Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 2:1-9”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’”
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I must admit that I am impressed by clever speakers who really have a way with words and a mastery of the English language. I find it enjoyable and enriching when “wordsmiths” utilize creative wordplay and colorful illustrations, and preach the truth in ways that really stimulate my mind and bring the word to life. But the inspired Apostle makes it clear in today’s passage that it is the CONTENT of the message that is of ultimate importance and not the MANNER in which it is presented.
The manner in which Paul spoke was not with superior rhetoric and “impressive words” (verse 4), and the content was not worldly wisdom and human philosophy. Paul unashamedly proclaimed “the testimony of God” (verse 1). He related facts about Jesus and His sacrifice and His teaching that his audience needed to hear in order to make and keep their lives right with God. Don’t get me wrong. Paul was a master wordsmith himself and he often utilized his skills well (at least in his written discourse). But “superiority of speech” will never be enough to save our souls. We all need to hear and learn the plain, simple truth!
“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (verse 2). When Paul was teaching in the city of Corinth, he wasn’t thinking about anything but Christ. His whole mind was all wrapped up in and consumed by one thought—Jesus! Certainly he told them about all the good things that Jesus did and taught, and how that He is our perfect example to follow. But he really honed in on the redeeming power of Christ’s sacrificial death. God loves the people He created so very much that He came to the Earth in the form of a human being for the very purpose of dying for them! Just let that sink in! Is it any wonder that Paul’s mind was fixated on the wonder of such incalculable love?!
It is very interesting that Paul simultaneously preached the word “in weakness and fear” (verse 3), and also “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (verse 4). Paul understood his own human frailty and the magnitude of the calling to help save immortal souls, so he did not speak with the arrogance of most human philosophers. At the same time, he was confident in God who empowered him to preach the truth under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and in demonstration of the apostolic authority endowed to him. Paul had a very good grasp of the weakness of his own flesh and the power of God’s Gospel (Romans 1:16).
Our faith must not “rest in the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (verse 5). Paul is not condemning true wisdom, only the so-called wisdom that is based upon fickle feelings and human speculation and childish self-will. There is power and prudence and safety, however, in God’s wisdom that produces spiritual maturity (verse 6). God has prepared more spiritual blessings that He wants to bestow upon us than we could ever possibly imagine (verse 9). They are all made available through the cross of Christ and the Gospel of salvation.
Please read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 for tomorrow.
Hope you have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
