Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:1

What does 1 Corinthians 2:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:1 means

Paul reminds the Corinthians that when he first arrived, he did not rely on polished rhetoric or the philosophical display admired in their culture. He chose not to impress by technique but to deliver “the testimony of God.” His aim was clarity about God’s saving message, not applause for eloquent speech. By refusing the methods that win human admiration, he guarded the gospel from being mistaken for one more clever system among many. The power lay in the message itself—that God has acted in Christ—so Paul’s manner intentionally kept the spotlight on God’s witness rather than on the messenger’s skill or reputation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when I came to you, my brothers, I did not come with wise words of knowledge, putting before you the secret of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I, having come unto you, brethren, came--not in superiority of discourse or wisdom--declaring to you the testimony of God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I, when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony ofGod.

Context

This opening verse begins Paul’s corrective to a church tempted by human showmanship and party spirit. After contrasting God’s wisdom with the world’s (chapter 1), Paul now illustrates it with his own approach. Verse 1 sets the tone: method must fit message. Verses 2–5 will unpack this choice—Christ crucified at the center, weakness embraced, power shown by the Spirit so faith rests on God. Then verses 6–16 will explain there is a true, deeper wisdom, but it is spiritual and revealed, not performed.

v.1This passage

v.2For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:6

    even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:4

    And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:13

    Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words.

  • 1 John 4:14

    And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.

  • 1 Timothy 1:11

    according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

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