1
Κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, ἦλθον οὐ καθ' ὑπεροχὴν λόγου ἢ σοφίας καταγγέλλων ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ θεοῦ.
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the mystery of God with excellence of speech or of wisdom.
Picking up the thread of 1:17–25, Paul turns from the theology of the cross to his own practice: his arrival in Corinth deliberately renounced rhetorical and philosophical grandeur.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ; emphatic)κἀγώ: crasis of καί + ἐγώ, 'and I, I too'; resumes the argument and applies it to Paul personally.
ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιtemporal participle (antecedent action)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; the aorist marks Paul's initial arrival in Corinth as a completed event prior to the main verb.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate direct address marking a fresh appeal to the Corinthian congregation.
ἦλθονI cameAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the main verb resumes the participle ἐλθών, now qualified by the negated manner.
οὐnotnegative particle (negates the manner)
καθ'according to / withpreposition + accusative (standard/manner)κατά: 'according to'; with the accusative here it expresses the manner — 'in a way marked by excellence.'
ὑπεροχὴνsuperiority / excellenceAccusativeobject of κατά (manner)ὑπεροχή: 'pre-eminence, superiority' (ὑπέρ + ἔχω); of the lofty, ostentatious style of the professional rhetorician or sophist.
λόγουof speechGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveλόγος: here 'eloquence, rhetorical word'; the polished oratory prized in Greco-Roman Corinth.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
σοφίαςof wisdomGenitiveattributive/objective genitive (parallel to λόγου)σοφία: 'wisdom'; here human philosophical wisdom — the catchword of 1:18–2:16, set against God's wisdom in the cross.
καταγγέλλωνproclaimingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταγγέλλωadverbial participle (manner/means of ἦλθον)→ present (concurrent/durative)καταγγέλλω: 'proclaim, announce' (κατά-intensive); the herald's solemn declaration of the message.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object (recipient)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μυστήριονmysteryAccusativedirect object of καταγγέλλωνμυστήριον: 'mystery'; in Paul a once-hidden, now-revealed saving purpose of God (here, Christ crucified). NA28/THGNT read μυστήριον; some witnesses read μαρτύριον ('testimony').
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possessionθεός: God; the mystery's author and owner — it originates with him, not human insight.
2
οὐ γὰρ ἔκρινά τι εἰδέναι ἐν ὑμῖν εἰ μὴ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν καὶ τοῦτον ἐσταυρωμένον.
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The reason Paul renounced rhetorical display: a deliberate resolve to confine his message to the one scandalous theme — the crucified Messiah.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἔκρινάI decided / resolvedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive resolve)κρίνω: 'judge, decide, determine'; here of a settled resolution — Paul's deliberate ministry policy at Corinth.
τιanythingAccusativedirect object of εἰδέναι (indefinite pronoun)
εἰδέναιto knowPerf Act Inf · οἶδαcomplementary infinitive (of ἔκρινα)→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); here 'reckon with, take account of' — to confine his attention to one theme.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedative of sphere (object of ἐν)
εἰifconjunction (in εἰ μή, 'except')
μὴnotnegative particle (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ μή: 'except, unless'; marks the sole exception to the sweeping οὐ … τι — the one thing Paul did resolve to know.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeobject of εἰδέναι (in apposition to τι)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the personal name, fronted before the title to ground the message in the historical, crucified man.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeapposition (title)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; the scandal sharpens — the Messiah is the one who was crucified.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (ascensive/epexegetic)
τοῦτονthis one / himAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive, emphatic)οὗτος: 'this'; the resumptive 'and this one as crucified' rivets attention on the cross as the defining fact.
ἐσταυρωμένονcrucifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · σταυρόωpredicate/attributive participle (object complement)→ intensive perfect (abiding state)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the perfect stresses the permanent significance — the crucified-and-still-crucified Christ defines Paul's gospel (cf. 1:23).
3
κἀγὼ ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ καὶ ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ πολλῷ ἐγενόμην πρὸς ὑμᾶς,
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
Paul's own bearing matched his message: not the self-assured orator but a weak, trembling herald — the medium fitted to the crucified theme.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis καί + ἐγώ)κἀγώ: 'and I' (crasis); resumes the emphatic first person, now describing his manner of presence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/manner)
ἀσθενείᾳweaknessDativedative of manner/state (object of ἐν)ἀσθένεια: 'weakness, frailty'; bodily and/or rhetorical inadequacy, perhaps recalling the strain of his Corinthian arrival (cf. Acts 18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/manner)
φόβῳfearDativedative of manner/stateφόβος: 'fear'; not cowardice but the awed solemnity of one entrusted with God's message.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/manner)
τρόμῳtremblingDativedative of manner/stateτρόμος: 'trembling, quaking'; 'fear and trembling' is a stock Pauline pairing for reverent dependence (cf. Phil 2:12).
πολλῷmuchDativeattributive adjective (with τρόμῳ)πολύς: 'much, great'; intensifies the trembling — the herald's profound sense of his own insufficiency.
ἐγενόμηνI was / came to beAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; with πρός, 'I was present with / came to be among you' — describing his condition during the stay.
πρὸςwith / topreposition + accusative (relationship/presence)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
4
καὶ ὁ λόγος μου καὶ τὸ κήρυγμά μου οὐκ ἐν πειθοῖ σοφίας λόγοις ἀλλ' ἐν ἀποδείξει πνεύματος καὶ δυνάμεως,
and my speech and my proclamation were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
The negative-positive antithesis sharpens: Paul's preaching relied not on rhetorical persuasion but on a Spirit-given, power-laden demonstration.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςspeech / messageNominativesubject (coordinate)λόγος: 'word, speech'; here the content/manner of what Paul said, paired with his act of heralding.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
κήρυγμάproclamationNominativesubject (coordinate)κήρυγμα: 'proclamation, what is heralded' (from κηρύσσω); the act/content of the public announcement.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (means/manner)
πειθοῖpersuasiveDativeattributive adjective (with λόγοις)πειθός: 'persuasive' (a rare adjective from πείθω); the phrase's exact form is textually unstable, but the sense is the persuasiveness of human wisdom.
σοφίαςof wisdomGenitiveattributive/source genitive (with λόγοις)σοφία: 'wisdom'; the wisdom whose persuasive techniques Paul refuses to lean on.
λόγοιςwordsDativedative of means (object of ἐν)λόγος: 'word'; the plural here of the artful 'words' of rhetorical persuasion.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (strong contrast)ἀλλά: 'but'; the sharp adversative pivoting from the rejected basis to the true one.
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (means)
ἀποδείξειdemonstrationDativedative of means (object of ἐν)ἀπόδειξις: 'proof, demonstration'; a rhetorical/logical term ironically reclaimed — the only 'proof' that counts is the Spirit's power.
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivesubjective/source genitive (with ἀποδείξει)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the source/agent of the convincing demonstration.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δυνάμεωςof powerGenitivesubjective/source genitive (coordinate)δύναμις: 'power'; possibly hendiadys with πνεύματος — 'the Spirit's power' (cf. 1:18, 24).
5
ἵνα ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν μὴ ᾖ ἐν σοφίᾳ ἀνθρώπων ἀλλ' ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ.
so that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
The aim of Paul's whole approach: that the Corinthians' faith rest on a sure foundation — God's power, not the shifting persuasions of human wisdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose) + subjunctiveἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the purpose clause stating the goal of Paul's self-effacing method.
ἡtheNominativearticle
πίστιςfaithNominativesubject of ᾖπίστις: 'faith, trust'; the Corinthians' believing response, whose ground is at issue.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship/subjective
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
ᾖmight bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of ἵνα clause (copula)→ present (stative)εἰμί: 'be'; the subjunctive after ἵνα — the existence/grounding of their faith is the point.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (basis/sphere)
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedative of basis (object of ἐν)σοφία: 'wisdom'; human wisdom as a (rejected) foundation for faith.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; 'of men' marks the wisdom as merely human in origin.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (basis/sphere)
δυνάμειpowerDativedative of basis (object of ἐν)δύναμις: 'power'; God's power as the secure foundation of faith — echoing 1:18, 24.
θεοῦof GodGenitivesubjective/source genitiveθεός: God; the contrast ἀνθρώπων / θεοῦ caps the antithesis of vv.1–5.
6
Σοφίαν δὲ λαλοῦμεν ἐν τοῖς τελείοις, σοφίαν δὲ οὐ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου οὐδὲ τῶν ἀρχόντων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου τῶν καταργουμένων·
Yet we do speak wisdom among the mature — but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing.
