1Cor 2:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 2:1-5: 2:1-5 God’s sovereign work made Paul’s preaching effective. In his evangelism, Paul did not rely on the persuasive power of his intellect or his dynamic personality, but on the power of the Holy Spirit (see also study note on 1:18-31). 2:1 When I first came to you: See Acts 18:1-17 . lofty words and impressive wisdom: Human wisdom and philosophy don’t bring people to Christ (see 1 Cor 1:17 , 21 ; 2:2 ). The message of the cross has its own power to convert the human heart (see 1:17 ; Rom 1:16 ; Gal 6:14 ). • God’s secret plan: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.

a2:1-5►

b2:1►

cActs 18:1-17►

d1 Cor 1:17►

e21►

f2:2►

g1:17►

hRom 1:16►

iGal 6:14►

j2:3-4►

k2 Cor 12:7-10►

l2 Cor 10:10►

‏ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Summary for 1Cor 2:1-5: 2:1-5 ^a God’s sovereign work made Paul’s preaching effective. In his evangelism, Paul did not rely on the persuasive power of his intellect or his dynamic personality, but on the power of the Holy Spirit (see also study note on 1:18-31). 2:1 ^b When I first came to you: See Acts 18:1-17 ^c. lofty words and impressive wisdom: Human wisdom and philosophy don’t bring people to Christ (see 1 Cor 1:17 ^d, 21 ^e; 2:2 ^f). The message of the cross has its own power to convert the human heart (see 1:17 ^g; Rom 1:16 ^h; Gal 6:14 ⁱ).

• God’s secret plan: See study note on 1 Cor 2:7.
Summary for 1Cor 2:3-4: 2:3-4 ^j Human weakness is no barrier to God’s work (2 Cor 12:7-10 ^k). The real power is not in charismatic preaching, finesse of presentation, or logical persuasiveness (cp. 2 Cor 10:10 ^l), but in the message itself, centered on Christ and his death for our sins, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, who convicts the human heart.