1 Corinthians 2 · Verse 1

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.
1 Corinthians 2:1, King James Version

1 Corinthians 2:1 in other translations

BSBWhen I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
WEBWhen I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
ASVAnd I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
YLTAnd I, having come unto you, brethren, came--not in superiority of discourse or wisdom--declaring to you the testimony of God,
DARBYAnd I, when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.
BBEAnd when I came to you, my brothers, I did not come with wise words of knowledge, putting before you the secret of God.
WebsterAnd I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellence of speech, or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.

What does 1 Corinthians 2:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
1Co 2:1-16. Paul's Subject of Preaching, Christ Crucified, Not in Worldly, but in Heavenly, Wisdom among the Perfect. 1. And I--"So I" [Conybeare] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (1Co 1:27, 28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (1Co 1:31). Compare 1Co 1:23, "We." when I came--(Ac 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which Strabo preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubtless, he read the Cilician Aratus' poems (which he quotes, Ac 17:28), and Epimenides (Tit 1:12), and Menander (1Co 15:33). Grecian intellectual development was an important element in preparing the way for the Gospel, but it failed to regenerate the world, showing that for this a superhuman power is needed. Hellenistic (Grecizing) Judaism at Tarsus and Alexandria was the connecting link between the schools of Athens and those of the Rabbis. No more fitting birthplace could there have been for the apostle of the Gentiles than Tarsus, free as it was from the warping influences of Rome, Alexandria, and Athens. He had at the same time Roman citizenship, which protected him from sudden violence. Again, he was reared in the Hebrew divine law at Jerusalem. Thus, as the three elements, Greek cultivation, Roman polity (Lu 2:1), and the divine law given to the Jews, combined just at Christ's time, to prepare the world for the Gospel, so the same three, by God's marvellous providence, met together in the apostle to the Gentiles [Conybeare and Howson]. testimony of God--"the testimony of Christ" (1Co 1:6); therefore Christ is God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
1st Corinthians Chapter II

THE design of this chapter is the same as the concluding part of 1Cor 1:17-31, to show that the gospel does not depend for its success on human wisdom, or the philosophy of men. This position the apostle further confirms,

(1.) 1Cor 2:1-5, by a reference to his own example, as having been successful among them, and yet not endowed with the graces of elocution, or by a commanding address; yet,

(2.) lest it should be thought that the gospel was real folly, and should be contemned, he shows in the remainder of the chapter, 1Cor 2:6-16, that it contained true wisdom; that it was a profound scheme--rejected, indeed, by the men of the world, but see to be wise by those who were made acquainted with its real nature and value, 1Cor 2:5-16.

The first division of the chapter 1Cor 2:1-5 is a continuation of the argument to show that the success of the gospel does not depend on human wisdom or philosophy. This he proves,

(1.) by the fact that when he was among them, though his preaching was attended with success, yet he did not come with the attractions of human eloquence, 1Cor 2:1.

(2.) This was in accordance with his purpose, not designing to attempt anything like that, but having another object, 1Cor 1:2.

(3.) In fact, he had not evinced that, but the contrary, 1Cor 2:3,4.

(4.) His design was that their conversion should not appear to have been wrought by human wisdom or eloquence, but to have been manifestly the work of God, 1Cor 2:5.

Verse 1. And I, brethren. Keeping up the tender and affectionate style of address.

When I came to you. When I came at first to preach the gospel at Corinth, Acts 18:1, etc.

Came not with excellency of speech. Came not with graceful and attractive eloquence. The apostle here evidently alludes to that nice and studied choice of language, to those gracefully formed sentences, and to that skill of arrangement in discourse and argument, which was so much and object of regard with the Greek rhetoricians. It is probable that Paul was never much distinguished for these, (comp. 2Cor 10:10) and it is certain he never made them an object of intense study and solicitude. Comp. 1Cor 2:4,13.

Or of wisdom. Of the wisdom of this world; of that kind of wisdom which was sought and cultivated in Greece.

The testimony of God. The testimony or the witnessing which God has borne to the gospel of Christ by miracles, and by attending it everywhere with his presence and blessing. In 1Cor 1:6, the gospel is called "the testimony of Christ;" and here it may either mean the witness which the gospel bears to the true character and plans of God, or the witnessing which God had borne to the gospel by miracles, etc. The gospel contains the testimony of God in regard to his own character and plans; especially in regard to the great plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Several MSS., instead of "testimony of God," here read "the mystery of God." This would accord well with the scope of the argument; but the present reading is probably the correct one. See Mill. The Syriac version has also mystery.

(a) "came not" 1Cor 2:4,13

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The apostle makes an apology for his manner of preaching, 1Cor 2:1. And gives the reason why he adopted that manner, 1Cor 2:2-5. He shows that this preaching, notwithstanding it was not with excellence of human speech or wisdom, yet was the mysterious wisdom of God, which the princes of this world did not know, and which the Spirit of God alone could reveal, 1Cor 2:6-10. It is the Spirit of God only that can reveal the things of God, 1Cor 2:11. The apostles of Christ know the things of God by the Spirit of God, and teach them, not in the words of man's wisdom, but in the words of that Spirit, 1Cor 2:12, 1Cor 2:13. The natural man cannot discern the things of the Spirit, 1Cor 2:14. But the spiritual man can discern and teach them, because he has the mind of Christ, 1Cor 2:15, 1Cor 2:16. Verse 1 When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, 1Cor 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's preaching, but not so as to leave out other parts of God's revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God. Few know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient they are, and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word, and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 2:1 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚἀγὼKagōAnd I myselfG1473
ἐλθὼνelthōnhaving comeG2064
πρὸςprostoG4314
ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
ἦλθονēlthoncameG2064
οὐounotG3756
καθ᾽kath᾽according toG2596
ὑπεροχὴνhuperochēnexcellencyG5247
λόγουlogouof speechG3056
ἢēorG2228
σοφίαςsophiaswisdomG4678
καταγγέλλωνkatangellōnproclaimingG2605
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
τὸtotheG3588
μυστήριονmustērionmysteryG3466
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ.theouof God.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 2:1

  • 1 Corinthians 1:17

    For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:13

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:4

    And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

  • Exodus 4:10

    And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

  • Romans 16:18

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • 2 Timothy 1:8

    Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

  • 1 John 5:11-13

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

  • Jeremiah 1:6-7

    Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:6

    But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

  • Acts 18:1-4

    After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

  • Acts 22:18

    And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 He declares that his preaching, though it bring not excellency of speech, or of human wisdom, yet consists in the power of God;
6 and so far excels the wisdom of this world, and human sense, that the natural man cannot understand it.

when.
Ac 18:1-4
with.
4,13; 1:17; Ex 4:10; Jer 1:6,7; Ro 16:18; 2Co 10:10; 11:6
the testimony.
1:6; Isa 8:20; Ac 20:21; 22:18; 2Th 1:10; 1Ti 1:11; 2Ti 1:8
1Jo 4:14; 5:11-13; Re 1:2,9; 19:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:2

    For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		ASÍ que, hermanos, cuando fuí á vosotros, no fuí con altivez de palabra, ó de sabiduría, á anunciaros el testimonio de Cristo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et moi-même, quand je suis allé auprès de vous, frères, je ne suis pas allé avec excellence de parole ou de sagesse, en vous annonçant le témoignage de Dieu;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und ich, als ich zu euch kam, Brüder, kam nicht nach Vortrefflichkeit der Rede oder Weisheit, euch das Zeugnis Gottes verkündigend.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et ego, cum venissem ad vos, fratres, veni non in sublimitate sermonis, aut sapientiæ, annuntians vobis testimonium Christi.