Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:6

What does 1 Corinthians 2:6 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:6 means

Paul is not anti-wisdom; he speaks wisdom “among them that are fullgrown,” meaning those maturing in Christ. Yet this wisdom is not from the present age or its leaders, who are “coming to nought.” Their philosophies and powers are temporary and unable to grasp God’s saving plan. God’s wisdom belongs to a different order—eternal, divine, and transformative. It does not flatter human pride or secure worldly status. To the mature, it makes sense because they have begun to see reality by God’s light. Paul thus distinguishes spiritual wisdom from the passing brilliance of an age that will soon be exposed as insufficient.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But still we have wisdom for those who are complete in knowledge, though not the wisdom of this world, and not of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And wisdom we speak among the perfect, and wisdom not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age--of those becoming useless,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But we speak wisdom among the perfect; but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought.

Context

After insisting that faith must rest on God’s power (v.5), Paul anticipates the charge that he rejects wisdom altogether. Verse 6 answers: he does speak wisdom, but not the world’s. This prepares for verse 7’s description of God’s hidden plan and verse 8’s statement that the rulers did not recognize it. The flow contrasts two wisdoms and two destinies: the age and its rulers fade; God’s wisdom stands and grants glory to those who receive it by the Spirit.

v.5that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

v.6This passage

v.7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.

  • Acts 4:25

    who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things?

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Hebrews 5:14

    But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

  • Psalms 37:37

    Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; For there is ahappyend to the man of peace.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18

    For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 2:6.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary