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1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Paul explains how he first brought the gospel to Corinth and why his message did not depend on polished speech. He points the church to Christ crucified, then contrasts human wisdom with the wisdom God reveals by the Spirit.

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What happens in 1 Corinthians 2?

Paul reminds the Corinthians that when he came to them, he relied on weakness rather than impressive words, so their faith would rest on God's power. He centers his message on Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. He then contrasts worldly wisdom with God's hidden wisdom, planned before time and not recognized by the rulers of the age. This wisdom is now revealed through the Spirit, who helps believers understand what God has given. The chapter closes by saying spiritual things are discerned spiritually and that believers share the mind of Christ.

This chapter follows Paul's opening correction of division and pride in the Corinthian church. It continues his concern that the church not measure truth by status, skill, or public style. Chapter 2 strengthens the case that the gospel stands on God's power, not human ability, and prepares for Paul's later teaching about spiritual maturity and church life.

Themes to notice

  • Christ crucifiedPaul keeps the focus on Jesus and His cross as the center of the gospel message.
  • God's wisdomWhat God reveals runs deeper than the wisdom of the age and its leaders.
  • The Spirit's workThe Holy Spirit makes God's truth known and helps believers understand it.

Questions for 1 Corinthians 2

  • Why does Paul stress that he did not rely on eloquence or human wisdom when he preached in Corinth?
  • How does this chapter contrast the wisdom of the world with the wisdom God reveals?
  • What does it mean that believers have the mind of Christ?

Read the full text of 1 Corinthians 2 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Corinthians 2

Paul’s Message by the Spirit’s Power

1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.4My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,5so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Spiritual Wisdom

6Among 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.7No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.8None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9Rather, 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.”

10But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.11For 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.12We 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.13And 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.14The 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.15The 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.

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