1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 KJV)
Proclaiming Christ Crucified
In this passage, the apostle reminds the Corinthians how he conducted himself when he first preached the gospel to them.
He made it clear that he was determined to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). His focus was solely on Christ—his person and his sacrifice. This was the core of his message and the only knowledge he was intent on sharing. Whatever other knowledge he had, he chose to proclaim only Christ crucified.
As for his manner of preaching, Paul did not use lofty speech or human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1, 4). He did not try to impress them with eloquence, persuasive words, or philosophical arguments. His message did not depend on human skill or oratory. Divine truth needed no such embellishment.
Instead, he declared the testimony of God (1 Corinthians 2:1). He proclaimed a divine revelation, confirmed by its fulfillment of ancient prophecies and by miraculous signs. These were all the proof needed. Paul preached not with arrogance but with humility and sincerity—he was with them in weakness, fear, and much trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3). Though some criticized his appearance and speech (2 Corinthians 10:10), others once mistook him for Mercury, the messenger god, because he was the chief speaker (Acts 14:12). Paul wasn’t concerned with appearances or applause. He knew the weight of his calling and felt deeply responsible to handle it faithfully.
While modest, he preached with spiritual authority—in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Corinthians 2:4). He presented the gospel plainly, trusting the Holy Spirit to confirm it outwardly through miracles and inwardly by convicting hearts. He didn’t try to compel belief through clever reasoning but allowed God’s power to do the work.
His goal was that their faith would not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:5). He wanted them to believe not because of rhetorical persuasion or philosophical argument, but because they had encountered the living power of God through the message of the cross. This way, all glory would go to God alone.