A pivot: Paul's rejection of human wisdom is not anti-intellectualism. There is a wisdom he proclaims — but it belongs to God, not to the doomed authorities of the present age.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ΣοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect object of λαλοῦμεν (fronted, emphatic)σοφία: 'wisdom'; fronted to mark the turn — Paul does deal in wisdom, of a wholly different order.
δὲyet / butadversative/transitional conjunctionδέ: 'but, and'; here mildly adversative, marking the qualification of vv.1–5.
λαλοῦμενwe speakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ customary presentλαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the present marks Paul's ongoing practice (the 'we' likely the apostolic preachers).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere/audience)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
τελείοιςmature / perfectDativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐν)τέλειος: 'mature, complete, perfect'; the spiritually grown — possibly with ironic edge toward those who prized 'maturity' in Corinth.
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect object (resumptive, with qualifying gen.)σοφία: 'wisdom'; restated to attach the disclaimers — it is not the age's wisdom.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitivepossessive/source genitive (with σοφίαν)αἰών: 'age, era'; 'this age' is the present world-order under judgment, set against the age to come.
τούτουthisGenitiveattributive demonstrative
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction (continues οὐ)
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀρχόντωνrulersGenitivepossessive/source genitive (coordinate)ἄρχων: 'ruler'; the governing powers of the age — variously read as political authorities and/or the spiritual powers behind them (cf. v.8).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitivegenitive (with ἀρχόντων)αἰών: 'age'; repeated to specify the rulers as belonging to the transient present order.
τούτουthisGenitiveattributive demonstrative
τῶνthe (ones)Genitivearticle (substantizes participle)
καταργουμένωνwho are being brought to nothingPres Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · καταργέωattributive participle (with ἀρχόντων)→ present (process underway)καταργέω: 'render ineffective, abolish, bring to nothing'; the present pictures the rulers' power as already in process of being annulled by the cross.
7
ἀλλὰ λαλοῦμεν θεοῦ σοφίαν ἐν μυστηρίῳ, τὴν ἀποκεκρυμμένην, ἣν προώρισεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων εἰς δόξαν ἡμῶν·
But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the ages for our glory —
The positive pole of the antithesis: the wisdom Paul proclaims is God's own, long concealed as a mystery, and destined before time for the believers' glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast to the negated wisdom of v.6.
λαλοῦμενwe speakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ customary presentλαλέω: 'speak'; the repeated verb fixes the contrast between the two wisdoms.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive/source genitive (fronted, emphatic)θεός: God; fronted before σοφίαν for emphasis — this wisdom is God's, not the age's.
σοφίανwisdomAccusativedirect object of λαλοῦμενσοφία: 'wisdom'; God's saving wisdom embodied in the crucified Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/form)
μυστηρίῳa mysteryDativedative of manner (object of ἐν)μυστήριον: 'mystery'; 'in a mystery' = in the form of a once-hidden, now-disclosed divine secret.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the participle, in apposition to σοφίαν)
ἀποκεκρυμμένηνhiddenPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ἀποκρύπτωattributive participle (with σοφίαν)→ intensive perfect (hidden, with abiding result)ἀποκρύπτω: 'hide away, conceal'; the perfect stresses the long-standing concealment now ended in revelation (cf. v.10).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προώρισεν)
προώρισενforeordained / predestinedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προορίζωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristπροορίζω: 'decide beforehand, predestine' (πρό + ὁρίζω); God's pre-temporal determination of this wisdom for our glory.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of προώρισενθεός: God; the sole agent of the eternal predestining purpose.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)πρό: 'before'; with the genitive, temporal — prior to the created ages.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitiveobject of πρό (time)αἰών: 'age'; 'before the ages' = in eternity past, prior to all time.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)δόξα: 'glory'; the eschatological splendor destined for believers — the goal of God's hidden wisdom.
ἡμῶνourGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive
8
ἣν οὐδεὶς τῶν ἀρχόντων τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου ἔγνωκεν· εἰ γὰρ ἔγνωσαν, οὐκ ἂν τὸν κύριον τῆς δόξης ἐσταύρωσαν.
which none of the rulers of this age has known; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Proof of the rulers' ignorance: the crucifixion itself. Had they grasped God's wisdom, they would never have crucified the very Lord of glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔγνωκεν)
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative substantive)οὐδείς: 'no one, none'; categorical denial that any ruler perceived God's wisdom.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀρχόντωνrulersGenitivepartitive genitive (with οὐδείς)ἄρχων: 'ruler'; resumes v.6 — the human (and/or demonic) authorities who engineered the cross.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
αἰῶνοςageGenitivegenitive (with ἀρχόντων)αἰών: 'age'; the present passing order to which the rulers belong.
