Reflecting the Divine: The Hidden Wisdom of God in Paul's Teachings
The Indirect Reflection of Divinity in the Torah
Philo of Alexandria provides a compelling analogy for understanding hidden wisdom. He posits that the Torah contains noetic realities within its literal meaning, much like a soul within a body. Through allegorical exegesis, the rational soul begins to contemplate these akin things and, looking through the words as if through a mirror (ὥσπερ διὰ κατόπτρου), observes the marvelous beauties of the concepts, thus revealing (διακαλύψασα) the symbolic traces (Contempl. 78). This type of noetic vision surpasses sensory-based understanding, allowing direct perception of forms, akin to Plato's culminating vision (epopteia) in the mysteries (Phaedrus 250b-c).
Philo applies the mystical initiation language to both Moses' clear vision of the Logos (Leg. 3.33.100) and the practice of allegorical exposition (Contempl. 25, 28). He believes that meditating on the hidden meanings of the Torah can produce the same direct vision of forms that Moses experienced on Mount Sinai. In this sense, Moses is not unique but represents "a more perfect and more purified mind" (Leg. 3.33.100).
Philo's allegorical approach resembles Paul's Christological reading of Scriptures, where the Scriptures can serve as a "mirror" in which Paul and his church members see the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces. Paul's metaphor of veiled minds, used twice to describe the inability to see the glory of the risen Christ manifested indirectly, supports this view. He asserts that "the same veil" that hid the glory on Moses' face is placed over the minds of his Jewish compatriots whenever they read the Torah (2 Cor 3:13-14). Consequently, they cannot see within the Torah the glory that shone on Moses' face. Paul's subsequent statement that this mental veil is removed when a person turns to Christ (3:14-16) implies that this veiled glory in the Scriptures is actually the glory of Christ. Thus, this glory is what Paul and the Corinthians see as in a mirror with unveiled faces, perceiving Christ while meditating on the Scriptures or listening to Paul's Christological explanations (cf. Rowland and Morray-Jones 2009: 149-150; Levison 2013: 174-177).
The Light of the Gospel and the Glory of Christ
Paul further elaborates on the transformation through the vision of Christ in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6:
"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
The light shining in the gospel is the same light God made shine in the hearts of Paul and his collaborators, now deposited as a "treasure" within their mortal bodies (4:7). This glory, which Paul witnessed when he saw the risen Christ, is now manifested in his ministry. Paul's expectation that this radiance would be visible to any mind not blinded by Satan suggests that this glory is not merely metaphorical but a noetic reality. Those who perceive it see "the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
The Process of Internal Transformation
Paul describes the transformative process of believers in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
This transformation, from one degree of glory to another, suggests a progressive internal change into the glorious image of the risen Christ. Paul’s description of this process aligns with the eschatological reversal inherent in God's wisdom, contrasting with human wisdom and power.
Predestination and Glorification
Paul's reference to the preordination of this glorification "before the ages" and its preparation "for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:6-9) finds a parallel in Romans 8:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Rom 8:28-30)
Here, Paul systematically describes the glorification of "those who love God" as the final outcome of a preordained purpose linked to Jesus’ resurrection. This glorification is framed in terms of conformity to the image of God’s Son, echoing the transformative process described in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Conclusion
Paul’s hidden wisdom involves a transformative process where believers, through suffering and inner renewal, progressively conform to the image and glory of the risen Christ. This process, preordained by God and revealed through the Spirit, transcends human understanding and worldly wisdom, ultimately culminating in the glorification of believers. By speaking "in a mystery," Paul preserves the sacred and transformative power of this wisdom, ensuring it is grasped by those spiritually mature and prepared to understand its profound implications.
This blog post is based on content from Scott Brown's paper, L'esoterismo in Paolo: La sapienza nascosta di 1 Cor 2,6-3,4.
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