Communicating Complex Spiritual Truths in a Clear Manner
Communicating spiritual truths clearly is a recurring theme in biblical texts and theological reflection. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that spiritual matters should be conveyed "not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, communicating spiritual [things] by spiritual [means]" [2]. This suggests a distinction between worldly rhetoric and a Spirit-empowered clarity in conveying divine revelation.
The concept of "revelation" itself implies an uncovering or bringing to light of what was previously hidden [3]. God has supernaturally revealed himself and his purposes, and this revelation has been committed to writing under the guidance of the Spirit [3]. The Scriptures are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, intended for accurate preservation and propagation of truth [3].
Clarity in communication is essential for the effective transmission of spiritual understanding. Proverbs 22:21 speaks of showing "true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you" [1]. Similarly, Titus 2:1 exhorts believers to "speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine" [4]. This consistency implies a clear and coherent presentation of truth.
The New Testament writers frequently highlight the need for intelligibility. Paul argues that a message must be "clearly intelligible if it is to communicate effectively" [8]. He illustrates this by noting that if he were to speak in tongues without interpretation, his message would not profit the hearers [12]. John Gill interprets Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 13:10, "When I was a child I spake as a child," as an illustration of how even the gift of speaking in tongues, while extraordinary, was like the lisping of a child compared to the full knowledge that will be experienced in heaven [10]. This underscores the idea that even divinely given abilities require clear expression to be truly beneficial in the present age.
The "simplicity" of the gospel is contrasted with "fleshly wisdom" [5]. This simplicity is not a lack of depth but rather a directness that makes spiritual truths accessible. Those who possess the grace of simplicity are made wise by God and by the word of God [5]. The Bible is described as "plain to him that understandeth," referring to those whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God [9]. Without this spiritual discernment, the mysteries of the Gospel remain hidden [9].
The communication of spiritual truth is not merely a rational exercise but requires the dimension and power of the Spirit [6]. John Gill notes that while an apostle can make the mystery of the Gospel manifest in a ministerial way, only God, by His Spirit, makes it manifest in a spiritual, experimental, and saving way [7]. This highlights the dual aspect of clear communication: the human effort to articulate truth and the divine work of opening hearts and minds to receive it.
The "wisdom" spoken of in the Gospel is infinitely higher than worldly wisdom, yet it is presented in a way that can be understood by those "matured in Christian experience and knowledge" [11]. This suggests that while the core message is simple, deeper principles are also communicated to those who are ready to receive them [11].
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 22:21 (BSB) — to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:13 (Darby) — which also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, communicating spiritual [things] by spiritual [means].”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- Titus “Titus 2:1 (BSB) — But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Simplicity — Is opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Necessity for -- Mt 18:2,3. Should be exhibited In preaching the gospel. -- 1Th 2:3-7. In acts of benevolence. -- Ro 12:8. In all our conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. Concerning our own wisdom. -- 1Co 3:18. Concerning evil. -- Ro 16:19. Concerning malice. -- 1Co 14:20. Exhortation to -- Ro 16:19; 1Pe 2:2. They who have the grace of Are made wise by God. -- Mt 11:25. Are made wise by the word of God. -- Ps 19:7; 119:130. Are preserved by God. -- Ps 116:6. Made circumspect by instruction. -- Pr 1:4. Profit by the correction o”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 2:13: 2:13 using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 4:4: That I may make it manifest,.... It being a mystery, a secret, which was hid in God from everlasting, and, during the legal dispensation, was wrapped up in types, and shadows, and sacrifices, and is still hidden unto the natural man. Wherefore the apostle was desirous of making it manifest in a ministerial way; for God only, by his Spirit, makes it manifest in a spiritual, experimental, and saving way. As, says he, I ought to speak. The Arabic version adds, "concerning it", the Gospel, the mystery of Christ. The apostle's meaning is, that he might deliver it wi”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:7: 14:7-12 A message needs to be clearly intelligible if it is to communicate effectively.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:9: They are all plain to him that understandeth,.... Whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God; who is a spiritual man, that has a discerning, and can judge of spiritual things: as for the carnal man, let him have what natural knowledge or wisdom he will, he cannot know these things; for they are spiritually discerned, and can only be discerned by spiritual men. The Bible is a sealed book to others, learned or unlearned; the mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid in parables from such; but those to whom Christ has given an understanding to know him, ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13:10: When I was a child I spake as a child,.... That cannot speak plain, aims at words rather than expresses them, delivers them in a lisping or stammering manner: hereby the apostle illustrates the then present gift of speaking with divers tongues, which was an extraordinary gift of the Spirit, was peculiar to some persons, and what many were very fond of; and yet this, in its highest degree and exercise, was but like the lisping of a child, in comparison of what will be known and expressed by saints, when they come to be perfect men in heaven: I understood as a”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:6: Yet the Gospel preaching, so far from being at variance with true "wisdom," is a wisdom infinitely higher than that of the wise of the world. we speak--resuming "we" (preachers, I, Apollos, &c.) from "we preach" (Co1 1:28), only that here, "we speak" refers to something less public (compare Co1 2:7, Co1 2:13, "mystery . . . hidden") than "we preach," which is public. For "wisdom" here denotes not the whole of Christian doctrine, but its sublimer and deeper principles. perfect--Those matured in Christian experience and knowledge alone can unde”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:6: Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues,.... The apostle exemplifies this matter in himself, and supposes it his own case, that should he who was the apostle of the Gentiles, and to be received by them as such, when he came to them, come with this gift of tongues, which he was capable of, as much, or more than any, see Co1 14:18 and only make use of that, what shall I profit you? of what use would my ministry be to you? what instruction, comfort, and edification, could you receive by it? except I shall speak to you, either by revelation; by ”