Skip to scripture

1 Corinthians 2

Paul recalls coming to Corinth in weakness, relying not on eloquent wisdom but on the Spirit's power. He teaches that God reveals deep truths through the Spirit—the natural person cannot understand spiritual things. We have the mind of Christ.

1

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

2

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

3

I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

4

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

5

so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

6

Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

8

None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9

Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Isaiah 64:4Direct Quote

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard — God has prepared for those who love him

From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Read Isaiah 64
10

But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

11

For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

12

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

13

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

14

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15

The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

16

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Isaiah 40:13Direct Quote

Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?

Read Isaiah 40

Have a question about 1 Corinthians 2?

On Doxa, you can have a personal conversation about any scripture. Ask questions, explore context, and discover connections.

?

What does "wisdom" mean in 1 Corinthians 2?

?

How does 1 Corinthians 2 connect to the rest of the Bible?

?

Why is this chapter important for my life?

Real stories about these themes

Read testimonies from real people connected to what you're reading.

Explore Related Topics

Engage with 1 Corinthians 2 in a fresh way

On the Doxa App you can have a personal interaction about any Scripture. Ask questions and even debate.