1 Corinthians 2 4

1 Corinthians 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:

1 Corinthians 2:4 nkjv

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

1 Corinthians 2:4 niv

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,

1 Corinthians 2:4 esv

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

1 Corinthians 2:4 nlt

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2 verses

1 Corinthians 2 4 Meaning

The Apostle Paul states that his preaching of the gospel in Corinth did not rely on persuasive human arguments or eloquent speech that originated from worldly wisdom. Instead, the effectiveness and conviction of his message came from the evident display and work of the Holy Spirit and His divine power, ensuring that faith would rest solely on God's demonstration, not human intellectual skill.

1 Corinthians 2 4 Context

First Corinthians 2:4 builds upon Paul's previous statements in chapter 1, where he addresses the Corinthian church's infatuation with human wisdom and eloquence, which had led to divisions. In 1 Cor 1:17, he already stated his commission was not to preach with "eloquent wisdom." In 1 Cor 2:1-3, Paul clarifies his approach when he first arrived in Corinth, emphasizing that he did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom but in weakness, fear, and much trembling, knowing "nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." This verse, 1 Cor 2:4, explains the effect of that deliberate choice: it ensured that the gospel's impact stemmed from God's own dynamic activity through the Holy Spirit and not from human oratorical prowess or intellectual arguments, thus preventing faith from being based on unreliable human abilities (1 Cor 2:5). The broader context of the letter continues to contrast God's wisdom, which appears foolish to the world, with human wisdom. Paul's rejection of persuasive rhetoric was a direct polemic against the high value placed on rhetorical skill (logos sophistikos) and philosophical systems in the Greco-Roman world, particularly prevalent in a sophisticated city like Corinth, where oratorical competitions and displays of intellectual acumen were highly esteemed.

1 Corinthians 2 4 Word analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): Conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding thought of Paul's unadorned approach.
• my speech (ὁ λόγος μου, ho logos mou): Refers to Paul's overall spoken message and teaching. Logos here is not just a single word, but the substance and delivery of his discourse.
• and my preaching (καὶ τὸ κήρυγμά μου, kai to kerygma mou): This specifically denotes the proclamation of the gospel message, the authoritative announcement of good news. Kerygma emphasizes the content and authoritative declaration of the message itself.
• not (οὐκ, ouk): Strong negative, indicating an absolute contrast or rejection.
• with (ἐν, en): Implies the manner or instrument by which something is done.
• persuasive (πειθοῖς, peithois): From peithos, meaning persuasive or enticing words. It suggests humanly crafted, artful, and rhetorical language designed to sway opinion through eloquent presentation rather than intrinsic truth or divine power.
• wisdom (σοφίας, sophias): Worldly, human intellectual skill, philosophical arguments, rhetorical expertise, or clever reasoning, often valuing form over substance or perceived depth. Distinct from the "wisdom of God" mentioned elsewhere by Paul.
• words (λόγοις, logois): Here, words used in a rhetorical or philosophical context, contrasting with the "logos" that is the divine word itself.
• but (ἀλλ᾽, all'): Strong adversative conjunction, introducing a sharp contrast to the previous clause.
• in (ἐν, en): Again, denotes the sphere, means, or basis.
• demonstration (ἀποδείξει, apodeixei): A powerful term meaning clear proof, undeniable evidence, an outward manifestation or exhibition. It is not mere suggestion or logical deduction but a verifiable, often observable, showing forth. It implies that the Spirit and power were evidenced or made manifest in tangible ways, leading to conviction.
• of the Spirit (πνεύματος, pneumatos): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the divine agent and third person of the Trinity, who inspires, empowers, and convicts.
• and (καὶ, kai): Connects the Spirit and power as co-manifested.
• of power (δυνάμεως, dynameos): Divine inherent power or ability, often manifesting as miracles, spiritual gifts, authoritative utterances, or transformative work in human hearts and lives. It is the efficacy of God at work.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "my speech and my preaching": This phrase encompasses the totality of Paul's communicative efforts regarding the gospel. It shows Paul is referring to both the general content of his message (speech) and its specific proclamation (preaching).
• "not with persuasive words of wisdom": This marks a conscious and radical departure from the prevailing cultural norms of his time. Paul deliberately renounced reliance on sophisticated rhetoric and intellectual arguments common in Greek philosophical and oratorical traditions. He did not seek to appeal to human reason or aesthetic sensibilities for the sake of mere intellectual assent or popular admiration, viewing such methods as inadequate or even detrimental to the gospel's true impact.
• "but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power": This phrase presents the true source and character of Paul's evangelism and the Christian faith itself. The "demonstration" (ἀποδείξει) indicates that the Holy Spirit's presence and God's power were tangibly evident. This could manifest as:
  • Miraculous signs and wonders: confirming the message (as seen in Acts).
  • Transforming lives: showing the inward work of grace, changing hearts and actions.
  • Divine conviction: leading listeners to understand and believe truths they could not have grasped through mere human logic or eloquence.The conjunction of "Spirit" and "power" underscores that the power is a manifestation of the Spirit, actively confirming God's truth and sovereignty.

1 Corinthians 2 4 Bonus section

• The term apodeixis (demonstration) carries forensic connotations, implying conclusive proof that silences opposition or doubt, making the truth undeniable. It contrasts sharply with "persuasive words" (peithois logois), which merely aim to induce belief without necessary evidence.
• Paul's approach was revolutionary and counter-cultural. While Greek rhetors perfected persuasive techniques, Paul willingly embraced what might have appeared weak or unimpressive by worldly standards, precisely because it magnified God's strength and sovereignty.
• This verse highlights the inseparable connection between the proclamation of the word and the operation of the Holy Spirit and divine power in genuine Christian ministry. It implies that true conversions are not merely intellectual assents to arguments, but spiritual births facilitated by God's own working.
• The tension between "worldly wisdom" and "divine power" is a recurring theme in 1 Corinthians, central to Paul's pastoral strategy in correcting the Corinthians' pride and factionalism rooted in their admiration of human leadership and intellectual prowess.

1 Corinthians 2 4 Commentary

Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 2:4 serves as a foundational statement regarding the method and efficacy of gospel proclamation. He explicitly disavowed the oratorical flourishes and intellectual sophistry highly valued in his contemporary Greek culture, especially in a city like Corinth. His choice was deliberate: to prevent faith from resting on the fleeting persuasions of human genius or eloquent argumentation. Instead, he presented the gospel in a manner that allowed the intrinsic, verifiable power of God, actively demonstrated through the Holy Spirit, to be the sole cause of conviction and belief. This "demonstration of the Spirit and of power" ensured that belief was rooted in God's divine action, making faith genuinely dependent on Him, rather than on the appealing rhetoric of a preacher or the intellectual superiority of a philosophical system. The transformative impact of the gospel, whether through changed lives, spiritual discernment, or divine signs, provided the irrefutable evidence that its origin and efficacy were from God alone. This focus shifted glory away from man and firmly onto God.