Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Ver. 12. Not the spirit of the world] The world lieth down in that unclean one, and is under the power and vassalage of that spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, as a smith in his forge, 1 John 5:19; Ephesians 2:2. It is wholly "set upon wickedness," as Aaron saith of the people, Exodus 32:22 .
That we might know] A sweet mercy; the cormorants of the world will not let their heirs know what they will do for them till they die. But God assures his of heaven beforehand. Thus we have not received of the spirit of this world: we cannot shift and plot as they can; but we have received a better thing, and have no reason to repine.