2:111 Corinthians 2:11

As only the spirit within a person knows that person's inner thoughts and hidden things, so only the Spirit of God knows the things of God and what is hidden in His mind.STB 496.1–497.1+2 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and God reveals those deep things by His Spirit, including the hidden wisdom He prepared for those who love Him and ordained before the world unto glory concerning Christ and the plan of redemption.AA 250.4–251.1+4 The things of God cannot be discovered or comprehended by human wisdom alone but must be revealed, so they come only by receiving not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God, while the unspiritual person counts them foolishness and the spiritual person discerns all things and shares Christ's mind.STB 496.1–497.1+4 Understanding of God's Word comes through the illumination of the Spirit who gave it, by whom its truths continue to unfold, and the truths thus taught are to be proclaimed not in excellency of speech or enticing words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.AA 402.1+4 The Holy Spirit who thus searches is a divine person who knows the mind of God, and as constant helper and regenerating agent He instructs the ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom, convinces of sin, and sanctifies, so that knowledge of God becomes the highest education leading to a life shaped by truth and holiness.OEWP 19.2–23.1+4

The comparison turns on inner knowledge: as only the spirit within a person knows that person's inner thoughts and hidden things, so only the Spirit of God knows the things of God and what is hidden in God's mind.STB 496.1–497.1+4 God's wisdom is therefore not available through human wisdom alone and cannot be discovered or comprehended by it, but is revealed by God's Spirit.STB 496.1–497.1+4 Those who have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God can know the things God freely gives, and speak them not in words from human wisdom but in words taught by the Holy Spirit, matching spiritual truth with spiritual truth.AA 250.4–251.1+3 Paul proclaimed those truths as the Spirit taught him, and believers taught by the Spirit share Christ's mind, while the unspiritual person does not accept them because they seem foolish and can only be understood by spiritual insight.AA 402.1+2

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and God by His Spirit reveals that wisdom which the world has not seen nor heard nor known.AA 250.4–251.1+4 Only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, just as only the spirit within a person knows the things of that person, so divine truth must be revealed by God to be known.AA 250.4–251.1+3 Like a lighted candle the same searching Spirit also searches the hidden things of the heart that must be overcome in order to see the kingdom of God.Ms 84, 1901, par. 16–17

The hidden wisdom in view is what God prepared for those who love Him, which eye has not seen nor ear heard, wisdom ordained before the world unto glory.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 That wisdom concerns Christ's divine and human nature and the plan of redemption, hidden from human understanding unless God reveals it.Ms 115, 1897, par. 28 None of the rulers or princes of this world knew that hidden wisdom, or they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12+1

Just as the spirit within a person alone knows that person's inner thoughts, only the Spirit of God knows the things of God, so God's wisdom is not available through human wisdom alone but is made known by revelation of His Spirit.STB 496.1–497.1+4 The truths of God are not discovered by human wisdom but are revealed by the Holy Spirit, who searches even the deep things of God and discloses them, so that those who receive the Spirit of God may know the things freely given by God.AA 402.1+3 Human wisdom by itself cannot discover or comprehend these things, for they are spiritually discerned, and to understand them requires God-given wisdom and the Spirit's guidance.Lt 280, 1906, par. 20–25+2 That knowledge of God is the highest education, leading to a life shaped by truth and holiness.OEWP 19.2–23.1

Unaided human reason cannot rightly interpret God's testimony in creation and nature, for only the Spirit of God knows the things of God while a person's inner spirit knows that person's own things.ED 134.3–5+2 To read the works of God rightly and discern their deepest truths and spiritual lessons requires the aid and direction of the divine Teacher, and without the help of God's Spirit for those willing to be taught, human reason by itself cannot explain God's deep things.ED 134.3–5+2

A mind trained only in worldly science, learning, or human ability cannot discern the deep and heavenly things of God, which are known through the Spirit of God and not by human ability alone.MWISDAP 40.2+2 Only a mind converted and sanctified, cleansed by the Spirit, can discern heavenly things, recognize God's power in the Word, and receive its teaching and see divine power in God's word.MWISDAP 40.2+2 Human intellect can be measured and the richest human writings can be exhausted, but God cannot be found out by the highest, deepest, broadest flight of imagination, for infinity lies beyond all that can be comprehended in human strength and the Holy Spirit must reveal Him.ST Dec 22, 1898 The surface truths of revelation are not enough, for precious gems of truth lie hidden beneath the surface and are passed by when their value is not seen, so the Bible student must tax the mind in study of God's Word, and the knowledge thus gained is heavenly seed planted by the divine Sower.ST Dec 22, 1898

Because divine things are known only by God's Spirit and not by worldly wisdom, men who have given their lives to worldly pursuits and cultivated sharp worldly business traits count the preaching of the cross as foolishness and come into the truth in small numbers.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25 God calls not many wise men after the flesh, mighty, or noble, but chooses the foolish, weak, base, and despised things of the world to confound the wise and mighty, so that no flesh should glory.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25 Christ is made unto believers wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25

