1And when I came to you, brothers, I came not with superiority of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. [2:2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [2:3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. [2:4] And my speech and my proclamation were not in convincing words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power — [2:5] so that your faith might not rest in human wisdom but in the power of God.
1CO 2:1-5
Paulʼs Message by the Spiritʼs Power
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, rhetorical skill and philosophical wisdom were highly valued, particularly in urban centers like Corinth. Public speakers and philosophers often competed for patronage and influence by demonstrating eloquence and intellectual prowess. Paul’s emphasis on not coming with 'excellency of speech or wisdom' would have stood in stark contrast to these cultural expectations. His deliberate avoidance of persuasive rhetoric and reliance on 'demonstration of the Spirit and of power' would have been countercultural, challenging the Corinthians’ assumptions about authority and persuasion. The term , often translated as 'testimony,' carries a legal or authoritative weight, suggesting Paul’s message was not merely philosophical but grounded in divine witness. His focus on 'Jesus Christ and Him crucified' would have been jarring in a society that valued strength and honor, as crucifixion was a shameful and degrading form of execution. Paul’s 'weakness, fear, and trembling' further subverted Greco-Roman ideals of confidence and self-assurance, pointing instead to divine power as the source of faith.
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How other translations render this
1CO 2:1
- KJV
- And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
- BSB
- When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
- Koinōnos
- And when I came to you, brothers, I came not with superiority of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
1CO 2:2
- KJV
- For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
- BSB
- For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
- Koinōnos
- For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1CO 2:3
- KJV
- And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
- BSB
- I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
- Koinōnos
- And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.
1CO 2:4
- KJV
- And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
- BSB
- My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spiritʼs power,
- Koinōnos
- And my speech and my proclamation were not in convincing words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power —
1CO 2:5
- KJV
- That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
- BSB
- so that your faith would not rest on menʼs wisdom, but on Godʼs power.
- Koinōnos
- so that your faith might not rest in human wisdom but in the power of God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 2:1
- excellency:The word translated 'excellency' refers to a position of superiority or prominence, often implying a display of power or authority. It suggests a high-standing or preeminence in a particular field.
- of speech:The term used here for 'speech' encompasses not just spoken words, but also the underlying reasoning, message, or discourse. It can refer to the content and structure of an argument, not just the act of speaking.
- mystery:The word translated 'mystery' here actually means 'testimony' or 'proof.' It refers to evidence or a witness's statement that confirms a truth, rather than something hidden or enigmatic.
1CO 2:4
- persuasive:The word translated 'persuasive' implies a rhetorical skill designed to convince or win over through clever argumentation and eloquent language. It suggests an appeal to human reason or emotion rather than divine power.