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Priscilla: I Corinthians 2:1-8
Misconceptions about Preaching the Gospel (1)

1 And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with excellency of word or wisdom, declaring to you the Testimony of God.

2 For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and Him having been crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my word and my preaching was not in enticing words of human wisdom, but in proof of the Spirit and of power,

5 that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 But we speak wisdom among the perfect, but not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, those being brought to nothing.

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, having been hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this age has known. For if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer You my reflection on the Word of God in I Corinthians 2:1-8, concerning the misconception about preaching the Gospel.

I understand verse 1 as follows: The Apostle Paul clearly told Your people in the Church of Corinth that his purpose in coming to them was to proclaim Your Gospel. His preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ’s redemptive death was not a high-sounding oratorical display, nor did he rely on the wisdom of the flesh.

I understand verse 2 as follows: The Apostle Paul stood before Your people in the Church of Corinth and spoke nothing but the truth about the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross to redeem mankind from the punishment of sin.

I understand verse 3 as follows: While preaching the Gospel to the people of Corinth, the Apostle Paul was physically weak and in pain. He was fearful and trembling because he was aware of Your presence with him while he was preaching. Perhaps he was afraid that he would not fulfill the task that You had entrusted to him.

I sympathize with the fear and trembling of the Apostle Paul. There was a time when I stood before the Church, preparing to preach the Word of God, and for some reason, I was very afraid and trembling. At that moment, I silently prayed and asked You why I was so afraid. I then heard You say that the place where I was standing was holy and that I should be afraid when preaching the Word of God. From that moment on, I understood that those who have a righteous heart and preach the Word of God correctly will have the presence of God with them when preaching.

I understand verses 4 and 5 as follows: The Apostle Paul said that he did not preach according to the wisdom of the flesh to persuade the listeners according to human wisdom. Instead, his teaching was in accordance with the spirit and power of God. If he had used the wisdom of this world to persuade the listeners, their faith would not have been strong. However, his preaching was done by the spirit of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when the listeners believed, their faith was firmly established in the power of God.

I understand verses 6 and 7 as follows: Paul and his companions did not preach the wisdom of those in power in the world, as it would have been useless. Instead, they preached the Gospel, the wisdom of God in redeeming humanity, which had been predetermined by You. When the time came, it was revealed to those who were chosen. Those who believe in the Gospel become children of God and receive eternal life and glory in heaven.

I understand verse 8 as follows: The rulers of this world are spiritually blinded and do not understand the salvation of the Gospel that God has given to humanity. They do not recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior promised in the Old Testament. Therefore, the rulers of the past crucified the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The rulers of today persecute the people of God.

My beloved Father, I pray that You grant me wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit so that I may proclaim the Gospel with the spirit and power that come from the Triune God. I thank You. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
04/20/2023

Note:

[1] (a) Please note that when the term “spirit” is used without a definite article in Greek to refer to God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, it refers to their mindset and should not be capitalized. (b) If it is used to refer to humans, it refers to the human mindset aligning with God’s. (c) When used with a definite article, it refers to the spiritual essence of either God or humans.