1 Corinthians 2:1
Verse
Context
Sermons
David Wilkerson
Stephen Kaung
Derek PrinceDavid Wilkerson
C.J. Mahaney
Jim Cymbala
George WarnockSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I, brethren, when I came to you,.... This account the apostle gives of himself is occasioned, either by what he had said in the latter part of the preceding chapter, concerning the choice God has made of the foolish, weak, base, and despicable things of the world, and of his calling them by his grace both to fellowship with the saints in common, and therefore he accommodated his ministry unto them, and in particular to the ministry of the word, of which he himself was a like instance and an example; or else by what he had declared in Co1 1:17 of the same chapter, that he was sent to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words; which he here reassumes, and affirms agreeably, that when he first came to Corinth, he came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom; for though he was not only versed in Jewish learning, being brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; but had also a good share of Grecian literature, and was capable, upon proper occasions, to cite the Greek poets, as he does Aratus, Act 17:28 and Menander, Tit 1:12 and so could, had he thought fit, have adorned his discourses with pompous language, with the flowers of rhetoric, and the eloquence of the Grecians; yet he chose not such a high and florid style, and which savoured so much of human wisdom and art; for the subject he treated of required no such dress, nor any great swelling words of vanity, or a bombast style to set it off, and gain the applause and assent of men: for what he delivered were plain matters of fact, attested by God himself, declaring unto you the testimony of God; that is, the Gospel, which bears a testimony to the love, grace, and mercy of God, his kindness and good will to the sons of men, in giving and sending his only begotten Son to be the Saviour and Redeemer of them; and in which God bears a testimony of his Son, of his sonship, deity, mediation, incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, of his resurrection, ascension to heaven, session at his right hand, intercession for his people, and his second coming to judgment, and of eternal life and salvation by him. All which being matter of fact, and depending upon the witness of God, which is greater than that of men, needed no art nor oratory of men to recommend it: it was enough in plain words, and easy language, to declare it, with the evidence by which it was supported. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, read, "the mystery" of God: and so the Syriac version , "the mystery of God" one of Stephens's copies reads, "the mystery of Christ"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "the testimony of Christ".
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In this passage the apostle pursues his design, and reminds the Corinthians how he acted when he first preached the gospel among them. I. As to the matter or subject he tell us (Co1 2:2), He determined to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ and him crucified - to make a show of no other knowledge than this, to preach nothing, to discover the knowledge of nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Note, Christ, in his person and offices, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching. His business is to display the banner of the cross, and invite people under it. Any one that heard Paul preach found him to harp so continually on this string that he would say he knew nothing but Christ and him crucified. Whatever other knowledge he had, this was the only knowledge he discovered, and showed himself concerned to propagate among his hearers. II. The manner wherein he preached Christ is here also observable. 1. Negatively. He came not among them with excellency of speech or wisdom, Co1 2:1. His speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, Co1 2:4. He did not affect to appear a fine orator or a deep philosopher; nor did he insinuate himself into their minds, by a flourish of words, or a pompous show of deep reason and extraordinary science and skill. He did not set himself to captivate the ear by fine turns and eloquent expressions, nor to please and entertain the fancy with lofty flights of sublime notions. Neither his speech, nor the wisdom he taught, savoured of human skill: he learnt both in another school. Divine wisdom needed not to be set off with such human ornaments. 2. Positively. He came among them declaring the testimony of God, Co1 2:1. He published a divine revelation, and gave in sufficient vouchers for the authority of it, both by its consonancy to ancient predictions and by present miraculous operations; and there he left the matter. Ornaments of speech and philosophical skill and argument could add no weight to what came recommended by such authority. He was also among them in weakness and fear, and in much trembling; and yet his speech and preaching were in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, Co1 2:3, Co1 2:4. His enemies in the church of Corinth spoke very contemptuously of him: His bodily presence, say they, is weak, and his speech contemptible, Co2 10:10. Possibly he had a little body, and a low voice; but, though he had not so good an elocution as some, it is plain that