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1 Corinthians 2

BSB·16 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1When I cameἐλθὼνelthōn — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, I did not comeἦλθονēlthon — to come, go, arrive, or appearG2064 — Full Word Study → withκαθ’kath’ — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → eloquenceὑπεροχὴνhyperochēn — Authority, supremacy, or superiorityG5247 — Full Word Study → orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → wisdomσοφίαςsophias — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study → as I proclaimed to youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → testimonyμαρτύριονmartyrion — testimony, witness, evidence of truthG3142 — Full Word Study → about GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 2Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → I resolvedἔκρινάekrina — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → to knowεἰδέναιeidenai — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → nothingοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → while I was with youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → exceptεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦνIēsoun — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστὸνChriston — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → Himτοῦτονtouton — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → crucifiedἐσταυρωμένονestaurōmenon — to crucify; to execute by crucifixionG4717 — Full Word Study →. 3Iκἀγὼkagō — And I; I also; even IG2504 — Full Word Study → cameἐγενόμηνegenomēn — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → weaknessἀσθενείᾳastheneia — Physical weakness, infirmity, or sicknessG769 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → fearφόβῳphobō — Fear, terror, or reverent aweG5401 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → muchπολλῷpollō — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → tremblingτρόμῳtromō — trembling, quaking, fear-induced shakingG5156 — Full Word Study →. 4Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → messageλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → preachingκήρυγμάkērygma — The proclamation or message of the GospelG2782 — Full Word Study → were not withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → persuasiveπειθοῖςpeithois — persuasive, enticing in speechG3981 — Full Word Study → wordsλόγοιςlogois — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → of wisdomσοφίαςsophias — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → a demonstrationἀποδείξειapodeixei — Convincing proof or demonstrationG585 — Full Word Study → of the Spirit’s powerδυνάμεωςdynameōs — Power, strength, ability, or mighty workG1411 — Full Word Study →, 5so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → faithπίστιςpistis — Trust, belief, confidence in GodG4102 — Full Word Study → would not restē — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → onἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → men’sἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → wisdomσοφίᾳsophia — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → onἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → powerδυνάμειdynamei — Power, strength, ability, or mighty workG1411 — Full Word Study →. 6Amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → matureτελείοιςteleiois — Complete, mature, fully developedG5046 — Full Word Study →, howeverδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, we speak a messageλαλοῦμενlaloumen — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → of wisdomΣοφίανSophian — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → the wisdom of thisτούτουtoutou — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → ageαἰῶνοςaiōnos — An age, era, or eternal period of timeG165 — Full Word Study → or of theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → rulersἀρχόντωνarchontōn — ruler, chief, magistrate, or one in authorityG758 — Full Word Study → of thisτούτουtoutou — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → ageαἰῶνοςaiōnos — An age, era, or eternal period of timeG165 — Full Word Study →, whoτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → are coming to nothingκαταργουμένωνkatargoumenōn — to abolish, nullify, or render ineffectiveG2673 — Full Word Study →. 7Noἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, we speak ofλαλοῦμενlaloumen — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → the mysterious and hidden wisdomσοφίανsophian — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, whichἣνhēn — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → He destinedπροώρισενproōrisen — to predestine, foreordain, or determine beforehandG4309 — Full Word Study → forεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → gloryδόξανdoxan — Radiant honor, splendor, or divine brightnessG1391 — Full Word Study → beforeπρὸpro — before (in time or place)G4253 — Full Word Study → time began. 8Noneοὐδεὶςoudeis — no one, nothing, none at allG3762 — Full Word Study → of theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → rulersἀρχόντωνarchontōn — ruler, chief, magistrate, or one in authorityG758 — Full Word Study → of thisτούτουtoutou — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → ageαἰῶνοςaiōnos — An age, era, or eternal period of timeG165 — Full Word Study → understoodἔγνωκενegnōken — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → it. Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → they hadἔγνωσανegnōsan — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study →, they would not have crucifiedἐσταύρωσανestaurōsan — to crucify; to execute by crucifixionG4717 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριονKyrion — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → of gloryδόξηςdoxēs — Radiant honor, splendor, or divine brightnessG1391 — Full Word Study →. 9Ratherἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → it is writtenγέγραπταιgegraptai — to write or compose in written formG1125 — Full Word Study →: “Noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → eyeὀφθαλμὸςophthalmos — Eye; sight; vision; spiritual perceptionG3788 — Full Word Study → has seenεἶδενeiden — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study →, noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → earοὖςous — The physical organ of hearing; an earG3775 — Full Word Study → has heardἤκουσενēkousen — to hear, listen, or understand by earG191 — Full Word Study →, noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → heartκαρδίανkardian — heart; center of emotion, will, and moral characterG2588 — Full Word Study → has imaginedἀνέβηanebē — to go up, ascend, climbG305 — Full Word Study →, whatὅσαhosa — as much as; how much; all that; to the extent thatG3745 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has preparedἡτοίμασενhētoimasen — To prepare, make ready, arrange beforehandG2090 — Full Word Study → for those whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → loveἀγαπῶσινagapōsin — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →.” 10Butγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has revealed it to usἩμῖνHēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεύματοςPneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study →. TheΤὸTo — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεῦμαPneuma — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → searchesἐραυνᾷerauna — to search, investigate, or examine carefullyG2045 — Full Word Study → all thingsπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →, evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → deep things of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 11Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → whoτίςtis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → among menἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → knowsοἶδενoiden — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → the thoughts of manἀνθρώπουanthrōpou — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → exceptεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → his own spiritπνεῦμαpneuma — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → withinἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →? Soοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → tooκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →, no oneοὐδεὶςoudeis — no one, nothing, none at allG3762 — Full Word Study → knowsἔγνωκενegnōken — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → the thoughts of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → exceptεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεῦμαPneuma — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 12Weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → have not receivedἐλάβομενelabomen — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → spiritπνεῦμαpneuma — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → worldκόσμουkosmou — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → who is fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → we may understandεἰδῶμενeidōmen — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → whatτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → has freely givenχαρισθένταcharisthenta — to give graciously; to forgive freelyG5483 — Full Word Study → usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →. 13Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → this is what we speak, notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → wordsλόγοιςlogois — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → taught us by humanἀνθρωπίνηςanthrōpinēs — Pertaining to human nature or mankindG442 — Full Word Study → wisdomσοφίαςsophias — Wisdom; divine insight and practical understandingG4678 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → in words taughtδιδακτοῖςdidaktois — taught; instructed by teachingG1318 — Full Word Study → by the Spirit, expressingσυνκρίνοντεςsynkrinontes — to compare, combine, or explain togetherG4793 — Full Word Study → spiritual truthsπνευματικὰpneumatika — Spiritual; of or pertaining to the SpiritG4152 — Full Word Study → in spiritual words. 14The natural manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → does not acceptδέχεταιdechetai — to receive or accept willinglyG1209 — Full Word Study → the things thatτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → come from theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεύματοςPneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → they areἐστίνestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → foolishnessμωρίαmōria — foolishness, senselessness, lack of wisdomG3472 — Full Word Study → to himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → he cannotδύναταιdynatai — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → understand them, becauseὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → they are spiritually discernedἀνακρίνεταιanakrinetai — To examine, interrogate, or investigate thoroughlyG350 — Full Word Study →. 15Theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → spiritual man judgesἀνακρίνειanakrinei — To examine, interrogate, or investigate thoroughlyG350 — Full Word Study → all thingsπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → he himselfαὐτὸςautos — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → is not subject to anyone’s judgmentἀνακρίνεταιanakrinetai — To examine, interrogate, or investigate thoroughlyG350 — Full Word Study →. 16Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → whoΤίςTis — Who? What? Which? (interrogative pronoun)G5101 — Full Word Study → has knownἔγνωegnō — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → the mind of the Lord, so as to instructσυμβιβάσειsymbibasei — to join together, unite, or knit togetherG4822 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →?” Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → weἡμεῖςhēmeis — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → the mind of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Corinthians 2
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul contrasts two fundamentally different approaches to proclaiming the gospel: human wisdom and God's power. After addressing divisions in the Corinthian church caused by worldly standards of leadership, Paul explains that his own ministry deliberately rejected eloquent rhetoric and philosophical sophistication in favor of simple, Spirit-empowered proclamation of Christ crucified. The chapter establishes a critical principle: saving faith must rest upon God's supernatural power, not human intellectual persuasion, and true spiritual understanding comes only through the Holy Spirit's illumination.

