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Rather, we speak God’s wisdom,[a] mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age[b] knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written:

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
    and what has not entered the human heart,
    what God has prepared for those who love him,”(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:7–10a God’s wisdom: his plan for our salvation. This was his own eternal secret that no one else could fathom, but in this new age of salvation he has graciously revealed it to us. For the pattern of God’s secret, hidden to others and now revealed to the Church, cf. also Rom 11:25–36; 16:25–27; Eph 1:3–10; 3:3–11; Col 1:25–28.
  2. 2:8 The rulers of this age: this suggests not only the political leaders of the Jews and Romans under whom Jesus was crucified (cf. Acts 4:25–28) but also the cosmic powers behind them (cf. Eph 1:20–23; 3:10). They would not have crucified the Lord of glory: they became the unwitting executors of God’s plan, which will paradoxically bring about their own conquest and submission (1 Cor 15:24–28).

No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery(A) that has been hidden(B) and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age(C) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.(D) However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Isaiah 64:4