he was no mean speaker. The men of Lystra looked on him to be the heathen god Mercury, come down to them in the form of a man, because he was the chief speaker, Act 14:12. Nor did he want courage nor resolution to go through his work; he was in nothing terrified by his adversaries. Yet he was no boaster. He did not proudly vaunt himself, like his opposers. He acted in his office with much modesty, concern, and care. He behaved with great humility among them; not as one grown vain with the honour and authority conferred on him, but as one concerned to approve himself faithful, and fearful of himself, lest he should mismanage in his trust. Observe, None know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, who are zealous over souls with a godly jealousy; and a deep sense of their own weakness is the occasion of this fear and trembling. They know how insufficient they are, and are therefore fearful for themselves. But, though Paul managed with this modesty and concern, yet he spoke with authority: In the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He preached the truths of Christ in their native dress, with plainness of speech. He laid down the doctrine as the Spirit delivered it; and left the Spirit, by his external operation in signs and miracles, and his internal influences on the hearts of men, to demonstrate the truth of it, and procure its reception. III. Here is the end mentioned for which he preached Christ crucified in this manner: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but the power of God (Co1 2:5) - that they might not be drawn by human motives, nor overcome by mere human arguments, lest it should be said that either rhetoric or logic had made them Christians. But, when nothing but Christ crucified was plainly preached, the success must be founded, not on human wisdom, but divine evidence and operation. The gospel was so preached that God might appear and be glorified in all.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:1-5 God’s sovereign work made Paul’s preaching effective. In his evangelism, Paul did not rely on the persuasive power of his intellect or his dynamic personality, but on the power of the Holy Spirit (see also study note on 1:18-31). 2:1 When I first came to you: See Acts 18:1-17. lofty words and impressive wisdom: Human wisdom and philosophy don’t bring people to Christ (see 1 Cor 1:17, 21; 2:2). The message of the cross has its own power to convert the human heart (see 1:17; Rom 1:16; Gal 6:14). • God’s secret plan: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.
1 Corinthians 2:1
Paul’s Message by the Spirit’s Power
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Australia) Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power
By David Wilkerson37K50:06Power1CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power in the world today. He encourages believers to seek God and rely on His Spirit rather than relying on their own wisdom or enticing words. The preacher shares his personal experience of going through a time of breaking and being comforted by the Holy Spirit, who revealed that he was being made a demonstration of the Spirit and power. The sermon concludes with a reminder that the purpose of the demonstration of the Spirit and power is to touch and transform lives, as exemplified by the preacher's encounter with the faces of murderers in New York City.
1 Corinthians - Symptoms of the Carnal Life
By Stephen Kaung9.4K53:351CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of God's faithfulness and the importance of staying faithful to Him. The preacher emphasizes that the world is becoming increasingly wicked and unrighteous, which can influence God's people. The preacher also highlights the issue of believers accusing and prosecuting one another, even going to Gentile judges for resolution. The solution to these problems, according to the preacher, is to recognize the fullness of Christ's provision, including His crucifixion, and to ask the Lord for deliverance. The sermon references various passages from the Bible, including 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 6, to support these teachings.
The Cross at the Center - Part 1
By Derek Prince3.7K28:221CO 2:1This sermon by Derek Prince delves into the significance of the cross and the message of Christ crucified, emphasizing the contrast between human wisdom and the power of God revealed through the sacrifice of Jesus. The speaker highlights the all-sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, explaining how it provides total provision for every human need and releases God's supernatural grace in our lives. Through biblical references and personal testimony, the sermon underscores the essential role of the cross in bringing us to the end of ourselves and leading us to rely solely on God's wisdom and strength.
The Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power
By David Wilkerson3.4K38:411CO 2:1In this sermon, Paul emphasizes the importance of following his ways and teachings. He plans to send Timothy to the Corinthian church to remind them of his ways and to encourage them to follow him. Paul believes that following his ways will lead to a full revelation of Jesus Christ. He also highlights the need for believers to be a demonstration of the Holy Ghost's power and authority in all aspects of their lives, not just in preaching from the pulpit.
