1 Corinthians 2
16 verses
Paul's own apostolic method embodies the gospel's reversal: he arrived at Corinth not with eloquence or human wisdom but in weakness and trembling, determined to know nothing except Christ and him crucified, and his speech relied not on persuasive words of human wisdom but on demonstration of the Spirit and power. The Corinthians' own experience—the Spirit's witness among them—is the proof, not rhetorical mastery or philosophical credentials. Paul contrasts this with the hidden wisdom of God decreed before the ages for their glory, a wisdom that the rulers of this age failed to grasp; had they understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God, revealing mysteries to those who love him, and the natural person (psychikos) cannot accept the things of the Spirit—they appear foolish—but the spiritual person judges all things while being judged by no one, for we have the mind of Christ.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
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.
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2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. ...
3
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
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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:
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5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emp...
6
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
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7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
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8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
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9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
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10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
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11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
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12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
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13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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14
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.
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15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
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16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
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