Commentary: 1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2

Vs. 1 Paul is reminding them of the time when he first came to town and shared the Good News of Christ. It was most likely the very first time these Corinthians, whether Jew or Gentile, had heard of Jesus and the plan of salvation He provides. It’s interesting to hear Paul’s own evaluation of his preaching. Even though this was a brilliant intellect, he admits that his speech was neither eloquent or deep. It was simple. I’m reminded of Billy Graham’s preaching. He keeps it very simple.

And Paul also is contrasting his presentation of the Gospel with the sophistication of the Greek philosophers to prove a point that is coming. See vss. 3-5. The point being that ultimately it is not our persuasiveness or knowledge that brings people to Christ. It is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Vs. 2 During that initial visit to Corinth, Paul was single-minded; focused on only one thing. These people needed salvation. So the Gospel was the only thing he spoke of when he taught or conversed with them. The eternity of lost souls deserves our concentration. It’s easy to get off track. There is a great lesson here for those involved in planting churches. Seek to reach lost people. Plow new ground.

Vs. 3 Paul was timid and shy when he first preached to them to the point that he physically trembled. That’s hard to imagine, esp. when reading his letters. So it makes vss. 4 and 5 even more powerful. Who is attracted to a message given by Barney Fife that is supposed to be life altering?

Vs. 5 But because the Corinthians believed in spite of Paul’s lack of charisma and persuasiveness, it could not be said that they were merely won over by him. If anything, Paul’s efforts should have been seen as non-attractive. So it makes me wonder.

It’s not as though Paul intentionally lacked charisma and charm. That would have been phony and hypocritical on his part. He was being himself while at the same time being useful in the “hands” of the Spirit. The power to convert lost people to saved isn’t ours; it’s His alone. We’re just tools. And He can use any of us; even the most unlikely.

Vs. 6 Know your audience! Paul makes it clear that his teaching to those he knew to be mature in the faith was at a deeper spiritual level that when talking to immature or carnal believers. One of the challenges for church leaders is recognizing that the church is a family, and that includes everyone from spiritual infants who need milk to rebellious “youth” who need correction to the mature who crave meat. It also requires finding the right balance when speaking to every group at once in a worship gathering.

Those who think Sunday (or whatever day) worship sermons should only be in-depth are expressing their own selfishness. There needs to be something there for everyone. If your teaching is too shallow or always corrective or like a seminary class, you’ll constantly be losing those who lose interest.

On the other hand, church leaders need to design and offer opportunities for teaching at every level for that level.

It’s interesting that Paul knew who in Corinth was carnal and immature, and who was mature! In today’s culture someone would complain that he was “judging”. And they’re right! But as we’ll see in vs. 15 as well as chapters 5 and 6 (as well as lots of other places in Scripture) there is a place for making judgments.

Vss. 7-11 The wisdom Paul spoke was not humanly devised nor could it be humanly understood. The Gospel it was spiritual – from God’s Spirit – and apart from God’s Spirit indwelling the listener understanding is impossible. People who say, “I tried reading the Bible, but it didn’t make sense” are telling the truth. But a believer, even the youngest in the faith, is given “spiritual ears” to hear it’s truth. That doesn’t mean a baby Christian can suddenly understand all the mysteries of God, but he/she can be on the way.

The greatest “mystery” that escapes mankind is that God became a man and died a criminal’s death on the behalf of sinners. Our human nature wants to think we can find a way to save ourselves. Had they known it, Paul says they wouldn’t have crucified Him.

Vs. 12 Here’s a simple refutation to those who teach that the reception of the Holy Spirit is a second and later work of grace in a believer’s heart. Paul clearly says to the Corinthians (and in vs. 10) that “we” possess the Holy Spirit. No mention was made of “some” of us. Every believer in Jesus is indwelt by His Spirit.

Vs. 13 One of the benefits of being indwelt by the Spirit is His communication with us of the things of God. We read/hear the Word and He “teaches” it to us – that is that He makes it make sense and urges us to not only understand it, but live it out.

Vs. 14 So the “natural” (as in contrast to the “spiritual” person who possesses the Spirit) can’t grasp spiritual truth except perhaps at a very basic level common to all men. Compare this to Romans 1:18-20.

Vs. 15 Christians, because they have knowledge available to them from God should be making the right judgments about life every day. Some things are wrong. Some are right. There are absolutes in this world, and believers are given the ability to judge between them. At the same time, our accountability is ultimately to God. He is our judge. The world’s judgment of a Christian truly living a Christ-like life isn’t valid. This means we should live a life concerned with pleasing God and God alone.

Vs. 16 Here’s why we as believers are without excuse if we choose not to live based on the Word of God and the Spirit’s leading: we have the mind of Christ. Paul doesn’t say, “One day, when we see Him, we’ll be able to discern right from wrong”. He says that ability is ours now. Does that make us perfect? No, because even though we can know His mind, we still live in an imperfect body, with its imperfect cravings and cavings.

So, when the question is asked, “What would Jesus do”, we should be able to come up with a good answer.