Expert: Dr. Billy Kryger - 8/5/2007

Question
   The Bible says that eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But the next verse says that God has revealed it unto them by his spirit. I am inclined to believe that no one at all has any idea of that which God has prepared for those that love him so what does that next verse mean? Are there people who do know what God has in store? I simply find that hard to accept. Thank you.

Answer
    The verses are 1 Corinthians 2:9-10:  "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God".
 These verses are speaking of two different things.  There is actually a paragraph division between the two verses.  The words of verse 9 refer to the state of glory in a future world; but they certainly belong to the present state, and express merely the wondrous light, life, and liberty which the Gospel communicates to them that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in that way which the Gospel itself requires.
    Verse 10 is a manifest proof that the apostle speaks here of the glories of the Gospel, and not of the glories of the future world.
    Hope this helps.

    If I misunderstood the question I apologize.  You wanted to know why 1 Cor. 2:9 seems to imply that we can't understand the things of God while verse 10 says we can?
    I don't believe the Bible us confusing so it must have been my answer that confused you and, again, I apologize for that.  You didn't think my answer went "deep enough".  The truth is this is not a "deep" issue.  There is a simple explanation as to why these verses apparently contradict each other.  Verse 9 says that, with our finite minds, we can't comprehend the glory and splendor of Heaven.  Verse 10 reminds us that we  CAN understand the blessings of being a child of God because the Holy Spirit of God gives us understanding (and we experience them every day).
    If I am misunderstanding the question or am still unclear, please clarify and I'd be glad to endeavor to assist you further.