DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
1 Corinthians 2:6-9 (9/5) Epistle
for Saturday of the Thirteenth Week after Pentecost
Two Wisdoms: 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, especially vs. 7: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory....” Read this passage closely to see that
the Apostle is contrasting two types of wisdom: “...the wisdom of
God...” (vs. 7) and “...the wisdom of this age...” (vs. 6). While
However, there is a bridge across this
insuperable wisdom-gap, across this barrier that so confounded “...the
rulers of this age...” (vs. 8) that they made what might be called 'the
blunder of all history,' that they “...crucified the Lord of glory”
(vs. 8). There are two usages of
the word “glory” in the present passage: 1) in the phrase,
“...the Lord of glory” (vs. 8), and 2) in a phrase,
when the Apostle speaks of God’s wisdom “...ordained before the
ages for our glory” (vs. 7).
Confessing Christians know that glory applies
to God, for we say, “Glory to Thee, Who hast
shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest...” and “Glory to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.” But in this text, surprisingly,
The supreme truth is that God the Word,
“...the Lord of glory,” Christ our Savior came among us in our
limited, impaired wisdom and delivered God’s wisdom in a manner we can
grasp: He became a fellow human being, lovingly, kindly, giving Himself,
thereby manifesting the incredible “...wisdom of God...” (vs. 7). But the
Lord of Glory Who came did so with a purpose. It was not to dazzle us with God’s
wisdom, but to convey God’s wisdom to us, to transform us with God’s
loving wisdom so that we might begin loving as He loves. All along, from before time,
“...God has prepared [some things] for those who love Him” (vs.
9). The loving glory of God became
manifest in Christ Jesus; and He made it possible for us to express it equally
well, if we will return His love by manifesting His glorious love to others.
The wraps are removed from the
“...wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory...” (vs. 7).
God’s wisdom is no longer hidden for hearts that will open to
Him. True, “...none of the
rulers of this age...” (vs. 8) knew this wisdom incarnate. Indeed not! Sadly, they closed their hearts to
Him. They “...crucified the
Lord of glory” (vs. 8) and they would not have done so “...had they
known...” (vs. 8) Him. And knowing Him is not all that
difficult. Some received Him; and
“...as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn. 1:12,13). That is
the record.
The Apostle is speaking to us: the glory of
the Only Begotten can be your glory and mine.
God prepared a glory-transfer before time, history and the
ages began. We can be loving
children of God, receive the glory He has prepared for us, and actually love in
Christ-like fashion.
Master, grant me love
unfeigned, Thy wisdom, and the fulfilling of Thy commandments.
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