I Corinthians 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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.
Open source ↗PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT. (1Co. 2:1-16) And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (Co1 1:27-28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (Co1 1:31). Compare Co1 1:23, "We." when I came-- (Act 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubtless, he read the Cilician Aratus' poems (which he quotes, Act 17:28), and Epimenides (Tit 1:12), and Menander (Co1 15:33). Grecian intellectual development was an important element in preparing the way for the Gospel, but it failed to regenerate the world, showing that for this a superhuman power is needed. Hellenistic (Grecizing) Judaism at Tarsus and Alexandria was the connecting link between the schools of Athens and those of the Rabbis. No more fitting birthplace could there have been for the apostle of the Gentiles than Tarsus, free as it was from the warping influences of Rome, Alexandria, and Athens. He had at the same time Roman citizenship, which protected him from sudden violence. Again, he was reared in the Hebrew divine law at Jerusalem. Thus, as the three elements, Greek cultivation, Roman polity (Luk 2:1), and the divine law given to the Jews, combined just at Christ's time, to prepare the world for the Gospel, so the same three, by God's marvellous providence, met together in the apostle to the Gentiles [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. testimony of God--"the testimony of Christ" (Co1 1:6); therefore Christ is God.
Open source ↗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 G…
Open source ↗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 g…
Open source ↗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.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ὑπεροχή (hyperochḗ, G5247) — prominence, i.e. (figuratively) superiority (in rank or character) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) καταγγέλλω (katangéllō, G2605) — to proclaim, promulgate ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you μαρτύριον (martýrion, G3142) — something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τοῦτον (toûton, G5126) — this (person, as objective of verb or preposition) σταυρόω (stauróō, G4717) — to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty φόβος (phóbos, G5401) — alarm or fright πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… τρόμος (trómos, G5156) — a "trembling", i.e. quaking with fear
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… κήρυγμα (kḗrygma, G2782) — a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πειθός (peithós, G3981) — persuasive ἀνθρώπινος (anthrṓpinos, G442) — human σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἀπόδειξις (apódeixis, G585) — manifestation πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a…
Open source ↗ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… ὦ (ō, G5600) — (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with G1487 (εἰ) and its… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τέλειος (téleios, G5046) — complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.);… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μυστήριον (mystḗrion, G3466) — a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious… ἀποκρύπτω (apokrýptō, G613) — to conceal away (i.e. fully); figuratively, to keep secret ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that προορίζω (proorízō, G4309) — to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or…
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἄν (án, G302) σταυρόω (stauróō, G4717) — to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or…
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὖς (oûs, G3775) — the ear (physically or mentally) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalýptō, G601) — to take off the cover, i.e. disclose ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐρευνάω (ereunáō, G2045) — to seek, i.e. (figuratively) to investigate πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… βάθος (báthos, G899) — profundity, i.e. (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… χαρίζομαι (charízomai, G5483) — to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἀνθρώπινος (anthrṓpinos, G442) — human σοφία (sophía, G4678) — wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) διδακτός (didaktós, G1318) — (subjectively) instructed, or (objectively) communicated by teaching ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… συγκρίνω (synkrínō, G4793) — to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. combine (spiritual ideas with… πνευματικός (pneumatikós, G4152) — non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ψυχικός (psychikós, G5591) — sensitive, i.e. animate (in distinction on the one hand from G4152 (πνευματικός), which… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are μωρία (mōría, G3472) — silliness, i.e. absurdity αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.
Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible.
who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.