Grace and the Adventure of Leadership
By C.J. Mahaney1.9K1:04:15Leadership1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of grace and the adventure of leadership. He admits that he did not initially volunteer to preach this message, but he believes it is a reflection of his life's work. The speaker emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude to God and highlights a verse from the Bible that expresses deep thanksgiving. He also shares his disbelief that he gets paid to do what he loves and compares it to the idea of sports writers learning to write by the second grade.
What My Wife Has Modeled for Me
By Jim Cymbala1.9K50:53Women Ministry1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preaching the gospel and witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit. He talks about the exhaustion and dedication required in his ministry, where he would preach multiple services a day for years. Despite his initial struggles as a preacher, he emphasizes the importance of preaching with the demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power. He also highlights the impact of personal testimonies in leading people to Christ, sharing a powerful story of a former crack addict who found redemption through Jesus.
New Beginnings - the Hidden Manna I
By George Warnock1.7K1:19:25Beginnings1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the timing of God's work is not determined by human understanding or limitations. He assures the audience that God will fulfill His promises and nothing can hinder His plans. The speaker also highlights the importance of obedience and willingness in serving God, rather than relying on human wisdom or eloquent speech. He references the book of Revelation and the concept of hidden wisdom, suggesting that God imparts knowledge and understanding to His chosen people. The speaker encourages the audience to have faith in the power of God and to trust in His wisdom rather than the wisdom of the world.
Christ and Him Crucified
By Conrad Mbewe1.6K47:59Christ Crucified1CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher expresses concern about the state of preaching today, noting that much of it revolves around stories about the preacher rather than focusing on the message of God. He emphasizes that true preaching should not be based on eloquence or personal glory, but on a firm commitment to proclaiming the gospel. The preacher highlights the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ, from his birth in a humble setting to his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, and encourages listeners to reflect on the wondrous work of Christ. He calls for a return to preaching that brings out the unsearchable riches of Christ and focuses on the gospel message rather than personal achievements.
Not Trusting Our Wisdom
By Gayle Erwin1.3K37:561CO 2:1
This sermon emphasizes the importance of using the gifts and talents bestowed upon individuals to serve others and bring glory to God. It highlights the concept of being a friend of Jesus, doing His will, and the significance of humility and service in the Christian journey. The speaker encourages the audience to rely on God's strength, seek wisdom, and embrace the various gifts of the Spirit for ministry and impact.
The Wisdom of Men and the Power of God
By John Piper1.3K30:121CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the frailty of human beings and the need to recognize our dependence on God. He uses the analogy of having a treasure in earthen vessels, referring to the gospel message within our weak bodies. The speaker warns against relying on our physical strength and youth, as we can still face illness and accidents. He emphasizes the authority of the written word of God and the duty of pastors to communicate what has already been said or implied. The sermon concludes with a call to focus on the power of God rather than the wisdom of man.
The Power and Presence of God
By Michael L. Brown1.0K1:06:161CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on God's strength rather than our own. He highlights the tendency to focus on methods and resources rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. The speaker quotes Hudson Taylor and John G. Lake to emphasize the supernatural nature of the Christian faith and the need for God's power in fulfilling the Great Commission. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God's wisdom and the ability to deliver His message effectively.
The Cross and the Church, Part 3
By Stephen Kaung8701:28:391CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord. He highlights that Jesus is the testimony of God and that it is crucial for believers to bear witness to Him. The preacher also discusses the role of Paul in proclaiming the testimony of Jesus, emphasizing that Paul did not rely on persuasive words of wisdom but on the demonstration of the Spirit and power. The sermon also touches on the significance of the Old Testament and how it points to the suffering and glorification of the Messiah, Jesus.
Cross and Gospel 3
By Anton Bosch85316:01CrossMAT 6:331CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the preaching of the gospel as the only means of salvation. He praises pastors who can preach for long periods of time and encourages listeners to have patience and attentiveness. The preacher warns against relying on techniques such as advertising and marketing to build the kingdom of God, emphasizing the need for a genuine and uncompromising message. He highlights the significance of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion as the central message of the gospel, drawing from biblical references in 1 Corinthians and Matthew.
