But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us (1 Co 2:10–12).
Paul uses the phrase "these things have been revealed to us" in reference to things hidden to the eye, ear and mind. The Greek word used for "revealed" in this verse is "apokaluptō", which generally implies an act of disclosure or unveiling. In the original language, the phrase suggests a one-time past event rather than an ongoing or continuous action, and it indicates that at some point in the past, these things were made known or disclosed to Paul and those he was addressing. It does not imply a continuous revelation or ongoing unveiling.
During our experience, we have heard ministries use this text to justify extra-biblical revelation. The notion being communicated, “We are apostles, and God through the Holy Spirit is revealing new mysteries to us modern Apostles.”
While the immediate context of 1 Corinthians 2:10 does not provide a specific timeframe for when this revelation occurred, In the broader context of Paul's writings, it is understood that the revelation of God's wisdom took place through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This pivotal historical event brought about a new understanding of God's plan of salvation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2)
However, that is not to say God does not speak to us, nor is it to say the Holy Spirit can not show us new things in the word. Paul does speak about ongoing revelation and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
First, Galatians 5:16-25: Paul speaks about walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit, indicating an ongoing relationship and dependence on the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Spirit produces fruit in the believer’s life, guiding and transforming them continually.
Again, in Ephesians 1:17-18: Paul prays that the Ephesian believers would receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened. This suggests an ongoing process of receiving revelation and understanding through the work of the Holy Spirit. We think, however, that for this kind of application, we would say to be very careful, and though we may be jumping ahead, we would agree with Paul, 'Do not go beyond what is written.'" (1 Cor. 4:6)
However, concerning the passage we are considering today, the language used indicates a specific event in the past when the wisdom of God was made known to Paul and his audience, namely, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to Paul, there is no greater mystery coming! We are not saying there are no other mysteries, for even later in this same letter, Paul speaks of a mystery stating that “we shall not all sleep,” in which the word sleep is a euphemism for death. However, the greatest mystery in history has happened.
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. That is to say, God entered the world as a man and became one of us, but he was not honored – He was humiliated, not Loved - He was Laughed at, not crowned as king - He was killed as a criminal. Jesus, the Father of creation, experienced hatred, brutality, disrespect, final mutiny, and rejection. He was brutally executed, buried, and on the third day, He rose from the dead.
It seems to us; here that Paul is saying to the Corinthian church, “the mysteries of the lamb slain for before the foundation of the earth, that was spoken of through the types and shadows of the law and the mouths of the prophets, while hid to them in ages past has been reveal and has unfolded in our time!”
Perhaps for us, the modern reader, the passage reminds us of the profound significance of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It speaks to unveiling the mysteries foreshadowed in the Old Testament through various types, shadows, and prophecies. The revelation of these mysteries signifies the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, bringing salvation and reconciliation to humanity.
Reflecting on this deepens our understanding of the magnitude of God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It emphasizes that the ultimate mystery of God's plan for salvation has already been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no greater mystery yet to be unveiled.
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