1 Corinthians 2:10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
8 of 19
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
αὐτοῦ·
G846
αὐτοῦ·
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πνεῦμα
Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
12 of 19
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
καὶ
yea
G2532
καὶ
yea
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βάθη
the deep things
G899
βάθη
the deep things
Strong's:
G899
Word #:
17 of 19
profundity, i.e., (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery
Cross References
John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.Ephesians 3:5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;Luke 10:21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.Ephesians 3:3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Matthew 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.Galatians 1:12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.1 Peter 1:12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.Job 12:22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
Historical Context
Against Greek philosophy's confidence in human reason to discover truth, Paul insists revelation is necessary. The Stoics believed divine logos permeated cosmos, accessible through contemplation. Plato taught philosophers could ascend to knowledge of Forms. Paul rejects autonomous rationalism: God's "deep things" remain hidden unless God sovereignly discloses them. The Jewish concept of ruach Yahweh (Spirit of the LORD) inspiring prophets underlies Paul's pneumatology. Christian revelation is both external (Scripture) and internal (illumination).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's role in revelation shape your approach to Bible study—what can you expect Him to do, and what remains your responsibility?
- What "deep things of God" has the Spirit revealed to you personally through Scripture that you couldn't have discovered through reason alone?
- How should Spirit-dependence for understanding Scripture affect your confidence when interpretations conflict among believers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. The adversative de (δέ, "but") pivots from human incapacity (v. 9) to divine disclosure. Apekalypsen (ἀπεκάλυψεν, "revealed") is aorist—definite historical action, likely referring to apostolic revelation recorded in Scripture. Dia tou pneumatos (διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος, "through the Spirit") identifies the Holy Spirit as revelation's agent, authenticating both Scripture's divine origin (2 Peter 1:21) and believers' illumination (John 16:13).
The explanation—the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (to pneuma panta ereunaⁱ, kai ta bathē tou theou, τὸ πνεῦμα πάντα ἐραυνᾷ, καὶ τὰ βάθη τοῦ θεοῦ)—grounds revelation in Spirit's comprehensive knowledge. Ereunaō (ἐραυνάω) means "search thoroughly," not implying the Spirit lacks knowledge but that nothing escapes His complete understanding. Ta bathē (τὰ βάθη, "the depths") includes God's eternal decrees, redemptive purposes, and Trinitarian relationships. Only Spirit can reveal God because only Spirit fully knows God (v. 11).