1 Corinthians 2:1-5 reminds the Corinthians that he did not preach to them with dazzling speeches or attempts to awe them with his deep wisdom—he simply taught them the truth that Jesus died for their sins. Paul was vulnerable with them, but also performed miracles through the power of the Spirit, so that the Corinthians came to believe in the truth solely because of God’s power, not human persuasion.

1 Corinthians 2:6-9 contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of the world changes. Its values, priorities, and standards are fickle. God’s wisdom is unchanging truth. God’s wisdom is mysterious, that He should send His Son to die for the world. Had the wise, powerful human authorities understood God’s wisdom, they would not have crucified Jesus. But they could not comprehend God’s wise plan, and acted on their own misguided agenda. In making this contrast, Paul is directing his readers to follow God, not men.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 explains that God has given us some of His wisdom and His plans by telling us about them. He has sent His Spirit to guide us after Jesus returned to Heaven. Paul illustrates that no one can know what someone is thinking except for that individual person; likewise, no one can understand God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit, but that Spirit indwells believers, so that we can know God’s will for our lives. We have to listen to the Spirit’s leading, not following the wisdom of the world and sin, not what other men tell us to value or to perform, but to live by the lead of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 demonstrates that when we live by our natural instincts and perspective, we fail to understand or believe in what God teaches us through His Spirit. Sin is blinding and limiting. But the person who follows the Spirit and lives by His leading will discern the right choices to make, and will trust in the Lord, because he is living with the mindset of Christ, which is to serve God faithfully and reject the world.