Understanding Paul's Use of "In a Mystery" in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

The Apostle Paul's reference to wisdom "in a mystery" in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 has sparked considerable debate among scholars. The phrase, ἐν μυστηρίῳ (in a mystery), is syntactically ambiguous and has led to various interpretations regarding its exact meaning and implications within the text.

Syntactical Ambiguity and Interpretations

The Greek text of the passage is as follows:

ἀλλὰ λαλοῦμεν θεοῦ σοφίαν ἐν μυστηρίῳ τὴν ἀποκεκρυμμένην

This phrase can be interpreted in several ways:

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."

Theological Discomfort and Fee’s Changing Views

Initially, Gordon D. Fee supported the adjectival reading in his 1987 commentary, aligning with the New International Version (NIV) translation: "We speak of the secret wisdom of God that has been hidden." This choice was influenced by a theological preference to avoid suggesting that Paul’s teachings were esoteric or secretive.

However, in the 2014 revised edition of his commentary, Fee expressed frustration with this interpretation. He noted that it could lead to misunderstandings, emphasizing that "God’s wisdom is not esoteric teaching, spoken in secret" (Fee 2014: 112). Fee’s revised approach treats the prepositional phrase as an appositive, proposing a translation that aligns with the more common New Testament usage of μυστήριον (mystery) as a previously hidden truth now revealed to all. Consequently, the 2011 New International Version (TNIV) replaced "we speak" with "we declare":

• 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 Analysis

T.J. Lang conducted an extensive analysis using the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae database, identifying instances of the dative singular of μυστήριον (mystery) before the third century. Lang found that this usage is rare outside of Christian writings. In early Christian texts, the phrase frequently appears with the preposition ἐν, forming a fixed formula for several centuries. This combination often modifies verbs related to speaking or transmitting information, rarely modifying nouns, and never modifying σοφία (wisdom) or ἀποκρύπτω (hide).

Lang’s findings strongly support the translation: "we speak in the mystery of the hidden wisdom of God." More importantly, this usage provides insight into the phrase’s meaning. Early Christian writers used "in a mystery" to denote either a coded or figurative dimension of the communicated message or to describe communication in a private context.

Figurative and Private Dimensions

In the figurative sense, "in a mystery" implies that the spoken message contains hidden meanings, accessible only to certain individuals. This concept is reflected in the writings of early Christian authors like Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria, who used the phrase interchangeably with "in parable." For example, Justin Martyr asserted that Moses proclaimed the name of Jesus as a name for God "in a mystery" (Dialogue with Trypho 75.1).

Alternatively, "in a mystery" can indicate that the communication occurs in a private setting, regardless of whether the message is figurative or coded. This private communication context is essential for understanding the transmission of esoteric wisdom among early Christians.

Conclusion

The phrase "in a mystery" in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 encapsulates a profound aspect of early Christian teaching. It reflects a dual meaning: a figurative dimension of the message and a private context for its communication. Paul’s use of this phrase highlights the depth and exclusivity of the divine wisdom he imparted to mature believers.

For a detailed exploration of these concepts and further insights into Paul’s usage of "in a mystery," refer to Scott Brown's comprehensive study in his paper L'esoterismo in Paolo: La sapienza nascosta di 1 Cor 2,6-3,4, Parte prima, available here.