Christ Crucified

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

First-century citizens of the Roman Empire prized eloquent, persuasive rhetoric, often placing the speaker’s ability of skilled phrasing over the content of the subject orated. The Corinthian Christians were the same way with their factionalism based on choosing well-spoken believers above others. In the first lines of his letter, Paul contrasts the supposed strength of eloquent speech with the apparent weakness of the cross. But eternal life comes through the truth of the cross, which is the power of God unto salvation even when it is preached plainly. Paul stresses this point again in today’s passage. He has already stated that not many of the Corinthian believers were wise according to worldly standards, so, they would not have been master rhetoricians. The Apostle expresses his solidarity with the Corinthian believers in this, as he reminds them that he did not come speaking with lofty words and wisdom. In fact, he focused not on developing skilled speech but rather on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” The point here is not that it is wrong to speak eloquently or to hone one’s speaking skills. Rather, Paul means that he did not focus on his speaking abilities at the expense of the content of the preaching. He placed utmost importance on the truth delivered, not the manner of delivery. Paul unfolded the precious message of who Jesus is and what He has done faithfully but, not in the most eloquent manner. Yet, because he explained Christ accurately, he fulfilled his Apostolic task. A lack of eloquence did not make the message less powerful; nor did the weakness of Paul’s person. The gospel still came to the Corinthians in all power. It had to, for the Word of God always achieves the purposes that God has for it as Isaiah 55:10–11 tells us. Our eloquence does not make God’s Word more powerful even if it is worthwhile to strive to be a good speaker. Moreover, it is good that power is inherent in the Word itself and not in the preacher or his abilities. If it were not in the Word itself, faith and hope might rest in some mere men who preach the Word. Because the power is the Word itself, our faith rests in the author of that Word, the Lord God Almighty. God works through His Word when it is faithfully taught and preached, whether the preacher or teacher is eloquent or not skilled in speech. Thus, whether we are ordained church leaders or we simply communicate the Word to others more informally, our primary goal should be to get the content and meaning of Scripture correct. That requires us to be diligent students of God’s Word. Today is the Lord’s Day. Attend a church to hear the powerful Word of God preached this day that you may receive the power of the Word of God!

Source: S C Ball October 22, 2023