1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
Read Chapter 2

Alexander of Alexandria

AD 250
For if the knowledge of many other things that are incomparably inferior to this, are hidden from human comprehension, such as in the apostle Paul, "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 min1/17

Ambrosiaster

AD 400
These words were expressed somewhat differently by Isaiah, and they are also found in the apocryphal Apocalypse of Elijah. Paul uses them to refer to the incarnation of Christ, which not only goes against human perception but is beyond the understanding of heavenly powers as well. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
< 1 min2/17

Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215
And eyes anointed by the Word, and ears pierced for perception, make a man a hearer and contemplator of divine and sacred things, the Word truly exhibiting the true beauty "which eye hath not seen nor ear heard before.". For those things which are really good, are what "neither ear hath heard, not hath ever entered into the heart". "Lo, I make new things "saith the Word, "which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man.". For God hath revealed it to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of God.". Of ineffable and unutterable blessings, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of men; into which angels desire to look, and see what good things God hath prepared for the saints and the children who love Him."

Clement Of Rome

AD 99
If, therefore, we shall do righteousness in the sight of God, we shall enter into His kingdom, and shall receive the promises, "which ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man.". can partake of, when the Holy Spirit is joined to it. No one can utter or speak "what the Lord hath prepared "for His elect. If, therefore, we shall do righteousness in the sight of God, we shall enter into His kingdom, and shall receive the promises, which "ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man.". Such is the life and immortality, which this flesh may afterwards receive, the Holy Spirit cleaving to it; and no one can either express or utter what things the Lord hath prepared for His elect.

Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637
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. After "but" there is an ecthlipsis, and we must supply, "this wisdom and the glory which was its end were hidden from them," as it is written, &c. He then quotes Isaiah 64:4. 1. Isaiah , in the passage quoted, is speaking of the Incarnation of Christ and of this present life. And hence Chrysostom, Ambrose, Theophylact, Å’cumenius take this verse of the miracles of Christ, and of the Wisdom of Solomon , virtues, and grace which Christ by living here on earth has imparted to us. 2. It is more agreeable to the context to say that Isaiah seems to fly away in admiration from the Incarnation and manhood of Christ to the celestial glory, which is the fruit and end of the Incarnation of Christ; for such flights and sudden changes are common with the Prophets, because of the sublime and ample light if prophecy which they enjoyed. This ap...

Gregory The Dialogist

AD 604
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
< 1 min6/17

Hippolytus of Rome

AD 235
But swear, says Justinus, if you wish to know "what eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, and the things which have not entered into the heart; ". And immediately the gate was opened, and the Father, without the angels, entered, (advancing) towards the Good One, and beheld "what eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, and what hath not entered into the heart of man to (conceive).". "And when he has sworn this oath, he goes on to the Good One, and beholds "whatever things eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man; ". Ye who believe these words, O men, will be partakers with the righteous, and will have part in these future blessings, which "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.". And what mouth then will be able to tell out those blessings which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things w...

Irenaeus of Lyons

AD 202
And in all these things, and by them all, the same God the Father is manifested, who fashioned man, and gave promise of the inheritance of the earth to the fathers, who brought it (the creature) forth
< 1 min8/17

Isaac of Syria

AD 700
When it says “which eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard” and the rest, Scripture has declared to us that the good things to come are incomprehensible and have no similarity to any thing here.
< 1 min9/17

John Chrysostom

AD 407
Where are these words written? Why, it is said to have been written, then also, when it is set down, not in words, but in actual events, as in the historical books ; or when the same meaning is expressed, but not in the very same words, as in this place: for the words, They to whom it was not told about Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand, Isaiah 52:15; Septuagint. Comp. Romans 15:21; Isaiah 64:4 are the same with the things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Either then this is his meaning, or probably it was actually written in some books, and the copies have perished. For indeed many books were destroyed, and few were preserved entire even in the first captivity. And this is plain, in those which remain to us. For the Apostle says Acts 3:24 From Samuel and the Prophets which follow after they have all spoken concerning Him: and these their words are not entirely extant. Paul, however, as being learned in the law and speaking by the Spirit, would of course...
7 mins10/17

John Chrysostom

AD 407
Where are these words written? Either they are a paraphrase of some passage [such as Isaiah :], or they were written in some book which has now disappeared. In fact, many books were destroyed, and very few survived the first captivity intact, as we know from the documents which have survived. Not all the words of the prophets are extant, but Paul, who was learned in the law and was also speaking by the Spirit, would have known them all accurately.
< 1 min11/17

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius

AD 320
For, turning away from the chief good, which is blessed and everlasting on this account, because it cannot be seen,
< 1 min12/17

Martyrdom Of Polycarp

AD 155
For they kept before their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched, and looked forward with the eyes of their heart to those good things which are laid up for such as endure; things "which ear hath not heard, nor eye seen, neither have entered into the heart of man"
< 1 min13/17

Severian of Gabala

AD 425
One should not think that God has indiscriminately revealed the mystery to some and allowed the rest to perish in ignorance. Rather one should know and be persuaded that by the foreknowledge of his power God prepared the right thing for each person according to his deserts, for he foresees what each one will choose even before it happens. .
< 1 min14/17

Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220
The expression means the blessings which await the flesh when in the kingdom of God it shall be renewed, and made like the angels, and waiting to obtain the things "which neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man."
< 1 min15/17

The Apostolic Constitutions

AD 375
To inherit those things "which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, such things as God hath prepared for them that love Him; "
< 1 min16/17

Theophilus of Antioch

AD 184
Seek immortality, He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.
< 1 min17/17

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation - 2 Peter 1:20

App Store LogoPlay Store Logo