To know the things God freely gives, a person must receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, for only that Spirit knows the things of God.Ms 32, 1901, par. 5+4 As only the spirit within a person knows that person's inner things, so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God, who searches all things, even the deep things of God, including the hidden wisdom prepared for those who love Him.Ms 32, 1901, par. 5+3 Those who have received that Spirit can know what is freely given and speak it not in words of human wisdom but in words the Holy Spirit teaches, matching spiritual truth with spiritual truth.Ms 32, 1901, par. 5+3 The unspiritual person does not accept the things of God's Spirit because they seem foolish to him and can be understood only by spiritual insight, so he cannot know them.Ms 32, 1901, par. 5+2 By contrast, the spiritual person examines all things yet is examined by no one, for no one knows the mind of the Lord to instruct Him, but believers share the mind of Christ.Ms 32, 1901, par. 5+2

This knowledge is for every follower of Christ, yet the world cannot receive it.Ms 103, 1893, par. 27–28 The nations of the earth do not know that they are lost and do not know the things that belong to their salvation.Ms 103, 1893, par. 27–28 Those who have not entered into fellowship with Christ through the Spirit do not know heaven's language or share its joy.ST Jul 20, 1915+1 They are strangers to heaven's life and companionship and unfit for it.ST Jul 20, 1915+1

Every heart that receives Christ is entrusted with ability to discern Christ in His message.Ms 128, 1908, par. 15–19 Spiritual things can be discerned only by those taught by the Holy Spirit, and without the Spirit people cannot understand them.STB 340.2 Through the Spirit they become wise and able to understand God's things, and this understanding belongs to those who share in the divine nature and receive and obey God's word.STB 340.2 The mind enlightened by truth can recognize truth as distinct from error, and as a person responds to the light and acts with God, the Spirit gives the soul further light.ST Jun 4, 1912

Understanding of God's Word comes only through the illumination of the Spirit who gave it, for only the Spirit of God knows the things of God as a person's own spirit knows that person's inner things.SC 109.2+2 Through that Spirit the deep things of God are searched out and revealed, and God's truths continue to unfold to His people.SC 109.2+1 The Holy Spirit gives light to Scripture so that those who trust in Christ can discern its treasures.COL 113.1–2 The Spirit also unfolds the deep meaning of Scripture to the mind.8T 157.1

The writers of the Bible were directed and impressed by the Holy Spirit and wrote words given them by God, not words from human wisdom.Ms 40, 1900, par. 12–13 That divine teaching extended to which truths to communicate and the language in which to express them.Ms 165, 1899, par. 38–39 The same Spirit guided the pens of the sacred historians to present the precious record of the sayings and works of Jesus Christ.2MR 14.1–15.2 Every word of Scripture is therefore a valuable pearl possessing virtue and force that must be kept exact, because changing even one word injures the thought and destroys the lesson taught, and incorrect punctuation can greatly alter the meaning.Ms 40, 1900, par. 12–13

Comparing spiritual things with spiritual requires study of the Word.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3 Careful searching allows its hidden truths to be discovered, for the Spirit unfolds them to the searching mind.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 Surface truths are not enough, because precious gems of truth lie hidden beneath the surface and are passed by when their value is not seen, so the Bible student must tax the mind in study and the knowledge thus gained becomes heavenly seed planted by the divine Sower.ST Dec 22, 1898 The Spirit impresses on the mind the vital truths on which salvation depends and makes the way of life plain.COL 113.1–2

Truths thus received are to be proclaimed as the Spirit taught them.AA 402.1 They are not to be spoken in excellency of speech or enticing words of human wisdom but in words the Holy Ghost teaches, in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that faith rests in the power of God.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12+1 That proclamation means preaching Christ crucified plainly, without pleasing ears or trusting human energy, keeping self out of sight and ever lifting up Jesus.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12+1 The Spirit dwelling in a person enables that person both to receive divine things and to reveal them to others.3T 466.2

The comparison itself establishes that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, for only the spirit within a person knows what is hidden within that person, and in the same way only the Spirit of God knows the things hidden in the mind of God.Ms 20, 1906, par. 31–32+1 Personality belongs to the Spirit because only a person could bear witness with human spirits that they are children of God, and divinity belongs to Him because only one who is divine could search out the secrets hidden in the mind of God.20MR 68.5–69.1 The ability to search out what belongs to God therefore proves both personhood and Godhead.Ms 20, 1906, par. 31–32+1

Being God, the Spirit knows the mind of God and indites all genuine prayer, interceding in every intercession that is according to the will of God.Lt 11b, 1892, par. 6–8 For that reason every prayer for the sick or for other needs must regard the will of God, with those taught of God praying in conformity to His revealed will and in submission where His will is not known, making supplication according to the will of God.Lt 11b, 1892, par. 6–8

