1Corinthians 2:1,2 – Impress the world?

And I, coming to you, brethren, came not with superiority of word or of wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God, for I decide not to perceive anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

That the stupidity of GOD is wiser than men (1:25), Paul illustrated by pointing to the composition of the ecclesia in Corinth (“not many wise according to the flesh…” 1:26). Now he points to a consequence for him personally in the preaching. Since GOD saves people through the stupidity of the heralding (:21), he refused to go to Corinth with rhetoric(“superiority of word”) or with ingenious arguments.

Paul was a learned man and well informed about the various philosophical directions (see Acts. 17). He could easily quote a variety of philosophers. But Paul did not want to impress with God’s testimony. Or make himself to be acceptable on the world’s stage. Why would he? Why wanting to go along in worldly wisdom when GOD reckons it to be foolishness?

When Paul came to Corinth, he did not bring something, but someone. And Someone for whom the world only reserved a wooden pole to be nailed to. That is where GOD’s wisdom begins.

Delen: