1 Corinthians 2:2

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

For {G1063} I determined {G2919} not {G3756} to know {G1492} any thing {G5100} among {G1722} you {G5213}, save {G1508} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, and {G2532} him {G5126} crucified {G4717}.

for I had decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Yeshua the Messiah, and even him only as someone who had been executed on a stake as a criminal.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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

Context of 1 Corinthians 2:2

The Apostle Paul writes this verse to the church in Corinth, a city renowned for its philosophy, rhetoric, and worldly wisdom. In the preceding chapter (1 Corinthians 1), Paul contrasts human wisdom with the "foolishness of God", which is ultimately wiser and stronger than any human intellect. The Corinthians valued eloquence and sophisticated arguments, and Paul deliberately chose a different approach. His visit to Corinth was not marked by impressive speech or persuasive philosophy, but by a singular focus on the foundational truth of the Christian faith. This verse encapsulates his strategic and spiritual resolve in his ministry to them, emphasizing that his message would not be diluted or obscured by worldly intellectualism.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Centrality of Christ Crucified: Paul's declaration highlights that the heart of his message, and indeed the entire Christian faith, is the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His crucifixion. This event, often seen as a sign of weakness or shame in the ancient world, is presented by Paul as the ultimate display of God's power and wisdom for salvation.
  • Simplicity of the Gospel: In a culture that prized elaborate rhetoric and philosophical debate, Paul intentionally stripped away any distractions to present the gospel plainly. He did not rely on human eloquence or intellectual arguments but on the transformative power inherent in the message of Christ's atoning death.
  • Divine Wisdom vs. Human Wisdom: This verse is a direct challenge to the Corinthian fascination with worldly wisdom. Paul asserts that true spiritual knowledge and power come not from human intellect or persuasive speech, but from the seemingly humble and "foolish" message of the cross. This aligns with Paul's broader teaching that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to believers, it is the power of God.

Linguistic Insights

The word "determined" (Greek: ekrina) signifies a decisive, deliberate, and firm resolution. It's not a casual choice but a settled conviction, indicating Paul's unwavering commitment to his core message. The phrase "him crucified" (Greek: estauromenon) uses a perfect passive participle, emphasizing the lasting state and ongoing significance of Christ's crucifixion. It's not just an event that happened, but an accomplished fact with eternal implications for humanity's reconciliation with God.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 2:2 serves as a powerful reminder of what truly matters in faith and ministry. It encourages us to:

  • Keep Christ Central: Our faith, our witness, and our hope should always be firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. This is the foundation of our salvation and the source of our spiritual strength.
  • Embrace Simplicity: The gospel's power doesn't depend on our intellectual prowess or persuasive abilities, but on God's ability to transform lives through His truth. We are called to share the simple, profound message of God's love and sacrifice.
  • Trust God's Power in Weakness: What the world might deem weak or foolish (like a crucified Messiah) is often where God's greatest power is displayed. This verse encourages humility and reliance on God's strength rather than our own. As Paul later states, God's strength is made perfect in weakness.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 6:14

    But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

  • Philippians 3:8

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

  • Philippians 3:10

    That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

  • John 17:3

    And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:22

    For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:25

    Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

  • Galatians 3:1

    ¶ O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

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