Useful Bible Studies > 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 2

Who knows God’s thoughts?

1 Corinthians 2:16

Paul’s question comes from Isaiah 40:13. ‘Who knows God’s thoughts?’ he asks. We expect the answer ‘nobody’. But that is not Paul’s answer.

It is clear that God’s thoughts are much greater and more wonderful than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Our ideas are weak, but his plans achieve their purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

Our thoughts are weak because we are thinking the wrong things (Isaiah 55:7). In that verse, God urges us not to follow our evil thoughts and wicked ways. In fact, if we obey him, he will show us a much better way to live (Isaiah 55:1-3).

The Bible is saying that we must change our attitudes completely (John 3:3). Or rather, because we cannot do that ourselves, we must allow God to change us (2 Corinthians 5:17). That is possible because of Christ’s death (Romans 8:1-3). So we must confess our evil deeds to God, and we must put our trust in him (Acts 3:19).

And when we do that, a wonderful change happens in our lives. God forgives us, and he gives us his Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). With the Holy Spirit, we can understand the things that God is doing in our lives (2:12).

Only someone who has God’s Spirit can understands God’s thoughts (2:11). But Christ has given his Holy Spirit to his people (John 16:5-15). So now, they think as Christ thinks. In other words, they have the mind of Christ.

Next part: The cause of wrong attitudes among Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

 

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© 2014, Keith Simons.