1 Corinthians 2:1-16 | Sermon Resources | 26 October 2025
Summary
Picking up from his emphasis on the power and wisdom of God found in the cross, Paul continues by contrasting his method of proclamation to the “lofty speech” that was popular in Greek culture. Though Paul was in fact a skilled speaker, he didn’t want anything to distract from or compromise the centrality of Christ crucified. He again contrasts worldly wisdom and power with spiritual wisdom and power, which is only revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Questions
- Why doesn’t Paul use the kind of lofty speech that was popular among the Greeks who sought for wisdom?
- Why did Paul not resolve to know anything except Jesus and him crucified?
- What is wrong with coming to Jesus only for health, wealth, wisdom, or power? Can you think of any biblical or modern examples of this?
- What had happened to Paul before he came to Corinth? See Acts 16:19-24; 17:13-14; 17:32.
- Contrast a message you’ve heard that had “plausible words of wisdom” with one that had a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4).
- Do you agree that worldly wisdom draws us to strong, bold men, but apart from the Spirit, we will never be drawn to the cross? What attracted Gandhi and Bonaparte to Jesus? What did they miss?
- Are you ever tempted to replace the substitutionary atonement (Jesus having to die in your place, taking your sins upon himself, and giving you his righteous) with a “nonviolent” atonement? What does that temptation look like in your life?
- Verse 7 says that God’s eternal decree was “for our glory.” What does that mean? See verses 9 and 12, and Revelation 5:9-10.
