Meaning of Having the Mind of Christ
The phrase "having the mind of Christ" originates from 1 Corinthians 2:16, where Paul writes, "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?" But we have Christ's mind [1]. The Greek text reads, "ἡμεῖς δὲ νοῦν Χριστοῦ ἔχομεν" ("we have the mind of Christ") [2].
The term "mind" (νοῦς, nous) in this context refers to the faculty of understanding, thinking, and feeling. According to John Chrysostom, it signifies "spiritual, divine" understanding, which is not derived from human sources like Plato or Pythagoras, but from Christ Himself [4]. This interpretation is supported by the context of 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul contrasts human wisdom with the wisdom revealed by the Spirit.
In the view of the early Church Fathers, having the mind of Christ means possessing a divine perspective, enabled by the Holy Spirit. John Chrysostom notes that "it is Christ Himself, putting His own things into our mind" [4]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of Gregory Thaumaturgus, who discusses the significance of Christ being considered "mind" in Christian theology [5].
The concept is closely tied to the idea of union with Christ, a theme present in Pauline theology. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights that union with Christ involves Christ being in believers and believers being in Christ, maintained by faith and the abiding presence of His word [3]. This union enables believers to share in Christ's mind.
The mind of Christ is characterized by humility, as exemplified in Christ's incarnation and self-emptying (Philippians 2:5-8). John Gill notes that the apostle Paul encourages believers to adopt this mindset, imitating Christ's humility [7]. The Catholic tradition, represented by Thomas Aquinas, also explores the significance of Christ's human mind in the context of His assumption of human nature [8].
In Protestant interpretation, having the mind of Christ is associated with the believer's possession of the Spirit of Christ. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment that to have the Spirit of Christ is to be "in the spirit," indicating a state of being under the dominion of one's renewed mind, facilitated by the indwelling Holy Spirit [6].
The expression "having the mind of Christ" thus encompasses a deep, spiritual understanding and a Christ-like disposition, rooted in the believer's union with Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This concept is central to Christian character and practice, influencing how believers perceive and live out their faith.
Sources
- 1 Corinthians ““For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind. -- 1 Corinthians 2:16”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:16 (BSB) — “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: none effect by our inability to apprehend through Gentile wisdom the things above us. You may observe, too, that it was more advantageous to learn in this way from the Spirit. For that is the easiest and clearest of all teaching. “But we have the mind of Christ.” That is, spiritual, divine, that which hath nothing human. For it is not of Plato, nor of Pythagoras, but it is Christ Himself, putting His own things into our mind. This then, if naught else, let us revere, O beloved, and let our life shine forth as most excellent; since He also Himself”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — CHAP. XXIV.--CHRIST IS MIND, ACCORDING TO THE MANICHAEANS; WHAT IS HE IN THE VIEW OF THE CHURCH? INCONGRUITY IN THEIR IDEA OF CHRIST; THAT HE SUFFERED ONLY IN APPEARANCE, A DREAM OF THE MANICHAEANS; N (part 1): Christ, too, they do not acknowledge; yet they speak of Christ, but they take some other element, and giving to the Word, designating His sacred person, some other signification than that in which it is rightly received, they say that He is mind. But if, when they speak of Him as that which is known, and”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 8:9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you--This does not mean, "if the disposition or mind of God dwell in you"; but "if the Holy Ghost dwell in you" (see Co1 6:11, Co1 6:19; Co1 3:16, &c.). (It thus appears that to be "in the spirit" means here to be under the dominion of our own renewed mind; because the indwelling of God's Spirit is given as the evidence that we are "in the spirit"). Now--"But." if any man have not the Spirit of Christ--Again, this does not mean "the disposition or mind of Christ”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Parts of Human Nature Which Were Assumed, Art. 4: Article: Whether the Son of God assumed a human mind or intellect? I answer that, As Augustine says (De Haeres. 49,50), "the Apollinarists thought differently from the Catholic Church concerning the soul of Christ, saying with the Arians, that Christ took flesh alone, without a soul; and on being overcome on this point by the Gospel witness, they went on to say that the mind was wanting to Christ's soul, but that the Word supplied its place." But this position is refuted by the same ar”