Verses 1-5: Rejecting Human Eloquence

Paul opens by reminding the Corinthians that when he first arrived to plant their church, he did not come with impressive speech or worldly wisdom (verses 1-2). Instead, he determined to focus exclusively on one message: Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. This was intentional and radical. In a culture that prized rhetorical skill and philosophical argumentation, Paul stripped away all such ornamentation.

Verses 3-5 reveal Paul's personal vulnerability: he came "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." He did not rely on enticing words or human eloquence but on the "demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The word "demonstration" suggests visible, undeniable proof—miracles, changed lives, and the Spirit's work. Paul's goal was crystal clear: that their faith would rest not in human wisdom but in God's power. This challenges us to ask where our confidence truly lies when we share our faith.

Verses 6-8: God's Hidden Wisdom Revealed

Paul now clarifies an important distinction (verses 6-8). He does speak wisdom, but not the wisdom of this world or its leaders ("princes of this world, that come to nought"). Rather, he proclaims "the wisdom of God in a mystery"—the hidden wisdom ordained before the world's foundation for the glory of believers. The mystery of the gospel was concealed in the Old Testament and now revealed in Christ.

Strikingly, Paul asserts that the world's leaders did not understand God's wisdom; had they truly comprehended God's plan, they would not have crucified "the Lord of glory" (verse 8). This wisdom transcends human calculation and earthly power structures. It overturns worldly values completely.

Verses 9-13: The Spirit's Role in Understanding

Paul quotes Isaiah 64:4 (verse 9) to show that the blessings God has prepared for those who love Him surpass human perception. But here is the good news: God has revealed these things to us by His Spirit (verse 10). The Spirit "searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." Just as only a person's own spirit understands their thoughts, so only God's Spirit comprehends God's mind (verse 11).

Believers, however, have received "the spirit which is of God" so we can know what God has freely given us (verse 12). This is not mysticism but the genuine work of the Holy Spirit illuminating Scripture and truth to the believer's heart. Verse 13 emphasizes that we communicate these spiritual truths not in words human wisdom teaches, but in words the Holy Ghost teaches, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

Verses 14-16: The Spiritual Discernment of Believers

The natural, unregenerate person cannot receive the things of God's Spirit because they seem like foolishness without spiritual discernment (verse 14). But the spiritual person "judgeth all things" (verse 15)—possesses true wisdom—yet remains humble, subject to no man's judgment. Paul concludes by affirming that believers possess "the mind of Christ" (verse 16), enabling us to think God's thoughts after Him.

Application for Today

This passage calls us to trust God's power rather than relying on impressive arguments, credentials, or eloquence when sharing our faith. More importantly, it reminds us that spiritual understanding is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit. As believers, we have the mind of Christ dwelling within us. We should depend on the Spirit's teaching, expect His demonstrations of power in our lives, and confidently assert that the gospel's simplicity—Jesus Christ crucified and risen—contains all the wisdom and power we need.

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