Acts 14_pt1
By Bill Gallatin8101:08:36ExpositionalMAT 10:8ACT 3:6ACT 14:3ACT 14:15ACT 14:17ACT 14:221CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of grace and redemption. He highlights that God loves His people and desires to show Himself faithful. The preacher also discusses how God grants signs and wonders to be done by His people's hands. He cautions against idolizing preachers or church leaders, emphasizing that the focus should always be on Jesus Christ. The sermon encourages listeners to open their hearts to Jesus and allow Him to transform their lives.
There Is a War Going On
By Rolfe Barnard78043:231CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ. He mentions that he had to preach for a longer time in the past, but now he believes that the profound statement is that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah. The preacher talks about the need for a demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power in order to strengthen our faith. He refers to the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians, where Paul mentions the determination and demonstration of the Spirit in his preaching. The preacher also highlights the current challenges to the sovereignty and power of Christ in the world.
Exhortation to Become Involved
By Rolfe Barnard61644:29Exhortation1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the profound statement that God has made both Lord and Messiah. He highlights the importance of surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ and not just admiring Him. The speaker emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit to press the person, purity, and power of Jesus Christ in order to prosper His cause. He also mentions the challenge to Christ's sovereignty and power in the world today and the need for believers to focus on the message of Jesus Christ crucified.
A Biblical Perspective of Missions
By Mose Stoltzfus6051:25:53Missions1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the simplicity and power of the gospel. He highlights the importance of confessing with one's mouth the Lordship of Jesus Christ and surrendering oneself to Him. The speaker also mentions the shutting down of missions by governments and the need to continue sharing the good news of God's love and salvation. He concludes by reminding the audience that God's promises are trustworthy and that anyone who repents and calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Embrace the Cross
By Al Whittinghill5991:09:52Cross of Christ1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker describes the story of Barabbas, a criminal who was sentenced to be crucified. The speaker vividly portrays the fear and agony Barabbas experienced as he awaited his execution. However, to Barabbas' surprise, he hears the warden proclaiming good news instead of carrying out his sentence. The speaker then explains that the self-life and pride hinder us from experiencing the presence of Jesus Christ. He encourages the audience to let go of their self-centeredness and embrace the freedom and love that comes from surrendering to Jesus.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 196
By Don Courville31930:29Radio Show1CO 2:1In this sermon, the speaker expresses concern about the state of the church today, particularly in America. He believes that the church has departed from the power of God and is playing games instead of truly seeking Him. He references the concept of building with gold, silver, and precious stones versus wood, hay, and stubble, emphasizing the importance of producing eternal results. The speaker also shares his personal journey of learning about the glory of God and how he was impacted by a book that exposed the church's departure from God's glory.
Jesus, God's Final Revelation (Feb. 22, 1992)
By George Warnock1941:26:23Jesus1CO 2:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the abundance of knowledge and resources available to Christians, such as books, tapes, and songs. However, he suggests that despite having access to this knowledge, many believers lack vision. He emphasizes that God imparts knowledge to us in order to give us a vision of His purpose for our lives. The preacher also highlights the importance of Jesus' teachings, explaining that Jesus spoke to a people who were hard-hearted and blind, using parables to convey the beautiful truths of the kingdom of God. He concludes the sermon with a prayer, asking God to make His people open, receptive, and hungry for His word, so that it may become living truth within them.
A Demonstration of Power
By Shane Idleman201:00:50Spiritual PowerHoly Spirit1CO 2:1Shane Idleman emphasizes the necessity of experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, drawing from Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 2:1. He explains that true spiritual power comes not from eloquence or human wisdom, but from a deep connection with God, which is often hindered by unrepentant sin. Idleman encourages believers to embrace their weaknesses and fears, as these are the avenues through which God's strength is made perfect. He stresses the importance of humility, confession, and a genuine relationship with God to be filled with the Spirit and to live boldly for Christ. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the source of power, urging Christians to seek God wholeheartedly and to share the gospel with others.
Why Do You See Things Differently?
