When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 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 much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
On Paul’s initial visit to Corinth, he preached the Word in the synagogue, attempting to persuade Jews and Greeks that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 18:4-5). He focused on Christ crucified, the paradoxical core of the Gospel, which embodies God’s wisdom and power (1 Cor. 1:18-25). The "mystery of God" refers to the divine plan of salvation revealed through Christ, particularly through the crucifixion, which appeared as folly to human wisdom but is the means of reconciliation between humanity and God.
Paul’s disposition when he first preached the Gospel reflected his human limitations and his dependence on God. He approached his mission with "weakness, fear, and much trembling," recognizing both the gravity of his task and his role as a steward of the mystery of God (1 Cor. 4:1). This reverent humility underscores his awareness that the success of the Gospel lies not in the skill of the preacher but in the power of the Spirit.
Paul contrasts two approaches to publicly proclaiming the Gospel: one based on human wisdom and rhetorical persuasion, and the other rooted in the Spirit's transformative power. Rejecting the rhetorical techniques and philosophical arguments esteemed in Greek culture, Paul relied instead on the Holy Spirit to convict and transform hearts. While miraculous signs often accompanied his preaching (Acts 14:8-10; Rom. 15:18-19), Paul’s primary focus was on ensuring that faith was firmly grounded in God’s power rather than in human argumentation (1 Cor. 2:4-5).
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to hear and understand Your Word and the power of the cross, which reveals Your wisdom and love. Help us to rely not on our own strength or understanding, but on the transforming power of Your Spirit. Grant us humility, courage, and faith to proclaim Christ crucified in all we do, so that our lives may glorify You. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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