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. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Gr. kardia, a word referring to the center of human faculties (see on Rom. 1:21). The grand realities of the kingdoms of grace and glory cannot be fully understood either through the avenue of the senses or by the intellect. But through the knowledge God imparts to those who are willing to be instructed by Him, Christians may gain an ever-increasing understanding. Of himself, man is unable to perceive or appreciate the blessings of the gospel. The experience of the unconverted contains nothing that can be compared with the joyful peace that comes to the heart of the sinner who surrenders to Christ and receives the sweet assurance of God’s forgiveness.
Things.
Whatever God has planned for His people is included in this comprehensive word. In its primary application the statement deals with all that is provided through the gospel for the welfare and happiness of God’s people while here on earth. This relates to forgiveness of sins, justification and sanctification, the joy and peace that the grace of God imparts to the believer, and his ultimate deliverance from this evil world. By extension the statement also comprehends the inexpressible wonder and beauty and joy of God’s kingdom of glory, the eternal home of the saved. All such knowledge is far beyond anything that men may know apart from the gospel of Christ. See on Isa. 64:4.
The verse reads literally, “The things which eye saw not and ear heard not, and upon the heart of man came not, which God prepared for those who love him.” The physical facts of existence are discovered by the senses, which are used to acquire knowledge of things around us. That neither eye nor ear can understand the things of God proves that other faculties than the physical senses are required to understand spiritual truths (v. 10).
Gr. alla, a strong adversative. Although unconverted men do not understand the “wisdom of God in a mystery” (v. 7), God has made a wonderful revelation of His wisdom to those who love Him. The riches of God’s grace are not discerned by the unconverted, but the Christian sees the beautiful things of this world as an expression of God’s love to man and an earnest of the future perfect state.