Broadcast Summaries

The Necessity of Illumination

Unless the Author is dwelling in you, it is impossible for you to properly understand and interpret the Scriptures.

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In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit sets up a great contrast throughout this passage between the natural, and the spiritual, between that which is of this world, and that which is of faith in Christ. He speaks, on the one hand, of 'human wisdom' (verse 3) - 'the wisdom of men' (verse 4) - 'the wisdom of this age' (verse 5)  'the things of man' (verse 11) - 'the spirit of the world' (verse 12) - and 'man's wisdom' (verse 13).

He speaks, on the other hand, of 'the demonstration of the Spirit and of power' (verse 4) - 'the power of God' (verse 5) - 'the wisdom of God' and 'hidden wisdom' (verse 7) - 'the deep things of God' (verse 10) - 'wisdom which the Holy Spirit teaches' (verse 13) - 'things that are spiritually discerned' (verse 14) - and 'the mind of Christ' (verse 16).

The sum of the chapter is this: Unless the Author is dwelling in you, it is impossible for you to properly understand and interpret the Scriptures.

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