matthew 13:36-43.)

So then, even when a parable is explained perfectly to someone who is not one of God’s elect/chosen, that parable will still mean absolutely NOTHING to an unbeliever beyond merely the intellectual! That person may understand what the words say, but not what the words mean. That is why at the end of the Sower parable, Jesus said respectively in Matthew 13:9, Mark 4:9, Luke 8:8 “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” and “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” and “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.“

This appears on the surface, intellectually, to not make any sense, and thereby raises the question, how is this possible? The answer to this conundrum is that even if a parable is clearly explained to a person who remains an unbeliever (one whom God does not intend to “hear” or “see” or “perceive” or “understand” the meaning), then the salvation imbuing essence (The Holy Spirit) will not be manifest…and the Word of God will still remain completely veiled or hidden to that person and that person will remain in an unsaved state. That is what makes true Christianity so scary, and so offensive, to the carnal man or woman.

For more detail on the meaning of Parables, and Why Jesus always employed them in His teachings to the multitudes, please see these three very important posts: Jesus’ Parables, the Road to Emmaus, Proverbs 25:2 and The Doctrine of Salvation by Election:

1 Corinthians 2:11, “For what man knoweth (εἴδω (eidō))^G1492 the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.“

Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”

Note how this harmonizes with what we find in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God [is] quick (meaning that it is “alive“), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.“ and Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:“

And is not the Bible a “Spiritual Book? It was written entirely under the guidance and inspiration of God The Holy Spirit. Jesus made the connection between His Words and The Holy Spirit explicit in John 6:63, saying, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.“

Additional verses describing God’s Word as being synonymous with The Holy Spirit are found in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.” and 1 Corinthians 12:8, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;“

And let us not forget what as been discussed in before regarding the Hidden Spiritual Gems in the Bible…In Proverbs 25:2 (KJV) we find this extraordinary verse, “[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.” If we look carefully at the text as it reads in the original Hebrew using an Interlinear Bible or Online concordance cross-reference like this: https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/pro/25/2/t_conc_653002, we find that it can also read like this…”[It is] the glory of God to conceal a “word” (because it is from the Hebrew דָּבָר (dāḇār)^H1697, a masculine noun): but the honour of kings[is] to search out a “word” (because the word that was translated into English as “matter” is also the same word found in the original Hebrew to be דָּבָר (dāḇār) ^H1697, which is translated more than eight hundred times in the Old Testament as “word.”)*.  It appears, therefore, that God is telling us that He is glorified by the concealing of The Word (Jesus Christ) in the Bible, and the believers are “honored” by being made able to search out The Word (Who is Jesus Christ) when reading the Bible.

Jeremiah 17:9&10, “The heart is deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.”

Romans 11:33, “¶O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?“

1 Corinthians 2:12, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of (ἐκ (ek))^G1537 God; that we might know the things that are freely given (χαρίζομαι (charizomai))^G5483 to us of (ὑπό (hypo))^G5259 God.“

Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.“

Note that the original Greek word translated as “freely given“is  (χαρίζομαι (charizomai))^G5483, which actually means “graciously granted and forgiven”. The original Greek word that is translated as “of” is (ὑπό (hypo))^G5259, which actually means “beneath” as in “covered by”.

The only way that anyone can “know” God and understand the things that are given by grace is to be a true child of God, a new (born again) creature in Christ. Only those who are “covered by” God can truly know Him. This verse comes to mind, Psalm 91:4, “He (God) shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.“

The Holy Spirit, He Teaches the Believer

1 Corinthians 2:13, “¶Which things also we speak (λαλέω (laleō))^G2980, not in the words which man’s wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.“

This verse encapsulates GOD’S Hermeneutic…and the key to Bible interpretation!

John 4:24, “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”

John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.”

Jesus made clear the following: John 14:26, “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.“

John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:“

John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.“

Key to this passage is “comparing spiritual things with spiritual things”…and given that the Bible is Holy, and entirely inspired by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, then that statement is telling us that that we should be comparing Biblical scripture with Biblical scripture to gain God’s Wisdom (which is actually coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ Who is Wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:30).

This is repeated and corroborated in 1 John 2:27, “But the anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))^G5545 which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))^G5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.“ The anointing is of the Holy Spirit Who God the Father sent to the believers to lead them into all truth, and that Truth Is Jesus. John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that]shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Note the consistency with John 14:26, “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” and 1 John 2:20, “¶But ye have an unction (χρῖσμα (chrisma))^G5545 from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (Therefore “unction” also means “anointing”)

The Bible is its own interpreter, its own dictionary, its own Wikipedia! It is easy to think that a certain word or phrase has an obvious and clear meaning, but the issue is what does the Bible really mean by these words? The only correct answer to that question is to compare verses with other verses and see how the Bible defines its own terms. The Bible alone should limit our thinking about the words and phrases in the Bible. We must learn to abide by the Bible’s definitions and logic.

