Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
Yet the Gospel, so far from being at variance with "wisdom," is a wisdom infinitely higher than that of the world.
We speak - resuming "we" (preachers, I, Apollos, etc.) from 1 Corinthians 1:23, only that here, "we speak," refers to something less public (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7) than 'we preach.' For "wisdom" here denotes, not the whole Christian doctrine, but its deeper principles.
Perfect - among the matured in Christian experience, who alone can appreciate the Christian wisdom: distinguished not only from worldly men, but also from babes (1 John 2:12-14) who, though "in Christ," retain much that is "carnal" (1 Corinthians 3:1-2), and cannot therefore understand the deeper truths (1 Corinthians 14:20: margin, Hebrews 5:14); or, "those sincere in the faith" (Philippians 1:5) (Theodoret). "Mystery," or "hidden wisdom" (1 Corinthians 2:7), is not some hidden tradition besides the Gospel (like the Church of Rome's 'disciplina arcani' and doctrine of reserve), but the unfolding of the treasures of knowledge once hidden in God's counsels, but now announced to all, and intelligently comprehended in proportion as the hearers' inner life became perfectly renewed. (Compare instances of such 'mysteries,' 1 Corinthians 15:51; Romans 11:25; Ephesians 3:3; Ephesians 3:5-6.) "God" (1 Corinthians 2:7) is opposed to "this world," the apostles to "the princes" (philosophers, rhetoricians, and rulers) (1 Corinthians 2:8: cf. 1 Corinthians 1:20).
Come to nought (1 Corinthians 1:28). They are transient; therefore their wisdom is not real. Translate, 'are being brought to nought'-namely, by God's choosing the "things which are not (the weak and desposed things of the Gospel), to bring to nought [the same verb, katargeesee (G2673)] things that are" (1 Corinthians 1:28).
Verse 7. Wisdom of God - contrasted with the wisdom of men and of this world (1 Corinthians 2:5-6).
In a mystery. We speak God's wisdom, dealing with a mystery - i:e., not to be kept hidden, but heretofore so, and now revealed (Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:5-6; Romans 16:25-26). The Pagan mysteries were revealed only to a few; the Gospel mysteries to all who would obey the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3). Ordinarily "mystery" refers to those from whom the knowledge is withheld. In the letters it refers to those to whom it is revealed. It is hidden in God until brought forward; and when brought forward, it still remains hidden to the carnal.
Ordained - literally, foreordained (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9), foredestined х prooorisen (G4309)].
Before the world - Greek, 'before the ages' (of time); i:e., from eternity. This infinitely antedates worldly wisdom: before not only the world's wisdom, but eternally before the world itself and its ages.
Unto our glory - ours both now and hereafter, from "the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8). Elsewhere, "to His glory," for He is glorified in our being so through Him (Ephesians 1:6; John 17:10; John 17:24).