1 Corinthians 2:7

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

a. NLT: No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God[fn]—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

b. NIV: No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

c. YLT: but we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a secret, that God foreordained before the ages to our glory,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God—[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

e. Worrell Translation: But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery—the hiddenwisdom—which God predestined before the ages for our glory.

f. Wuest Translation: But we speak God’s wisdom in the form of a mystery long hidden but now revealed and understandable, that wisdom which has been kept secret which God foreordained before the ages with a view to our glory.

1. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom…”

a. But [Strong: 235 alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. we speak [Strong: 2980. laleo lal-eh'-o a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.]

c. the wisdom [Strong: 4678. sophia sof-ee'-ah from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.]

d. of God [Strong: 2316 * 2316. theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

e. in [Strong: 1722. en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. a mystery [Strong:  3466. musterion moos-tay'-ree-on from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery.]  [Zodhiates: A secret, an esoteric (Dictionary. com understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest), knowledge. Secret hidden sacrd knowledge unknown to the natural mind and only known by the revelation of God.]

 g. [even] the hidden [wisdom] [Strong:  613 apokrupto ap-ok-roop'-to from 575 and 2928; to conceal away (i.e. fully); figuratively, to keep secret:--hide.]  [Zodhiates: to hide with a benevolent purpose, either because of the incapacity of the receiver to understand or because of the knowledge of the revealer that such revelation of hidden things would not benefit the receiver.]

1). In these definitions I can see the New Covenant that was hidden to the people and prophets of the Old Covenant.

a). Ephesians 3:1-6 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3:2 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

3:3 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

3:4 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;

3:5 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

2. “…which God ordained before the world unto our glory…”

a. which [Strong: 3739. hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. God [Strong: 2316 * 2316. theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

c. ordained [Strong: 4309. proorizo pro-or-id'-zo from 4253 and 3724; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine:--determine before, ordain, predestinate.]

d. before [Strong: 4253. pro pro a primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to:--above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same significations.]

e. the world [Strong: 165. aion ahee-ohn' from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).]

f. unto [Strong:  1519. eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

g. our [Strong: 2257. hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

h. glory [Strong: 1391. doxa dox'-ah from the base of 1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.]

1). This helps reveal that the plan of redemption was planned out before the creation of the earth.

a). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

2). Some commentators and references notes in my Bibles point to the Second Coming of Christ in regard to this part of the verse, in particular the passing out of rewards to the faithful. While I definitely believe that is true, I also believe that it is speaking of us as believers receiving the mysteries of the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom through the revelation knowledge of the Spirit of God and incorporating it into our obedient lives in order to grow spiritually, from faith to faith and glory to glory now in this life.

a). Romans 1:16, 17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

b). 1 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

3). The Scripture is speaking here not only of the New Covenant and all the wisdom included in the redemption of man. It is also speaking how that God created the universe in light of that redemption. It all reflects back to Christ Jesus.