1 Corinthians 2

1 CORINTHIANS 2

Wisdom of God vs. Wisdom of the World

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. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, KJV)

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Paul emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing God's wisdom and truth to believers. He explains that spiritual truths can only be discerned through the Spirit:

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. (1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV)

The Mystery of God's Wisdom

Paul speaks about God's hidden wisdom, which was previously unknown but has now been revealed through Christ and the Spirit:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1 Corinthians 2:7, KJV)

Christ Crucified as God's Power and Wisdom

Paul reiterates his focus on preaching Christ crucified, which he introduced in chapter 1, as the core of God's wisdom and power:

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2, KJV)

This chapter builds on Paul's arguments from chapter 1, further explaining why he preaches the way he does and emphasizing the superiority of God's wisdom over human understanding.

Text by Zach Anderson (zmanderson@gmail.com). Placed in public domain at ultrafree.org. KJV text is used. Feel free to copy and share, free of charge.