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.
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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?
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
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: