1 Corinthians2

Paul declares that he did not preach with human eloquence or wisdom, but focused solely on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, relying on the Spirit's power. He explains that God's hidden wisdom, unknown to worldly rulers, is revealed by the Holy Spirit to believers. The natural man cannot comprehend these spiritual truths, which are only spiritually discerned.

Listen to this chapter

Paul's Method in Corinth: Christ Crucified

¶ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The Hidden Wisdom of God

¶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

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.

Revealed by the Holy Spirit

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

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.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Study Notes for 1 Corinthians 2

Verse 1

Paul emphasizes that his focus was not on Greek rhetorical style ('excellency of speech'), which the Corinthians valued, but solely on proclaiming God’s revealed truth ('the testimony of God').

Verse 2

This declaration summarizes the heart of the gospel (kerygma). The focus on 'him crucified' highlights the scandalous and foolish nature of the message from a worldly perspective (1:23).

Verse 3

Paul’s physical and emotional vulnerability ('weakness, fear, trembling') ensured that the power of the message was clearly divine, not dependent on his own charisma or persuasive ability.

Verse 5

The purpose of Paul's simple delivery was pedagogical: to ensure that the foundation of the Corinthians' faith rested on God's supernatural power demonstrated through the resurrection, not on persuasive human logic.

Verse 6

'Perfect' (teleios) refers not to sinless perfection, but to spiritual maturity. Paul speaks profound theology to believers who are ready to receive it, contrasting with the elementary message needed for new converts.

Verse 7

God's wisdom is described as a 'mystery,' meaning a truth previously hidden but now revealed in Christ. This plan of salvation was ordained before creation to bring ultimate glory to the redeemed.

Verse 8

The 'princes of this world' likely refers to both human authorities (like Pilate) and spiritual, demonic powers. Had they understood God's plan, they would not have participated in the crucifixion, which secured their own downfall.

Verse 9

This is a loose citation, likely from Isaiah 64:4, adapted to emphasize that the blessings of God (the wisdom revealed in Christ) exceed human imagination or discovery.

Verse 10

In contrast to human inability (v. 9), God reveals this deep wisdom through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has full access to the divine mind ('searcheth all things').

Verse 11

This analogy emphasizes that just as a person’s inner spirit knows their thoughts, only the Spirit of God possesses the capacity to know and reveal God’s essential nature and plans.

Verse 13

Paul insists that the manner of teaching (the words and concepts used) is also Spirit-guided, not merely the content. 'Comparing spiritual things with spiritual' means interpreting spiritual truths using Spirit-taught language.

Verse 14

The 'natural man' (psychikos) refers to the unregenerate person whose soul is governed by earthly senses and intellect, lacking the Holy Spirit. Divine truths appear as utter 'foolishness' to them because they lack the necessary spiritual faculty for discernment.

Verse 15

The spiritual man is able to evaluate and understand all spiritual matters, but cannot be adequately judged by those who remain unspiritual (the natural man).

Verse 16

Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 rhetorically, then provides the astonishing Christian answer: believers *do* know the mind of the Lord because they possess the Holy Spirit, who grants them the 'mind of Christ.'

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

1 Corinthians2

Paul's Method in Corinth: Christ Crucified

The Hidden Wisdom of God

Revealed by the Holy Spirit

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options