• 1 Corinthians 2:7
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 7 ἀλλὰ but λαλοῦμεν we are speaking θεοῦ of God σοφίαν wisdom ἐν in μυστηρίῳ, mystery, τὴν the [wisdom] ἀποκεκρυμμένην, having been hidden, ἣν which προώρισεν defined beforehand ὁ the θεὸς God πρὸ before τῶν the αἰώνων ages εἰς into δόξαν glory ἡμῶν· of us;

  • 1 Corinthians Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 2:7

      God’s wisdom in a sacred secret: That is, the wise arrangement that God put in place for ending the rebellion that started in Eden and for bringing about universal peace and unity. (See Glossary, “Sacred secret.”) The declaration of the “sacred secret” (Greek, my·steʹri·on; see study note on Mt 13:11) began with Jehovah’s prophecy at Ge 3:15. Jehovah’s “sacred secret” centers on Jesus Christ. (Eph 1:9, 10; Col 2:2) It includes Jesus’ identity as the promised offspring, or Messiah, and his role in God’s Kingdom (Mt 13:11); the selection of anointed ones​—taken from among both Jews and Gentiles​—to be Christ’s joint heirs, with whom he shares the Kingdom (Lu 22:29, 30; Ro 11:25; Eph 3:3-6; Col 1:26, 27); and the unique nature of this congregation composed of 144,000 “bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb” (Re 14:1, 4). These facets can be understood only by those who thoroughly study the Scriptures.

      the hidden wisdom: Paul called the sacred secret “the hidden wisdom,” that is, hidden from “the rulers of this system of things.” (1Co 2:8) God through his spirit reveals this secret to his Christian servants so that they might make it public.

      the systems of things: The Greek word used here, ai·onʹ, has the basic meaning “age.” It can refer to a state of affairs or to features that distinguish a certain period of time. In this context, the term refers to those systems that have developed during man’s history since the rebellion in Eden.​—See Glossary, “System(s) of things,” and study note on 1Co 10:11.