Because no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God, the Spirit is promised as the great helper and constant, working, regenerating agent to make effectual in each case what Christ wrought out as Redeemer.2MR 14.1–15.2 He endows the human agent wrestling for victory with supernatural power, instructs the ignorant in the mysteries of the kingdom of God, constantly draws attention to the sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary, unfolds the love of God, opens to the convicted soul the precious things in the Scriptures, and opens to darkened minds the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness and the truths of eternity that make hearts burn with awakened intelligence.2MR 14.1–15.2 He presents the moral standard of righteousness, convinces of sin, produces godly sorrow which works repentance, inspires faith in Him who alone can save from all sin, withdraws affections from temporal perishable things, presents the imperishable immortal inheritance and eternal substance, and recreates, refines, and sanctifies human agents to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.2MR 14.1–15.2 God reveals His things by His Spirit who searches all things, even the deep things of God, and like a lighted candle searches the hidden things of the heart that must be overcome in order to see the kingdom of God, so that those who have received not the outlook of the world but the Spirit from God may know the things freely given to them by God.Ms 84, 1901, par. 16–17

Knowledge of God is the highest education, and it leads to a life shaped by truth and holiness.OEWP 19.2–23.1 Those who are one with Christ have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God so that they may know the things freely given to them, and the Spirit as Comforter works upon the heart, influencing and directing and constantly unfolding truth.STA 47.1–48.1 Such persons mind the things of the Spirit and enjoy spiritual things, have the mind of Christ with no confidence in self while Christ is all in all, receive with meekness the engrafted Word and give God all the glory, and bear in themselves the fruits of righteousness worked by the same Spirit who reveals the truth.STA 47.1–48.1 Spiritual things are discerned only in close connection with God, so believers must not remain carnal babes fed with milk but must grow up in truth.Ms 111, 1909, par. 6–9 They are to trim their lamps with the oil of grace, recognize Christ and fear to offend God, and be fed with heavenly manna by searching the Word, thereby gaining a right to the tree of life.Ms 111, 1909, par. 6–9

Receiving spiritual things requires spiritual discernment and experience to face the future, meet opposition, and be ready to be changed if alive or raised from the grave to immortal life.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3 This preparation is in order to know the will of God, to be in right relation to God, to stand the trials of the last days, and to be prepared to be translated to future immortal life and to see the King in His beauty.Ms 111, 1909, par. 1–3+1 The teaching is to be thought over at home and applied to the heart, for many who think they are prepared for the Lord's coming are not.Ms 111, 1909, par. 28–30 Applied with God's help it gives understanding, separation from all hindrances, knowledge of the will of God and walking in that pathway, freedom, being all light in the Lord, confessing Christ and coming out of darkness into His marvelous light.Ms 111, 1909, par. 28–30 Careful study of the chapter with discernment not wholly perverted exposes the reader's present spiritual condition and false paths that lead other souls astray, calling for falling on the Rock and being broken while mercy still lingers so Christ can build him up into His own likeness.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 27

The great light given about God's law as the standard of character to which man must conform and by which he will be judged in the last day must be obeyed and used to draw others, for Christ gave His life that people might be sanctified through the truth.Lt 2, 1901, par. 4–8 Guilt and punishment are measured by light received, talents bestowed, and opportunities improved, and by the influence exerted in encouraging others in sin or drawing them into the kingdom.Lt 2, 1901, par. 4–8 Rejecting Christ and refusing His yoke of restraint and obedience places a person on the side of the great apostate.Lt 2, 1901, par. 4–8 Preaching and soul-saving cannot stand in excellency of speech, enticing words of human wisdom, human energy, or human agencies, for faith must rest in demonstration of the Spirit and of power in the hidden wisdom ordained before the world unto glory.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12 Only work done through the Holy Spirit striving in human hearts produces deep, thorough, substantial conversion with abundant fruit, while all other work is of no value, puffs up self, and deceives souls with false show, since it is God Himself working upon hearts and not any human minister.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12 Ministers, conference presidents, and physicians must therefore depend wholly on God's grace and work humbly, meekly, and in unity of the Spirit, turning from idols to serve the living God.Ms 142, 1909, par. 9–12

In church work people should not presume to control and judge others but should seek wisdom from God, for human understanding is limited to human things while Christ understands each soul's value and needs.Lt 16, 1907, par. 6–7 In every prayer for the sick or for other needs the will of God is to be regarded.Lt 11b, 1892, par. 6–8 Those taught of God pray in conformity to His revealed will and in submission to His will where it is not known, making supplication according to the will of God, since the Spirit indites all genuine prayer and intercedes in every intercession that is according to God's will.Lt 11b, 1892, par. 6–8