What Does it Mean to Have the Mind of Christ? (1 Cor. 2:1-16)
A study of Paul's first epistle to the church of Corinth
A while back I tried on my friend’s glasses for fun. He has a prescription that is way stronger than mine. The moment I put them on, everything blurred. I couldn’t focus on anything. My eyes felt strained, and after just a few seconds, I got a headache trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
Nothing about the world had changed. The objects and the people were all still there in the room, but my perception was completely distorted. I wasn’t seeing reality clearly because I was using the wrong lenses.
Then I put my own glasses back on, and instantly, the strain lifted. My vision was sharp. I could focus. Everything came into proper alignment. Same room, same surroundings, but a completely different experience all because of the lens I was looking through.
That’s exactly what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 2.
Spiritual truth can’t be grasped with the "lenses" of human intellect alone. People can hear the gospel, read Scripture, even study theology, and still miss the heart of it because they’re trying to see it through the wrong prescription. Paul says the “natural person,” or unbeliever, doesn’t accept the things of the Spirit of God. He says they seem like foolishness to them. It’s not that the truth isn’t there; it’s that the unregenerate heart doesn’t have the capacity to truly perceive it.
However, when we come to Christ, we’re given a new set of eyes—a proper prescription.
Paul says we now have the mind of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, we’re given the right lenses. Suddenly, we see the beauty of the cross. We understand what once seemed foolish. We discern what’s true and what’s false. The same Bible we may have ignored or misunderstood suddenly becomes alive and sharp. Not because we got smarter, but because the Spirit opened our eyes.
So many people are stumbling through life with spiritual eyes that can’t focus. They’re trying to evaluate eternal truths through human means, and it will always come up blurry. Only when the Spirit gives us the lens of Christ’s mind can we see clearly.
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
What Does It Mean to Have the Mind of Christ?
What makes Christian faith powerful isn’t persuasive arguments, lofty rhetoric, or intellectual finesse—but the Spirit of God working through the simple message of Christ crucified. In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul pulls back the curtain on how true spiritual wisdom works. He reminds the Corinthian church that the gospel was never about human brilliance—it was always about divine power.
This chapter takes us deeper than the surface. Paul contrasts the passing wisdom of this age with the eternal, hidden wisdom of God—wisdom that can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit. Human reasoning can’t grasp it. Natural minds can’t receive it. However, those who have the Spirit are invited into the very thoughts of God.
Here’s the astonishing claim Paul makes at the end: we have the mind of Christ.
This remarkable truth that the believer possesses the very mind of Christ raises essential implications. What does that mean for us and how should it shape the way we live, think, and discern truth? Let’s explore!
Proclaiming Christ with Power, Not Performance
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (v. 1-5)
Beginning chapter 2, Paul is recalling the time when he first proclaimed the whole counsel of God to the church (Acts 20:27) and taught the Corinthians the word of God (Acts 18:11). Here he’s emphasizing the central focus of his preaching was always Jesus Christ and Him crucified—the One who paid the penalty for sin on the cross. In fact, the message of the cross was so central in the early church that believers were accused of worshiping a dead man. Until someone believes and understands the gospel, there is nothing more foundational to say.
By the time Paul arrived in Corinth, he had already endured intense persecution. He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, driven out of Thessalonica and Berea, and mocked in Athens. It’s likely that Paul arrived physically weak and worn, but spiritually powerful. He didn’t rely on theatrics or emotional manipulation to stir up a response. His “fear and trembling” wasn’t fear of man, but a holy reverence for the weight of his mission.
It’s widely understood that Paul had a pretty great education—the equivalent to multiple graduate-level degrees. He was not just smart for his time, he was among the most educated of anyone in the ancient world, especially among early Christian leaders. However, he relied on the Spirit’s power, not rhetorical brilliance. Why? So faith would rest on God, not human wisdom.
Could Paul have crafted flawless speeches to win over crowds? Absolutely. However, he understood that’s not how the gospel works. As we explored in the previous article, the message of salvation is so simple that it requires only childlike faith. Children don’t need logical proofs or eloquent presentations, they simply believe what they’re told. That’s how the gospel spreads: not through human sophistication, but through Spirit-empowered truth and child-like faith.
This truth is a needed reminder for us as we share the gospel today. Evangelism isn’t about having the perfect words, polished arguments, or eloquent delivery. It’s not about debating people into the kingdom. The power to save doesn’t rest in our ability to reason—it rests in the power of God's Word and the work of the Holy Spirit. This truth should give us great peace and confidence in sharing the gospel with people, it’s not about our competency, capability, or comprehension of every detail, it’s the power of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.