τούτουthisGenitiveattributive demonstrative
ἔγνωκενhas knownPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ intensive perfect (came to know, with abiding result)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the perfect underscores that this wisdom remained outside their grasp.
εἰifconjunction (introduces 2nd-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the aorist indicative + ἄν it forms a contrary-to-fact (2nd-class) condition.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἔγνωσανthey had knownAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωverb of protasis (contrary-to-fact)→ constative aorist (in unreal condition)γινώσκω: 'know'; the protasis of an unfulfilled condition — 'if they had known' (but they did not).
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἂνwouldmodal particle (apodosis of unreal condition)ἄν: untranslatable modal particle; marks the apodosis as contingent/unreal — 'would (not) have.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativedirect object of ἐσταύρωσανκύριος: 'Lord'; the exalted title sharpens the paradox — they crucified the very Lord of glory.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive/qualitative genitive (with κύριον)δόξα: 'glory'; 'the Lord of glory' (cf. Ps 24:7–10) ascribes divine majesty to the crucified one — a stunning juxtaposition.
ἐσταύρωσανthey crucifiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σταυρόωverb of apodosis→ constative aoristσταυρόω: 'crucify'; the historical fact that exposes the rulers' blindness to God's wisdom.
9
ἀλλὰ καθὼς γέγραπται· Ἃ ὀφθαλμὸς οὐκ εἶδεν καὶ οὖς οὐκ ἤκουσεν καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἀνέβη, ἃ ἡτοίμασεν ὁ θεὸς τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν αὐτόν.
But, as it is written: "Things that eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and that have not arisen upon the heart of man — these God has prepared for those who love him."
A scriptural clinch (echoing Isa 64:4; 65:17): the glory God prepared lies utterly beyond unaided human perception — confirming that it must be revealed (v.10).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (contrast w/ rulers' ignorance)ἀλλά: 'but'; pivots from what the rulers failed to know to what Scripture affirms God prepared.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (citation formula)καθώς: 'just as'; introduces the OT citation formula καθὼς γέγραπται.
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωcitation-introductory verb→ intensive perfect (standing written)γράφω: 'write'; the perfect γέγραπται is the standard formula citing abiding scriptural authority.
Ἃthings whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶδεν; fronted, resumed by ἃ)ὅς: 'which'; the neuter plural relative heads the citation — the unseen, unheard things.
ὀφθαλμὸςeyeNominativesubject of εἶδενὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the organ of sight, here for human visual perception.
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the aorist (suppletive εἶδον) of perception — eye never beheld these things.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὖςearNominativesubject of ἤκουσενοὖς: 'ear'; the organ of hearing, for auditory perception.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; ear never received report of them.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (goal/onto)ἐπί: 'upon'; with the accusative, motion onto — a Semitic idiom for entering the mind.
καρδίανheartAccusativeobject of ἐπίκαρδία: 'heart'; in Semitic idiom the seat of thought, will, and imagination — 'arise upon the heart' = occur to the mind.
ἀνθρώπουof manGenitivepossessive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the universal human capacity, which fell short of these realities.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀνέβηarose / came upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend'; here idiomatically 'come into the mind' (Heb. ʿālâ ʿal-lēb).
ἃthese things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (resumes Ἃ; object of ἡτοίμασεν)ὅς: 'which'; the second relative gathers up the foregoing — these very things God prepared.
ἡτοίμασενpreparedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἑτοιμάζω: 'make ready, prepare'; God's settled provision of glory for his people.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἡτοίμασενθεός: God; the gracious preparer of what perception could not reach.
τοῖςfor thoseDativearticle (substantizes participle; dat. of advantage)
ἀγαπῶσινwho lovePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (dat. of advantage)→ customary/durative presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; 'those who love God' — covenant language for the recipients of his prepared glory.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶσιν
10
ἡμῖν δὲ ἀπεκάλυψεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος· τὸ γὰρ πνεῦμα πάντα ἐραυνᾷ, καὶ τὰ βάθη τοῦ θεοῦ.
