1 Corinthians 2:16
ESV
"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
NIV
for, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
NASB
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE Lord, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
CSB
For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
NLT
For, 'Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?' But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
KJV
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
NKJV
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
What does 1 Corinthians 2:16 mean?
Paul now quotes from Isaiah 40:13 to sum up his teaching in this section. Paul uses the quote to ask a self-answering question: who understands the Lord's mind? Who teaches the Lord anything?Of course, no human person teaches God anything. He knows all (Isaiah 55:8–9). Paul's answer to the question confirms and adds a layer to what he has already written. We have the mind of Christ. By that, he seems to mean that, aided by the Holy Spirit, believers have been given access to the thoughts of Christ. We have been given the ability to see what is spiritual and to think what Christ thinks.
It's possible that Paul is also referring to the previous verse in which he wrote that nobody can judge "spiritual people," meaning those given the power to understand and believe God's revelation. Since nobody can teach the Lord anything and we have the mind of Christ—through the Holy Spirit—someone who is not spiritual has no standing to judge someone who is (1 Corinthians 2:14).
First Corinthians 2:6–16 describes the difference between human wisdom and God's wisdom. Human wisdom is limited to what can be observed and worked out with human reason. Scripture points out the value of reason and knowledge (Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 2:15), while demonstrating a difference between what man's mind can achieve and what God's Spirit can reveal. God's wisdom, including His plan to offer salvation through Christ's crucifixion, must be received and believed spiritually through God's Holy Spirit. Without the help of the Spirit, people cannot believe what is spiritual, so they reject all spiritual truth as foolishness. Christians, though, have access to the mind of Christ because of God's Holy Spirit with us.
When Paul first came to Corinth, he did not present the gospel to them with lofty speech and impressive arguments. He presented the truth as simply as he could so their faith would be based on God's power and not human wisdom. Only those with God's Spirit can understand the truths revealed by God, including Christ crucified for human sinfulness. Those without God's Spirit are limited to what can be observed and worked out with human reason. God's Spirit makes it possible for us to understand and believe spiritual things.