Our commission as the Church universally is to faithfully proclaim Christ crucified. Whether we feel eloquent or inadequate, our confidence lies not in ourselves, but in the One who draws hearts and opens eyes. Like Paul, we only need to speak the Truth plainly, but we should do so with reverence (fear and trembling,) knowing that the Spirit uses even weak vessels to reveal the wisdom of God.
Nevertheless, Paul isn’t dismissing wisdom altogether—he simply redefines it. There is a divine wisdom, not rooted in this age, that God graciously imparts to His people.
The Wisdom of God Revealed to the Mature
“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”” (v. 6-9)
The first question that arises from this passage is: Who are the mature?
Paul has already emphasized how simple the gospel is; it only requires childlike faith. Therefore, it’s clear that he isn’t referring to physical age or intellectual development. Instead, “the mature” refers to those who have received spiritual wisdom through salvation. This is not a result of personal achievement but a status granted by the Spirit. It’s true, objective maturity rooted in the wisdom of God.
This wisdom is not from this age or from the rulers of this world. In other words, it’s not tied to any particular point in human history or to those in worldly power—whether political, cultural, or philosophical. God's wisdom transcends human history and authority. It is eternal. It is a “hidden and secret wisdom,” ordained by God before the ages for our glory. It cannot be discovered through natural means, which is why Paul quotes Isaiah here. His quote is used here to bolster the fact that God’s wisdom doesn’t come from what the eye sees, the ear hears, or the heart imagines. Human reasoning alone cannot lead anyone to saving knowledge. God makes it known by revelation, inspiration, and illumination. (We’ll unpack each of these in the next section.)
Another important question arises when Paul says in verse 7 that this wisdom was “decreed before the ages for our glory.” What does Paul mean by “our glory”? This idea appears elsewhere in his writings. For example, in Romans 8:18 and Ephesians 3:8–13. These passages refer to the future glory that awaits believers: our bodily resurrection, our final transformation into Christlikeness, and our eternal inheritance with Him. Paul is reminding us that the wisdom of God doesn’t just save us, it prepares us for that glory.
This quote from Isaiah 64:4 reinforces the point Paul is making that God’s wisdom and plan for His people cannot be discovered through human faculties or reason. Objective evidence and subjective insight alone cannot produce saving knowledge. It is not something we climb up to grasp—it is something God graciously brings down and gives.
God’s wisdom is divinely ordained, spiritually discerned, and sovereignly distributed to those who love Him.
The Spirit Who Reveals, Inspires, and Illuminates
“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (v. 10-14)
Paul now expands on how God communicates His wisdom to humanity. This wisdom is not revealed through human intellect or eloquence, but through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In these verses, we see three essential ministries of the Spirit at work: Revelation, Inspiration, and Illumination.
Revelation & Inspiration (v. 10–13)
Paul begins by stating that “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
Revelation is God’s act of making His truth known—truth that cannot be discovered by human reason or natural observation alone. In Biblical terms, revelation refers to the moments when God disclosed divine truth directly to His prophets, apostles, and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. This includes both general revelation (God’s self-disclosure through creation and conscience) and special revelation (God’s direct communication through the prophets, Scripture, and Christ Himself).
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” — Hebrews 1:1–2
“For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” — Amos 3:7
Through the Spirit, this divine wisdom was not only revealed but also written down under the Spirit’s direction. This leads us to the doctrine of inspiration.
Inspiration is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit upon the original authors of Scripture, enabling them to write exactly what God intended—without error—while still using their own voice, style, and experience.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” — 2 Timothy 3:16
“…men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:21
The Bible is not merely a collection of religious writings—it is the authoritative and inerrant Word of God, inspired by the Spirit who searches and knows the depths of God Himself.
Illumination (v. 12, 14)
While revelation and inspiration apply to the original authors of Scripture, illumination applies to every believer today.
Illumination is the Spirit-empowered process by which God helps believers understand, embrace, and apply the truths found in Scripture. This is crucial because, as Paul says, “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God…they are spiritually discerned.”
We don’t need more intellect to understand Scripture—we need more dependence on the Holy Spirit. He opens our eyes to the beauty, meaning, and power of God’s Word. As we studied in our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit guides us toward Christlikeness by shaping our hearts with God’s truth. He doesn’t just inform us—He transforms us.
“ The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (v. 15-16)
Once again, Paul draws on the prophetic words of Isaiah to reinforce his point. Isaiah 40:13 reads, “Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?” In context, Isaiah is exalting the infinite wisdom of God, emphasizing that no human being is capable of advising or instructing the Lord. Paul takes this profound truth, not to elevate believers as divine, but to highlight that through the Spirit we now share in an understanding that no human could attain on their own.
Paul is not saying that the believer is beyond correction or immune to accountability (James 5:19–20). Rather, he is contrasting the unbeliever with the believer. Believers are those who, by the illuminating work of the Spirit, can properly assess and evaluate all things through a spiritual lens (Romans 8:5–9). Their life and decisions are guided by God's wisdom, not by worldly standards.
When Paul writes that the believer “is himself to be judged by no one,” he is saying that the unbeliever is not equipped to pass spiritual judgment on a believer. Why? Because spiritual truth is spiritually discerned, and the unregenerate mind lacks the capacity to perceive or evaluate those truths rightly.
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” — 2 Corinthians 4:3–4
Paul then concludes this section with a staggering statement: “But we have the mind of Christ.” What does that mean?
To “have the mind of Christ” is to share in the Spirit-given ability to understand God’s will and ways. Believers are not omniscient, nor do we instruct God, but we are given insight into God's redemptive purposes through His Word and by His Spirit (John 14:26; 1 John 2:20, 27). This is not a mystical possession of divine thought but rather a transformation of our thinking that is rooted in the gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit.
This renewed mind empowers believers to discern what pleases God, to walk in obedience, and to rightly judge spiritual matters. It is a mind shaped by Christ and Christ crucified, formed by humility, and marked by truth and love.
Therefore, while the world may misunderstand or attempt to discredit the believer, they do not have the spiritual framework to rightly assess one who is walking in the Spirit. The believer, however, through the mind of Christ, is enabled to see all of life—self, others, trials, eternity—through the lens of God’s revealed truth.
What Does It Mean to Have the Mind of Christ?
In a world obsessed with charisma, credentials, and outward success, Paul directs our attention to where true wisdom and power are found—not in persuasive speech or human brilliance, but in the gospel of Jesus Christ, made alive in us by the Spirit of God.
To the natural mind, the cross is foolishness. However, to the believer, it is the very wisdom and power of God. Additionally, that wisdom isn't something we discover through effort, intellect, or spiritual pride—it’s something we receive. This was Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians, and it still confronts us today: all spiritual understanding is a gift of grace. It’s been revealed by the Spirit, written through inspiration, and illuminated to our hearts.
So then—what does it mean that we “have the mind of Christ”?
It means we’ve been given a Spirit-enabled ability to see the world, ourselves, and the gospel through God’s perspective. We no longer think merely as the world thinks. We interpret reality through a divine lens—one shaped by Christ’s humility, sacrifice, truth, and mission.
To have the mind of Christ means:
We think differently. Our thoughts are conformed to God’s truth (Romans 12:2). His Word shapes our values, attitudes, and decisions.
We discern wisely. We can distinguish what is spiritual from what is fleshly, what is eternal from what is temporary (Hebrews 5:14).
We proclaim boldly. Our confidence doesn’t rest in our eloquence or reasoning, but in the Spirit's power. We preach Christ crucified—foolishness to some, but salvation to those who believe (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).
Therefore, let’s not be driven by performance, applause, or human validation. Let us walk by the Spirit, let us speak the truth in love, and let us live as those who truly have the mind of Christ—continually renewed, anchored in the Word, and empowered to walk in wisdom that the world cannot understand.
Application
Here are two take-home application points for today’s study in 1 Corinthians 2:
1. Seek God’s Word for Spiritual Discernment
God’s revealed and inspired Word has been given to us so that, through the Spirit’s illumination, we may understand His will and think with the mind of Christ. The Bible is not just information, it is revelation. As we read, study, and meditate on Scripture, the Spirit helps us discern truth from error, eternal from temporary, and spiritual from fleshly.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” – 2 Timothy 3:16
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” – Romans 12:2
Let your mind be continually renewed by truth. Saturate your heart in God’s Word so that your thoughts, values, and decisions are shaped by the Spirit, not the culture.
2. Proclaim the Gospel Boldly in the Spirit’s Power
Sharing the gospel does not depend on our eloquence, charisma, or intellect. It depends on God's power. Paul intentionally avoided persuasive speech so that the Corinthians’ faith would rest in the Spirit’s power, not human skill. This truth should give us great confidence. Our role is obedience; the Spirit brings the transformation.
“My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power…” – 1 Corinthians 2:4
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” – Romans 1:16
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” – Acts 1:8
Don’t let fear or inadequacy silence you. If you are in Christ, you have the Spirit of God and with Him, you have everything you need to proclaim the gospel faithfully and courageously.
