“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

{1 Corinthians 2:16}

The mind of the Lord reaches back to its counsel and forward to its fulness with justifiable provision made by Himself. The mind of the Lord is the cause, reason, and intent for all things. The mind of the Lord is composed of that which is “of Him”, “through Him”, and “to Him”. There is no answer that the mind of the Lord does not grant. It is “first” and “preeminent”. All God’s purpose in Christ detailed in “spirit” is “the mind of the Lord”. This mind is definitive, glorious, and eternal. This mind will not return void as it is zealously performed by the Lord.

Knowing such excellency gives clarity to Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 2:16. The mind of the Lord is not known by man but received to be known by those that love Him. Therefore, we need not search and seek for another source, but search and seek that which has been freely given. Another consequence of the limitation of man to know “the mind of the Lord” is that he cannot “instruct” the spiritual. Of course, he can, but to what avail? Well, to the same outcome that is his lot – perishing vanity. Wherefore, how can the natural man instruct the spiritual? His hands are tied and if loosed to found he has no hands. It is impossible. The contradiction is staggering and set forth in a probing, gut-wrenching, rhetorical question. The natural man may not instruct the spiritual.

The final contrast set forth is the truth that Paul had the mind of Christ. The implications of this will stem into chapters three and four; however, one of them is Paul in all his weakness, fear, and trembling possesses eternal riches that are the foremost expertise of all things. No wonder we are to glory in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:31). The mind of the Lord is before that which man concocted in the vanity of their mind and therefore essentially instructive to all His creatures, especially them that believe in Him and that love Him. Consider two other occasions where this point is made:

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” ~ 1 Thessalonians. 2:13

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”
~ 2 Timothy 2:7

We must be on guard to remember “we have the mind of Christ” for anything less is to be spoiled from that which is “after Christ”. We have that which to meekly instruct, judge, and give to both natural and spiritual. May we never forget it!

Look Up,
Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher