In Isaiah 42.19, what is meant by “my servant”? To whom does this apply?
I believe the verse refers to Israel. The beginning of the chapter refers to the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the latter part to the people of Israel. The misapplication of verse 19 to Christ arises out of two things at least: the assumption that the identity of “my servant” is the same in verses 1 to 4, and verses 18 and 19; and the idea that the word “perfect” (in verse 19) means one who is morally perfect. But the word “perfect” actually refers to ‘one who is befriended and trusted in’. As to the matter of identity, the context leaves no doubt that Israel is referred to in verse 16, in contrast with the heathen idolaters of verse 17. Israel was called out to be the witness of the true God. To this position of favour and responsibility as God’s friend in the world, God will bring the restored nation. I might remark that the change from the Messiah to Israel, in chapter 42, is not nearly as abrupt as the substitution of Messiah for Israel in chapter 49, verses 3 and 4.
Israel is described as being “deaf” and “blind” to God (42.18). This has been the sad history of the nation. We might notice a delightful contrast between the Lord as the Servant of Jehovah, and the nation of Israel. He was blind to all worldly allurement, and deaf to every voice but the voice of Jehovah. This was true of the lovely ministry of Christ while on earth. Our Lord was deaf and blind in a unique and incomparable sense. But what about us? Are we blind in regard to divine things, and deaf to God’s voice speaking to us? If this is so, we will not enjoy communion with our God, or be the servants God intends us to be.
John J Stubbs
Please explain the meaning of the Scripture “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2.16).
John Heading writes, “Verse 15 (of 1 Corinthians 2) is a difficult verse together with verse 16”! However, in verses 14-16 of this chapter, there is a contrast between the natural man and the spiritual man. The natural man is unregenerate, and thus he is not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He does not have the ability to interpret spiritual things. Indeed, “the things of the Spirit of God ... are foolishness unto him” (v 14). On the other hand, “he that is spiritual” (v 15) is the believer who has received the Holy Spirit on conversion; he is able to consider things from a spiritual point of view. It should be pointed out that some among this number may be characterised by fleshly ways, and so they cease to think or act in a spiritual way. Paul speaks of such as being “carnal” (1 Cor 3.1).
Paul now asks the rhetorical question “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?” (v 16). In essence, this is almost a restatement of 1 Corinthians 2.11: “the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” This quotation has simply to do with the natural man; he cannot know the mind of the Lord. The Greek word nous, translated “mind”, means “the seat of reflective consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception, understanding and judgment … it also denotes counsels, purpose.”¹ To this quotation from Isaiah, Paul adds a wonderful thought: “But we have the mind of Christ” (v 16). The pronoun “we” is emphatic; thus having the mind of Christ is true only of those who, like the apostle, are spiritually minded; it certainly would not be the case with the carnally minded believers at Corinth. The “mind of Christ”, used here as the equivalent of “the spirit of the Lord [Jehovah]” (Isa 40.13), points to the deity of Christ.
It is the Holy Spirit who imparts the mind of Christ to believers, in virtue of their vital union with Him. This is not just limited to knowing the mind of the Lord for a specific occasion, but the possession of the thinking faculty of Christ. However, to possess the mind of Christ is one thing, but our use of it is another, and for this we are wholly dependent upon the Spirit of God. The practical realisation of this is enjoined in the Epistle to the Philippians: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (2.5).
¹ W E Vine, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
David E West
