Father,

We proclaim, and rightly so, that your power and majesty is greater far than any earthly king or judge. You, who rule well with a righteous hand, can consume in an instant all matter which no other potentate can boast of doing. We implore you for your wisdom to keep focused on the job ahead of us, as we strive by your mercy to "preach the message of salvation to anyone who will hear." Amen

Key Word: Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

The theme of chapter 1 verse 31 [see lesson 5] is continued here, Paul now speaks about his own witness among the Corinthians. His ministry was not based on worldly wisdom, either in its message (vv. 1,2), method (vv. 3,4), or motive (v. 5). Verse 1 makes the connection. The word excellency means superiority of rhetorical speech making. The testimony of the Gospel is superior enough.

Paul, who studied at the feet of the greatest of rabbinical teachers, could not displace the knowledge he had already received. He decided though that the only important thing the Corinthians needed to see and hear was power in his words and actions concerning Jesus and the cross.

The Greek word here is astheneia (as-then'-i-ah); and it means a physical feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; frailty, disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.

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:

Paul's simple preaching was designed to prevent the Corinthians Christian belief system from resting upon logical and philosophical arguments; a faith at the mercy of other arguments of the same nature. Instead of human persuasion, Paul's method involved the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The word demonstration refers to the producing of proofs of argument in a courtroom.

True faith, however, that stands in the power of God, has a solid and enduring foundation, unlike someone who would use simply mental prowess alone. The new life of the Corinthians was a conclusive proof of God's power in them (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5).

There is much wisdom and maturity in this world. Some wisdom is relevant to things of a non spiritual nature; things we can touch and feel. When we consider the spiritual side of wisdom though, the logical wisdom of the Greeks and the traditional wisdom of the Jews falls far short of the goals and maturity of the Gospel.

Paul now speaks of the origin and fundamental wisdom of God. Its genesis was created by the holy Trinity before the foundation of the world, and was not discovered; it was revealed. Not something mysterious, but a divine secret, truth which is undiscoverable apart from divine revelation.

None of those rulers or princes who were engaged in the crucifixion of Jesus, referring both to the Jewish rulers, and the Roman governor, and soldiers, perceived or appreciated the excellency of his character, the wisdom of his plan, or the glory of his scheme of salvation. Their ignorance arose from not understanding the prophecies, and from an unwillingness to be convinced that Jesus of Nazareth had been truly sent by and from God. Had they seen the hidden wisdom in that plan-had they understood the glory of his real character, they would not have put him to death.

This verse is a particular favorite of mine and one worthy of memorizing. God delights in giving a new slant on things… like colors of flowers [refer to Vivid Flowers in the March issue of Believer’s Bay .com].

This passage is quoted from Isa 64:4. It is not exactly quoted literally; but the idea is truly there. It is evident that Paul had his eye on the passage in Isaiah; and intended to apply it to his present purpose. These words are often applied by commentators and others to the future life, yet they might also apply to the present. Consider these very good reasons:

(1) The first reason is that the passage in Isaiah has no such reference. In that place it is designed clearly to describe the blessed state of those who shared divine favor; and to whom God manifested himself as their friend. That favor is said to be superior to that which people elsewhere enjoy, and found no where else but in God. It is used there, as Paul uses it, to denote the happiness which results from the communication of the divine favor to the soul.