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Response
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, the apostle Paul shared a profound statement that has captivated believers for many generations: “But as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived’—God has prepared these things for those who love him” «But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him. », (1 Corinthians 2:9, CSB). As part of a broader teaching on the contrast between human wisdom and the wisdom found in the gospel message, Paul drew from the book of Isaiah: “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” «For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. », (Isaiah 64:4, NLT).
The believers in Corinth had been relying on human wisdom to address issues within the church. They had been placing a high value on worldly intellect and philosophy over the Christian message. Paul emphasized that God’s wisdom is unveiled through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10,12-14) and can only be comprehended by those who are spiritually mature. If the rulers of the world had understood the gospel message, they would not have crucified Christ: “Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he maDo it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8; NLT).
Paul summed up mature Christian wisdom as the message of the gospel: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” «For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. », (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV). Wisdom is the message of Jesus Christ crucified. Long before the world began, the heavenly Father chose to send His Son to die on a cross and become the way of salvation. And in His inscrutable wisdom, God planned to bring along all those who love Him to share in His glory.
This is what no ordinary human eyes have seen—the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. No unregenerated ears have heard and received the truth in the gospel message of salvation. No unenlightened minds have perceived the mysteries of God, for they are beyond human thinking. True wisdom that pierces the senses can only be received and understood through a special revelation from the Spirit of God: “For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” «But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. », (1 Corinthians 2:10, NLT).
Just as the Corinthians relied on worldly wisdom, many Christians today still search in all the wrong places for discernment and insight. We think we are making wise decisions, all the while ignoring the counsel of God’s Word. Just as Paul wanted the Corinthians to grow up into maturity, Go
God calls us today “to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” “but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”, (Ephesians 4:15, ESV).
God desires to do much more for us, in us, and through us if we allow Him to have His way: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Many Christians interpret 1 Corinthians 2:9 as a promise of future blessings in heaven. This interpretation is valid, but our heavenly abode was not the immediate context of Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 2:9 or of the prophecy in Isaiah 64:4. The main idea that eyes have not seen what God has planned for those who love Him points to the mystery of the gospel, which is not understood by natural means. The human mind cannot comprehend it because God’s Spirit alone reveals it.
Paul correctly applied Isaiah’s words to support his argument that only the spiritually mature can grasp the mysteries of God. Those who view things from an earthly perspective with human eyes have not seen all the blessings God has prepared for His children. The message of the gospel holds more beauty and worth than anyone can grasp without the Holy Spirit. The unsaved truly do not realize what they are missing. Yet, there are still unseen wonders that even mature believers have yet to fully understand. Such is the richness and depth of God’s plan of salvation.
If we apply the concept of what no eye has seen to what awaits us in heaven, we can relate it to many rewards promised in Scripture. James mentions one such anticipated marvel that God has prepared for those who love Him: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, h
Having endured the test, that individual will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” «Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. », (James 1:12).
Even though God has revealed some of His glory to us «For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. », (1 Corinthians 13:12), the human mind cannot fully grasp the marvelous blessings God has in store for His children. Since the Bible does not tell us a lot about heaven, limited details dim our view. Whatever wonder we’ve seen before, heaven’s guaranteed to be better. Whatever joyous news we’ve heard already, heaven’s news reaches far beyond. Even the most incredible wonders we can dream up fade before the realities God has planned for those who love and follow Him. We know it will be the most incredible experience of our lives to be with the Lord in heaven, but for now, we can only imagine how outstanding it will be.