By Shane Idleman1553:12Wisdom Of GodSpiritual Maturity1CO 2:1Shane Idleman addresses the question of why Christians often see the world differently from others, emphasizing the importance of spiritual maturity and the distinction between worldly wisdom and God's wisdom. He highlights that true understanding comes from the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to discern spiritual truths and navigate the complexities of life. Idleman challenges the congregation to reflect on their spiritual growth and the wisdom they embrace, urging them to seek God's truth rather than conforming to societal norms. He concludes by reminding listeners of the power of God and the importance of focusing on Him amidst the chaos of the world.
The Highway for the Saints of God
By H.J. Vine0JHN 14:6ROM 8:291CO 2:1EPH 5:14COL 2:6HEB 2:91JN 2:6REV 22:5H.J. Vine preaches on the importance of walking in Christ Jesus the Lord, emphasizing the connection between prayer, the Word of God, and spiritual growth. Believers are called to walk as saints, separated from the world and with heavenly hopes, aligning their earthly walk with their heavenly calling. The sermon highlights the necessity of faith to walk in Him, drawing parallels between the Sun of righteousness shining upon Israel and Christ shining upon believers, encouraging them to awaken to His glory and walk in His light.
Victory of the Cross
By Paris Reidhead0JER 17:9MAT 9:38JHN 19:301CO 2:1EPH 4:8Paris Reidhead preaches about the Victory of the Cross, emphasizing the foundational importance of Jesus Christ and Him crucified in the Christian life. He delves into the ancient conflict between God and Satan, highlighting Satan's limited knowledge and the necessity for proper understanding of God's truths and grace. Reidhead shares his personal journey of moving from indoctrination to seeking genuine, experiential truth in God, urging listeners to engage in personal study and critical thinking. He explores the profound significance of God's love, light, life, and truth in the battle against Satan's hate, darkness, death, and lies, ultimately culminating in the victory of Christ on the cross and His triumphant resurrection.
1 Corinthians 2
By John Nelson Darby0Divine WisdomThe Cross1CO 2:1John Nelson Darby emphasizes the apostle Paul's approach in 1 Corinthians 2, where he sets aside human wisdom and focuses solely on the message of the cross. Paul acknowledges his own weakness and fear, presenting Christ crucified as the central theme of his preaching, which contrasts sharply with worldly wisdom. He explains that the cross reveals God's wisdom and brings an end to human pride, highlighting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in understanding divine truths. Darby notes that true spiritual maturity comes from recognizing our standing in Christ and the revelation of God's mysteries through the Spirit. Ultimately, he asserts that the cross is the ultimate answer to human sin and folly, leading believers into a new creation in Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And I, brethren, when I came to you,.... This account the apostle gives of himself is occasioned, either by what he had said in the latter part of the preceding chapter, concerning the choice God has made of the foolish, weak, base, and despicable things of the world, and of his calling them by his grace both to fellowship with the saints in common, and therefore he accommodated his ministry unto them, and in particular to the ministry of the word, of which he himself was a like instance and an example; or else by what he had declared in Co1 1:17 of the same chapter, that he was sent to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom of words; which he here reassumes, and affirms agreeably, that when he first came to Corinth, he came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom; for though he was not only versed in Jewish learning, being brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; but had also a good share of Grecian literature, and was capable, upon proper occasions, to cite the Greek poets, as he does Aratus, Act 17:28 and Menander, Tit 1:12 and so could, had he thought fit, have adorned his discourses with pompous language, with the flowers of rhetoric, and the eloquence of the Grecians; yet he chose not such a high and florid style, and which savoured so much of human wisdom and art; for the subject he treated of required no such dress, nor any great swelling words of vanity, or a bombast style to set it off, and gain the applause and assent of men: for what he delivered were plain matters of fact, attested by God himself, declaring unto you the testimony of God; that is, the Gospel, which bears a testimony to the love, grace, and mercy of God, his kindness and good will to the sons of men, in giving and sending his only begotten Son to be the Saviour and Redeemer of them; and in which God bears a testimony of his Son, of his sonship, deity, mediation, incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, of his resurrection, ascension to heaven, session at his right hand, intercession for his people, and his second coming to judgment, and of eternal life and salvation by him. All which being matter of fact, and depending upon the witness of God, which is greater than that of men, needed no art nor oratory of men to recommend it: it was enough in plain words, and easy language, to declare it, with the evidence by which it was supported. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, read, "the mystery" of God: and so the Syriac version , "the mystery of God" one of Stephens's copies reads, "the mystery of Christ"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "the testimony of Christ".
