"Eye Has Not Seen Nor Ear Heard"

An individual once asked me, “1 Corinthians 2:9 is sometimes quoted as having to do with the beauties of heaven which “eye has not seen nor ear heard.” In context, what is this verse teaching? In 1 Corinthians 2:9, the text reads:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.“

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-7, the inspired writer Paul tells us that the “testimony of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1) did not come via man’s wisdom, but by God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4).

The “mystery” Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 2:7, is the gospel which was revealed to the inspired apostles by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:23-26; Ephesians 3:1-6; Romans 16:25-26). Had the Romans and Jewish rulers known and understood the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), they would have never crucified the Lord (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).

The “things” referred to in 1 Corinthians 2:9, which the “eye has not seen nor ear heard,” are the spiritual blessings brought about by the sacrifice of our Lord (Ephesians 1:3) — salvation being one of them (Isaiah 61:10-11; Isaiah 64:1-5; cf. Romans 10:8-10; Acts 8:37; 2 Timothy 2:10).

Uninspired man had not “seen” nor “heard” of salvation through Christ until this salvation was revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles by inspired “words” (John 14:23-26; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; Gal. 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-6; cf. Acts 2:14; Acts 10:44) — the “words” contained in the “good news” of the saving gospel of Christ (Acts 13:32; Romans 10:15; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18).

This “good news” of salvation through Christ must now be taught to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets