◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 2:5 Mean? ►

Human instinct is to rely on self, but Paul was humbled before the mighty hand of God and quickly learned that the wisdom of the world, which is so prized by men, is foolishness before God. Our physical abilities, human wisdom, and mental capacities, are of no account before the omniscient power of our holy and just God.

So when Paul first arrived in Corinth to preach the Word, he didn't dazzle them with superiority of speech or amaze them with his articulate abilities. Paul did not floor them with persuasive words. But being moved by the Spirit of God, he determined to share nothing... other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified for their sin - and raised unto life eternal, for all who believe.

To emphases how worthless worldly wisdom is, Paul... who was so highly accomplished in every aspect of human wisdom and knowledge, did not come in the power of his own academic abilities and articulate excellence. Paul came to them in weakness, in fear, and with much trembling.

The Lord Jesus laid aside His heavenly glory to speak only those things that He heard from His Father, and in like manner, Paul set aside his own human accomplishment and oratory skills in order to speak only those things that he received from the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

He wanted to show that there is a godly wisdom that comes from above and that God's servants should speak only those things that come from Him - a hidden wisdom that is unavailable to the world - heavenly truths that are only unveiled to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was keen that these Corinthian Christians... and all who would follow them in the faith, would not be enticed to build their faith on the smooth-sounding, persuasive words of worldly wisdom or the eloquent rhetoric of some great orator - as was the practice of those days.

The plain message of the gospel of Christ was simple and straightforward so that the faith of these Christians, and those that would follow, would not be founded on the wisdom of men - but on the power of God.

Paul knew that the wisdom of God appeared to be foolishness to the world... but that did not prevent Paul from maintaining his dependence upon the power and wisdom of God, and his willing subjugation to the Lord's authority in his life - as he shared the simple gospel message.

Paul's message may have been unimpressive from a human perspective, but the message of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes... and Jesus Himself promised... that if HE was lifted up... and the gospel of God was spread abroad... the Spirit of God would draw all men to the Lord Jesus.

The salvation of another person's soul is not dependent on US... or the impressive words we use. We are simply called to preach the Word and to tell the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ. It is not our responsibility to 'save' someone. Salvation is the responsibility of the convicting work of the Holy Ghost in their lives. However, we who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, do have a responsibility to share the good news with others - as led by the Holy Spirit, so that their faith and ours does not rest on man's wisdom but on the power of God - alone.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times that I have sought to do things in my own strength or tried to use my own powers of persuasion to lead others to Christ. Help me to share the truth of the gospel of grace, simply and truthfully, as led by the Spirit of God, so that my faith and theirs may be founded on the truth and not influenced by worldly rhetoric, to Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.