But God has revealed them to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
The hinge of the chapter: what perception could not reach (v.9), God has revealed to us by his Spirit — who alone plumbs the very depths of God.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (fronted, emphatic)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatically fronted — the contrast with the rulers and with unaided humanity.
δὲbutadversative/transitional conjunctionδέ: 'but'; marks the decisive contrast — concealment gives way to revelation.
ἀπεκάλυψενrevealedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover, reveal' (ἀπό + καλύπτω); the unveiling of what was hidden (v.7) — the antonym of ἀποκεκρυμμένην.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the revealer, working through his Spirit.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of means/agency (object of διά)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the agent of revelation.
τὸtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject of ἐραυνᾷπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the ground for revelation — the Spirit's exhaustive knowledge of God.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of ἐραυνᾷπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope of the Spirit's searching.
ἐραυνᾷsearchesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐραυνάωmain verb→ gnomic/customary presentἐραυνάω (ἐρευνάω): 'search, examine'; the Spirit penetrates and knows all, even God's hidden counsels.
καὶevenascensive conjunction ('even')καί: here ascensive, 'even' — climaxing 'all things' with the most extreme instance.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
βάθηdepthsAccusativedirect object (in apposition to πάντα)βάθος: 'depth'; the unfathomable inner counsels and being of God (cf. Rom 11:33).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (with βάθη)θεός: God; the depths that are God's own — known only to his Spirit.
11
τίς γὰρ οἶδεν ἀνθρώπων τὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰ μὴ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ; οὕτως καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐδεὶς ἔγνωκεν εἰ μὴ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ.
For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? So also no one has known the things of God except the Spirit of God.
An a fortiori analogy grounding v.10b: just as only one's own inner spirit knows one's own thoughts, so only God's Spirit knows God's — hence revelation must come through that Spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question expecting the answer 'no one but his own spirit.'
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
οἶδενknowsPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); intuitive/inward knowing.
ἀνθρώπωνamong menGenitivepartitive genitive (with τίς)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; 'who of men' — the field from which the answer is drawn.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival; object of οἶδεν)τὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου: 'the things of the man' — his inner thoughts, intentions, self-knowledge.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουmanGenitivepossessive genitive (with τά)ἄνθρωπος: 'a person'; whose private inner world is in view.
εἰifconjunction (in εἰ μή, 'except')
μὴnotnegative particle (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ μή: 'except'; the sole exception to the negated knowing.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject (of implied οἶδεν)πνεῦμα: here the human spirit — the self-conscious inner person who alone knows his own depths.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀνθρώπουmanGenitivepossessive genitive (with πνεῦμα)
τὸthe (one)Nominativearticle (with prepositional phrase, attributive)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (location)
οὕτωςsoadverb (drawing the analogy)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; applies the human analogy to God.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival; object of ἔγνωκεν)τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ: 'the things of God' — his thoughts, counsels, the realities of v.9.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (with τά)
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative substantive)οὐδείς: 'no one'; only the Spirit of God is the exception.
ἔγνωκενhas knownPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb→ perfect with present forceγινώσκω: 'know'; the perfect — settled, full knowledge possessed by the Spirit alone.
εἰifconjunction (in εἰ μή, 'except')
μὴnotnegative particle (εἰ μή = 'except')
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject (of implied ἔγνωκεν)πνεῦμα: here the Spirit of God — who, as God's own self-consciousness, knows God exhaustively.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (with πνεῦμα)
12
ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ κόσμου ἐλάβομεν ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα εἰδῶμεν τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ χαρισθέντα ἡμῖν·
Now we received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, so that we might know the things freely given to us by God;
Drawing the inference: believers have received the very Spirit of God — not the world's spirit — precisely in order to know the gifts God has graced them with.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatic — believers, as recipients of God's Spirit, over against the world.
δὲnow / buttransitional/adversative conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβομενπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; here 'the spirit of the world' — the disposition/outlook of the present age, not the Holy Spirit.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitivepossessive/source genitiveκόσμος: 'world'; the fallen human order alienated from God (cf. 1:20–21).
ἐλάβομενwe receivedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the gift of the Spirit at conversion — received, not seized.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πνεῦμα: here the Holy Spirit — the Spirit who proceeds from God.
τὸthe (one)Accusativearticle (with prep. phrase, attributive)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἐκ)θεός: God; the source of the Spirit, marking the Spirit's divine origin and authority to reveal.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose) + subjunctiveἵνα: 'in order that'; states the purpose of receiving the Spirit — knowledge of God's gifts.
