Returning to the Mystery in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

The Apostle Paul’s discourse on wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 has long been a topic of intense scholarly debate. This passage speaks of a hidden wisdom of God, communicated "in a mystery" (ἐν μυστηρίῳ). However, the precise meaning of "in a mystery" is highly contested, with various interpretations proposed based on syntactical and theological considerations.

The Syntactical Ambiguity

The Greek phrase in question is:

ἀλλὰ λαλοῦμεν θεοῦ σοφίαν ἐν μυστηρίῳ τὴν ἀποκεκρυμμένην

This construction is complex, and its interpretation hinges on how we understand the prepositional phrase "in a mystery" (ἐν μυστηρίῳ). The main possibilities are:

1. Adverbial Modification of "We Speak":
   • "We speak in the mystery of the hidden wisdom of God."
2. Adjectival Modification of "Wisdom":
   • "We speak of the mysterious/secret wisdom of God that has been hidden."
3. Adverbial Modification of "Has Been Hidden":
   • "We speak of the wisdom of God that has been hidden in the mystery."

Fee’s Initial and Revised Interpretations

Initially, Gordon D. Fee favored the adjectival reading in his 1987 commentary on 1 Corinthians, supporting the translation used in the New International Version (NIV): "We speak of the secret wisdom of God that has been hidden." Fee’s preference was influenced by a theological stance against the idea that Paul’s teaching could be considered esoteric or secretive, akin to the teachings of mystery cults.

However, in the revised edition of his commentary in 2014, Fee expressed frustration with the adjectival reading, noting that it fails to discourage misunderstandings: "Even though the first [adjectival reading] seems preferable from a grammatical point of view, when transferred directly into English, it can lead to every imaginable misunderstanding. God’s wisdom is not esoteric teaching, spoken in secret" (Fee 2014: 112). Fee’s revised approach treats the prepositional phrase as an appositive, effectively translating it to suggest that the mystery refers to a truth that was once hidden but is now revealed to all. This aligns with the common New Testament use of μυστήριον (mystery) to denote a previously hidden truth now disclosed.

The Theological Discomfort

Fee’s revised interpretation reflects a broader theological discomfort with the phrase "we speak in a mystery." This discomfort is evident in many discussions of 1 Corinthians 2:7, though it is not always explicitly stated. The 2011 New International Version (TNIV) reflects this discomfort by replacing "we speak" with "we declare" in 1 Corinthians 2:7, despite using "we speak" in the preceding verse:

• TNIV: "No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began."
• NIV: "No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began."

Lang’s Objective Approach

Fortunately, there is a more objective way to resolve this issue, which T.J. Lang has pursued in a dedicated article. Lang points out that the debate over whether "in a mystery" modifies "we speak" or "wisdom" often reflects theological biases rather than purely grammatical analysis. He argues that understanding Paul's use of μυστήριον (mystery) in the broader context of his writings can provide clarity.

Lang’s approach suggests that the term "mystery" in Paul’s letters often refers to divine truths that were previously hidden but have now been revealed through Christ and the apostles. This perspective aligns with the New Testament’s general use of the term and supports the idea that Paul is speaking of a divine wisdom that, while once concealed, is now made known to the mature believers.

Conclusion

The ambiguity of 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 invites readers to delve deeper into Paul’s message about God’s wisdom. Whether "in a mystery" is understood to modify the act of speaking or the nature of wisdom itself, Paul’s emphasis on the profound and divine nature of this wisdom remains clear. This passage challenges us to consider the depths of God’s revelation, accessible not through human wisdom but through the Spirit.

References

This analysis draws upon the insights of various scholars, including T.J. Lang and Gordon D. Fee. For a comprehensive exploration of the syntactical and theological dimensions of this passage, see Scott Brown’s detailed study in his paper L'esoterismo in Paolo: La sapienza nascosta di 1 Cor 2,6-3,4, Parte prima, available here.