come to nought. Since all the humanistic philosophy of the world's intellectuals will eventually come to nothing, it seems foolish to waste valuable time studying philosophy, except possibly for the purpose of refuting it.

before the world. True wisdom, centered in Christ, existed in the heart of God before the world began. “Doth not wisdom cry? ... The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was ... For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:1, 22-23, 35-36).

as it is written. The reference comes from Isaiah 64:4, but Paul has interpreted “waiteth for Him” as “love Him.” The glories of “the new heavens and the new earth” (Isaiah 66:22) are beyond human imagination, for they are being “prepared” for us by Christ Himself (John 14:2-3).

hath revealed. Some of these heavenly glories have, indeed, been revealed to us through the Apostle John, in Revelation 21 and 22.

the Holy Ghost teacheth. Paul thus claims that his teachings are not really his, but God's, for their very words are taught by the Holy Spirit. This is a clear claim to divine verbal inspiration of Paul's own epistles.

the natural man. The “natural” man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ's atoning sacrifice for Him, but even that is “foolishness” to Him (1 Corinthians 1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality (John 16:7-11). The Spirit, of course, may use His Word and the witness of believers guided by Him to accomplish this.

mind of the Lord. See note on Isaiah 40:13 and note on Romans 11:34.

the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you,” says Paul, “which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5), referring to His humility and His willingness to suffer and die that others might be saved.