1 Corinthians 2

Verse 1 is similar to chapter 1 verse 17. He doesn't present the gospel fancy words. In chapter 1 verse 17 he says he does it "lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17, ESV). He somewhat mentions it again in verse 4. It's not his words, "but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," (v4, ESV). Clearly this isn't his power, but the power of the gospel. This is the power of God. In verse 5 he explains why he does it.

that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

(v5, ESV)

Verse 5 explains why he does it with reference to those who hear it. He wants them to only rely on God. If they were to rely on anything else, they would fall. However, in chapter 1 verse 17, he's saying this more with reference to himself and God. He doesn't want himself to be a hindrance to the Gospel. He understands that his power is nothing compared to the power of the Gospel, and to get in the way of that would be wrong.

The rest of the chapter is about wisdom.

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

(v6, ESV)

Apparently it's not the same as their wisdom. Depending on how you define wisdom, you may think they do not have any. Is there even such a thing as wisdom apart from God? Regardless, these rulers don't even understand this wisdom (v8). More importantly, we receive this wisdom through the Spirit (v10). Paul explains this in the next few verses in a methodical fashion. First only the spirit of that person can know that person's thoughts (v11). Since the Spirit is God's spirit, only the Spirit can know God's thoughts (v11). Fortunately for us, we have received the Spirit (v12). Therefore, we are able to understand the things given us by God (v12).

The last paragraph finishes off on a similar note. This wisdom we have from God is stupid to "The natural person" (v14, ESV). Clearly we have the Spirit, so we are able to discern these things, but they cannot because they do not have the Spirit. It's cool how the chapter ends off.

"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

(v16, ESV)

Clearly nobody can instruct the Lord. God almighty is not instructed by anyone. Now, you may want to argue with Abraham changing God's mind about Sodom (Gen 18). Well, we can leave this to another time... Back to this passage, it's talking about God's wisdom and man's wisdom. Also, we have the Spirit and are able to understand the things given to us by God (v12). However, that doesn't mean that we're in any way wiser than God. It's more of a contrast between our wisdom and the worldly wisdom. You may want to keep in mind also that it says "that we might understand the things freely given us by God." (v12, ESV). It is God who imparts wisdom to us, so he is the one who controls how much we receive. This doesn't make us wiser than God. If at all possible, you could imagine the possibility of us being equal with God if He were to give us all His wisdom, but I will quickly throw that off as impossible.

Anyway, our wisdom comes from God and is different from worldly wisdom. Often those with wisdom of this world may laugh or think God's wisdom to be stupid, but that is because they cannot discern God's wisdom. We know that His wisdom is far greater than worldly wisdom.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

(1 Cor 1:25, ESV)

Don't back down. Be proud of the faith you have and the wisdom you have. "we have the mind of Christ." (v16, ESV)