Anyone who claims to have knowledge from the Bible had better not be quoting men, but rather they had better be quoting Biblical scripture, alone…but even then, you, dear reader, had better be checking out what those preachers and teachers are quoting for yourself, from the Bible alone, as the Bereans did in the first century in Acts 17:10&11, and earnestly “searching the scriptures (the Bible) daily, whether those things were so.”

In 2 Peter 1:20&21, we are told, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved (φέρω (pherō)) by the Holy Ghost.“, and in 2 Peter 2:1&2, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” 

Note: The original Greek word translated as “moved” is (φέρω (pherō)), which also means “borne” or “carried along”.

These latter verses are saying that if anyone gives forth an interpretation out of their own intellect or from the carnal minds of others that have taught them, they are false teachers and the truth is not in them.  (Even more ominous, they will receive the greater condemnation from God for that sin.)  But how are we to know which interpretation is out of a man’s mind as opposed to what God is really saying?  God provides us the answer, out of His Word, the Bible, as follows:

The Bible Is a Spiritual Book!

And we know from 2 Samuel 23:1&2, “¶Now these [be] the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man [who was] raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.”  Clearly the word of God, the Bible, is spiritual, as it was written under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  So if we want to learn the true meaning of any verse, then we need to compare scripture with scripture (spiritual things with spiritual).  Furthermore, any revelation of truth from God’s word (which can only come through the use of this methodology) is solely the work of the Holy Spirit.  That is why in 1 John 2:27 we read, “But the anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))^G5545 (of the Holy Spirit) which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing (χρῖσμα (chrisma))^G5545 teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”  This is entirely consistent with what we read in John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

And we should also bear in mind: 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.“

Man’s Wisdom is Foolishness

1 Corinthians 3:18-21, “¶Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;“

1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know (γινώσκω (ginōskō))^G1097 [them], because they are spiritually discerned (ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō))^G350.”

This is extremely important! The natural man is NOT anointed with God’s Holy Spirit and without Him, it is impossible for the natural man to begin to grasp any saving understanding of what God is teaching the believers who have been given, by God, the Anointing of The Holy Spirit. This gets us back again to the Hearing Ear and the Seeing Eye and also again to “Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?”

Note that the original Greek word for “know” is γινώσκω (ginōskō)^G1097, which can also mean “perceive” or “understand“, and the original Greek word for “discerned” is (ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō))^G350, which can also mean “examined” “scrutinized” or “judged”.

Mark 4:11&12, “And he (Jesus) said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.” Please see “The Doctrine of Election“.

Matthew 16:23, “¶But he (Jesus) turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Peter was thinking like a typical natural man, “carnally”, and not “spiritually”, as a child of God should.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25, “¶For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ¶Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.“

Where is Wisdom Found?

In Job 28 we read of Job’s “parable” (Yes, Job spoke in a “parable”, see: Job 27:1 and Job 29:1) regarding where Wisdom can be found…Job 28:12 &13, raises the question, “But where shall wisdom be found? and where [is]the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.” This is reiterated in Job 28:20&21,”Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.”

Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.“

Matthew 15:8&9, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.“

1 Timothy 6:20, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:”

Jude 1:19, “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.“

Back again to 1 Corinthians 2:6, “¶Howbeit we speak wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 among them that are perfect (τέλειος (teleios))^G5046: yet not the wisdom (σοφία (sophia))^G4678 of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:“

1 Corinthians 2:15, “But he that is spiritual judgeth (ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō))^G350 all things, yet he himself is judged (ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō))^G350 of no man.“

The word translated “judgeth” and “judged” is from the same original Greek word ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō)^G350 which also means to examine, investigate, scrutinize, search, and “discern” (please see again above in the previous verse, 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Philippians 1:9, “¶And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment (αἴσθησις (aisthēsis))^G144;” Note: The original Greek word translated as “judgment” is (αἴσθησις (aisthēsis))^G144, which can also be translated as “discernment“.

Ecclesiastes 8:5&6, “Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him.” Note that the original Hebrew word that is here translated as “discerneth” is יָדַע (yāḏaʿ)^H3045, which has also been translated into English by the King James translators variously as: know (645x), known (105x), knowledge (19x), perceive (18x), shew (17x), tell (8x), wist (7x), understand (7x), certainly (7x), acknowledge (6x), acquaintance (6x), consider (6x), declare (6x), teach (5x), miscellaneous (85x).