εἰδῶμενwe might knowPerf Act Subj 1 Pl · οἶδαmain verb of ἵνα clause→ perfect subjunctive with present forceοἶδα: 'know'; the experiential, appreciative knowing of what grace has bestowed.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)ὑπό: 'by'; with the genitive, marks the personal agent of a passive — God as giver.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of agency (object of ὑπό)
χαρισθένταfreely givenAor Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · χαρίζομαιsubstantival participle (object of εἰδῶμεν)→ constative aoristχαρίζομαι: 'give freely, grant as a favor' (from χάρις, 'grace'); the gifts are sheer grace, not earned.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of advantage/indirect object
13
ἃ καὶ λαλοῦμεν οὐκ ἐν διδακτοῖς ἀνθρωπίνης σοφίας λόγοις ἀλλ' ἐν διδακτοῖς πνεύματος, πνευματικοῖς πνευματικὰ συγκρίνοντες.
which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to spiritual people.
The Spirit not only gives the gifts to be known but also the very words to express them: Spirit-taught speech, matching spiritual content to spiritual recipients.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἃwhich thingsAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λαλοῦμεν)ὅς: 'which'; resumes 'the things freely given' of v.12.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunctionκαί: 'also'; not only know (v.12) but also speak these things.
λαλοῦμενwe speakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ customary presentλαλέω: 'speak'; the same verb of vv.6–7, now stressing the Spirit-given medium of expression.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (means/manner)
διδακτοῖςtaughtDativeattributive verbal adjective (with λόγοις)διδακτός: 'taught, instructed' (verbal adj. of διδάσκω); 'words taught by human wisdom' = the trained eloquence Paul rejects.
ἀνθρωπίνηςhumanGenitiveattributive genitive (with σοφίας)ἀνθρώπινος: 'human, belonging to man'; qualifies the wisdom as merely human.
σοφίαςof wisdomGenitivegenitive of source/agency (with διδακτοῖς)σοφία: 'wisdom'; the teacher of the rejected words.
λόγοιςwordsDativedative of means (object of ἐν)λόγος: 'word'; the verbal medium — contrast the source of the words, not their existence.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (means)
διδακτοῖςtaughtDativesubstantival verbal adjective (object of ἐν; 'words' implied)διδακτός: 'taught'; 'taught by the Spirit' — the divine source of Paul's chosen words.
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivegenitive of source/agency (with διδακτοῖς)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as teacher of the apostolic words.
πνευματικοῖςto spiritual (people)Dativesubstantival adj. (dat.; or instrumental — see note)πνευματικός: 'spiritual'; here probably 'spiritual people' (dat. of recipient), though the neuter 'spiritual means' is a recognized alternative.
πνευματικὰspiritual thingsAccusativesubstantival adj. (direct object of συγκρίνοντες)πνευματικός: 'spiritual'; the neuter plural — the Spirit-given truths being conveyed.
συγκρίνοντεςcombining / interpretingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συγκρίνωadverbial participle (manner; modifies λαλοῦμεν)→ present (concurrent)συγκρίνω: 'combine, compare, interpret'; the sense is debated — 'interpreting spiritual things to spiritual people,' 'matching spiritual things with spiritual words,' or 'comparing spiritual with spiritual.'
14
ψυχικὸς δὲ ἄνθρωπος οὐ δέχεται τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ θεοῦ, μωρία γὰρ αὐτῷ ἐστιν, καὶ οὐ δύναται γνῶναι, ὅτι πνευματικῶς ἀνακρίνεται.
But the natural person does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The flip side: the merely natural person, lacking the Spirit, neither welcomes nor can grasp these things — they require spiritual discernment he does not possess.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ψυχικὸςnatural / unspiritualNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνθρωπος)ψυχικός: 'soulish, natural' (from ψυχή); the person governed by mere natural life, without the Spirit — opposite of πνευματικός.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἄνθρωποςperson / manNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the generic person characterized as ψυχικός.
οὐnotnegative particle
δέχεταιreceives / welcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δέχομαιmain verb→ gnomic/customary presentδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; not mere non-perception but refusal to embrace the Spirit's things.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival; object of δέχεται)τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος: 'the things of the Spirit' — the revealed truths of vv.10–13.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivepossessive genitive (with τά)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, source of the rejected things.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive (with πνεύματος)
μωρίαfollyNominativepredicate nominativeμωρία: 'folly, foolishness'; the cross-shaped wisdom strikes the natural mind as nonsense (cf. 1:18, 23).