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In this passage the apostle pursues his design, and reminds the Corinthians how he acted when he first preached the gospel among them. I. As to the matter or subject he tell us (Co1 2:2), He determined to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ and him crucified - to make a show of no other knowledge than this, to preach nothing, to discover the knowledge of nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Note, Christ, in his person and offices, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching. His business is to display the banner of the cross, and invite people under it. Any one that heard Paul preach found him to harp so continually on this string that he would say he knew nothing but Christ and him crucified. Whatever other knowledge he had, this was the only knowledge he discovered, and showed himself concerned to propagate among his hearers. II. The manner wherein he preached Christ is here also observable. 1. Negatively. He came not among them with excellency of speech or wisdom, Co1 2:1. His speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, Co1 2:4. He did not affect to appear a fine orator or a deep philosopher; nor did he insinuate himself into their minds, by a flourish of words, or a pompous show of deep reason and extraordinary science and skill. He did not set himself to captivate the ear by fine turns and eloquent expressions, nor to please and entertain the fancy with lofty flights of sublime notions. Neither his speech, nor the wisdom he taught, savoured of human skill: he learnt both in another school. Divine wisdom needed not to be set off with such human ornaments. 2. Positively. He came among them declaring the testimony of God, Co1 2:1. He published a divine revelation, and gave in sufficient vouchers for the authority of it, both by its consonancy to ancient predictions and by present miraculous operations; and there he left the matter. Ornaments of speech and philosophical skill and argument could add no weight to what came recommended by such authority. He was also among them in weakness and fear, and in much trembling; and yet his speech and preaching were in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, Co1 2:3, Co1 2:4. His enemies in the church of Corinth spoke very contemptuously of him: His bodily presence, say they, is weak, and his speech contemptible, Co2 10:10. Possibly he had a little body, and a low voice; but, though he had not so good an elocution as some, it is plain that he was no mean speaker. The men of Lystra looked on him to be the heathen god Mercury, come down to them in the form of a man, because he was the chief speaker, Act 14:12. Nor did he want courage nor resolution to go through his work; he was in nothing terrified by his adversaries. Yet he was no boaster. He did not proudly vaunt himself, like his opposers. He acted in his office with much modesty, concern, and care. He behaved with great humility among them; not as one grown vain with the honour and authority conferred on him, but as one concerned to approve himself faithful, and fearful of himself, lest he should mismanage in his trust. Observe, None know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, who are zealous over souls with a godly jealousy; and a deep sense of their own weakness is the occasion of this fear and trembling. They know how insufficient they are, and are therefore fearful for themselves. But, though Paul managed with this modesty and concern, yet he spoke with authority: In the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He preached the truths of Christ in their native dress, with plainness of speech. He laid down the doctrine as the Spirit delivered it; and left the Spirit, by his external operation in signs and miracles, and his internal influences on the hearts of men, to demonstrate the truth of it, and procure its reception. III. Here is the end mentioned for which he preached Christ crucified in this manner: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but the power of God (Co1 2:5) - that they might not be drawn by human motives, nor overcome by mere human arguments, lest it should be said that either rhetoric or logic had made them Christians. But, when nothing but Christ crucified was plainly preached, the success must be founded, not on human wisdom, but divine evidence and operation. The gospel was so preached that God might appear and be glorified in all.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:1-5 God’s sovereign work made Paul’s preaching effective. In his evangelism, Paul did not rely on the persuasive power of his intellect or his dynamic personality, but on the power of the Holy Spirit (see also study note on 1:18-31). 2:1 When I first came to you: See Acts 18:1-17. lofty words and impressive wisdom: Human wisdom and philosophy don’t bring people to Christ (see 1 Cor 1:17, 21; 2:2). The message of the cross has its own power to convert the human heart (see 1:17; Rom 1:16; Gal 6:14). • God’s secret plan: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.