Reflections on 1 Corinthians 2:6
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.” (1 Corinthians 2:6, NIV)
Phillips has a wonderful way of putting the last line: “the powers-that-be, who soon will be only the powers that have been.”
The wisdom we share is the wisdom of truth: to know yourself, and to see the Lord’s hand in your life. All the wisdom in all the fields of the sciences will come to nothing if it does not acknowledge that all truth comes from God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), and in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
Who are “the mature”? Beck calls them those who are “ripe for it.” The Remedy says this wisdom is understood by “those whose minds are being healed and transformed.” Maturity here is not age or education.
The mature Christian is one who is aware of their effect on others. They will be kind and understanding even when they are exhausted, knowing their words and actions can strongly affect a hurting young soul. The consistency that comes with maturity is a trait others come to rely on: the one who is always rock solid. This is true only because they have found the solid Rock to stand upon, one that never moves or rocks their world (Matthew 7:24–25). All they are is safe in the hands of Christ, and they can say with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).
And that is what genuine Wisdom is: speaking the words needed to the one who needs to hear them, just when they are ready to hear and learn. Isaiah knew this gift: “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isaiah 50:4). This wisdom can only come from the working of the Holy Spirit in your life.
So don’t let big words and impressive titles intimidate you. The truth you stand on, the wisdom you share, is from the One who created the entire universe, set everything in motion, and sustains it all. You can trust this truth, because He is completely interested in you and your life, and He will heal all the damage in you.
When Christ is done with us, the most simple will be as wise as Solomon (after he repented and got his mind right). “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