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
αὐτῷto himDativedative of reference/opinion
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ stative present (incapacity)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the inability is constitutional — without the Spirit there is no capacity to know.
γνῶναιto knowAor Act Inf · γινώσκωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know, understand'; the object of the incapacity — to grasp the Spirit's things.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πνευματικῶςspirituallyadverb (manner)πνευματικῶς: 'spiritually'; by means of the Spirit — the only mode in which these things can be assessed.
ἀνακρίνεταιare discerned / examinedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀνακρίνωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ gnomic/customary presentἀνακρίνω: 'examine, investigate, discern' (a judicial term); the Spirit's things yield only to Spirit-enabled scrutiny.
15
ὁ δὲ πνευματικὸς ἀνακρίνει τὰ πάντα, αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ' οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται.
But the spiritual person discerns all things, while he himself is discerned by no one.
The complementary truth: the Spirit-endowed person can rightly assess everything, yet stands beyond the competent judgment of those who lack the Spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes the adjective)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
πνευματικὸςspiritual personNominativesubstantival adjective (subject)πνευματικός: 'spiritual'; the person indwelt and governed by the Spirit — opposite of ψυχικός (v.14).
ἀνακρίνειdiscerns / examinesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνακρίνωmain verb→ gnomic/customary presentἀνακρίνω: 'examine, discern, evaluate'; the spiritual person can rightly appraise all things by the Spirit.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive scope of the spiritual person's discernment (within the context of vv.10–14).
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject, emphatic)αὐτός: 'himself'; emphatic — the discerner is not himself subject to the natural person's verdict.
δὲwhile / butadversative conjunction
ὑπ'bypreposition + genitive (agency)ὑπό: 'by'; marks the agent of the passive ἀνακρίνεται.
οὐδενὸςno oneGenitivegenitive of agency (object of ὑπό)οὐδείς: 'no one'; i.e. no merely natural person can pass competent judgment on the spiritual one.
ἀνακρίνεταιis discerned / examinedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀνακρίνωmain verb (passive)→ gnomic/customary presentἀνακρίνω: 'examine, scrutinize'; the spiritual person eludes the natural person's evaluative grasp.
16
τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν κυρίου, ὃς συμβιβάσει αὐτόν; ἡμεῖς δὲ νοῦν Χριστοῦ ἔχομεν.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
A scriptural clinch (Isa 40:13 LXX): no one can instruct the Lord — confirming v.15. Yet the stunning climax: we, by the Spirit, have the mind of Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question (from Isaiah) expecting the answer 'no one.'
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἔγνωhas knownAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know'; quoting Isa 40:13 LXX — none has comprehended the Lord's mind.
νοῦνmindAccusativedirect object of ἔγνωνοῦς: 'mind, understanding'; the LXX renders Heb. 'spirit of the LORD' as νοῦν κυρίου here.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivepossessive genitive (with νοῦν)κύριος: 'Lord'; in Isaiah, YHWH — Paul's 'we have the mind of Christ' implicitly identifies Christ with the Lord.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of συμβιβάσει)ὅς: 'who'; introduces a result/consecutive clause — 'so as to instruct him.'
συμβιβάσειwill instruct / adviseFut Act Indic 3 Sg · συμβιβάζωmain verb (consecutive rel. clause)→ predictive future (deliberative nuance)συμβιβάζω: lit. 'bring together,' hence 'instruct, advise, counsel' (so LXX); no creature can counsel the Lord.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of συμβιβάσει
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatic, capping the chapter — the climactic claim of the Spirit-endowed.
δὲbutadversative conjunction (strong contrast)δέ: 'but'; the astonishing turn — though none can instruct the Lord, we share his mind.
νοῦνmindAccusativedirect object of ἔχομεννοῦς: 'mind'; the very νοῦς of v.16a, now possessed by believers in Christ.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivepossessive genitive (with νοῦν)Χριστός: 'Christ'; 'the mind of Christ' answers 'the mind of the Lord' — by the Spirit believers share Christ's outlook.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present (possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present of settled possession — the Spirit grants ongoing share in Christ's mind.