Also consider what we find in Ecclesiastes 3:14&15, “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. ¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there. ¶ I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work.“

1John 4:1, “¶Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.“

1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known (γινώσκω (ginōskō))^G1097 the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.“

Job 15:8, “Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?“

John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.“

So we could also say that, only the believer (the child of God) is one to whom God has graciously given His Holy Spirit and “the mind of Christ.”

Conclusion

So the big question now is, are you, dear reader, a child of God? Do you yearn to more completely know, love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Do you clearly see that only Jesus is the means by which a sinner can be saved from the just penalty for sin…or are the revelations of God just so much foolishness?

Let us all hearken to ALL the words that are found written by the same Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians in  2 Thessalonians Chapter 2, verses 1-17, particularly this warning 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.“

However, these verses are followed immediately thereafter with words of comfort for the Believers.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, “¶But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. ¶Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father,  which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word  and work.“

Postscript

We should also take a moment to consider the fact that God increases (adds to) a believer’s wisdom and knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. A believer is already accounted as having been given wisdom and knowledge and understanding by God through the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit when that person becomes saved.

The believer is who Jesus was speaking of in Mark 4:21-25, “¶And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.¶And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” and also in Luke 8:16-18, “¶No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457.For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.“

And that word “seemeth” is from the original Greek word δοκέω (dokeō)^G1380, which is better translated as “thinks”. Many people “think” that they are right with God, by taking upon them the name of Jesus Christ (hence “Christians”) for their salvation, but sadly they are not truly saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ Alone.

The souls of the lost sinners who become saved are to glorify God by sharing the Light of Gospel of Salvation so that more lost sinners might be found.

Jesus Christ is the Light

Here we are told that if we have been enlightened φωτίζω (phōtizō)^G5461 by the Holy Spirit with the Light φωτισμός (phōtismos)^G5462 of Christ dwelling in us, that Light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 will shine forth. These verses help to underscore this point:

• Genesis 1:3&4, “¶And God said, Let there be light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216: and there was light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216. And God saw the light (אוֹר(‘ôr))^H216, that [it was] good: and God divided the light (אוֹר (‘ôr))^H216 from the darkness.“
• John 1:4&5,” In him (Jesus, The Word) was life; and the life was the light (φῶς (phōs)) ^G5457 of men. And the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“
• John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of life“.
• John 9:5, Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of the world.”
• Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light (λάμπω (lampō))^G2989 unto all that are in the house. Let your light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
• Luke 2:32, “A light (φῶς (phōs)) ^G5457 to lighten (ἀποκάλυψις(apokalypsis))^G602 (reveal to) the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
• 2 Corinthians 4:3&4, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light (φωτισμός (phōtismos))^G5462 of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.“
• 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457 to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light φωτισμός (phōtismos)^G5462 of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
• 2 Timothy 1:10, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light (φωτίζω (phōtizō))^G5461 through the gospel:“
• 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light (φῶς (phōs)^G5457, as he is in the light (φῶς (phōs))^G5457, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.“

Only those with hearing ears will hear, and those who have will be given more

Remember again back in Matthew 13:10-13, “¶And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? ¶He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” So then, in effect, those who are hearers will be the ones to “hear”.

And let us take particular note of the re-iterated point about those who have, being given more, and those who have not, losing what they have. Whosoever “hath” (e.g., a believer has wisdom, knowledge, and understanding) even more shall be given, but whoever “hath not” (e.g. the unsaved does not have wisdom, knowledge, and understanding), even that which that person “seemeth” (or thinks) to have will be taken away. This statement is beyond profound, and quite ominous too, and yet it is entirely consistent with our Holy and Perfect God and His Equity. Commensurately, it is therefore also entirely consistent with all the other scriptures in the Bible, particularly with what we have all just read and pondered from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 2.

And please note how closely this point correlates with what we read back in the Old Testament in Daniel 2:20-22, “¶Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” God gives wisdom to those who are already wise, and knowledge to those who already have understanding. God reveals the deep and secret things that are hidden within the scriptures to the believer! Hallelujah! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Remember what we are also later told in Daniel 2:28-30 [being aware that the word in Hebrew is רָז (rāz)^H7328, which means “to conceal” or “secret” and is taken from Aramaic, and therefore only appears in the Book of Daniel]: “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets (רָז (rāz))^H7328, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets (רָז (rāz))^H7328 maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret (רָז (rāz))^H7328 is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.” Anyone who has ever been granted the privilege of spiritual understanding of the Bible, God’s Holy Word and by it the knowledge of The Father and The Son, will readily assent to this declaration by Daniel.

Finally, We must also remember what Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” The more wisdom and understanding God graciously grants a person from His Word, the greater the responsibility that person will have to use it to His Glory! Which brings to mind Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.“

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