What Does 1 Corinthians 2:4 Mean?

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

1 Corinthians 2:4(NASB)

Verse of the Day

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength, and when Paul proclaimed the gospel message it was not some convincing figment of man's imagination.. designed to tickle itching ears, nor was it a persuasive proclamation that was founded on worldly words of human wisdom.

The message that Paul delivered was a demonstration of the power of God as the Holy Spirit worked through him, causing a spiritual stirring in the hearts and minds of those that heard his healing words of truth, which brought them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul was a highly educated and well-respected man who was well versed in the Law and the prophets, having been taught by the best rabbinical teacher of the time. But he did not come proclaiming the testimony of God with clever words nor did he bamboozle them with superiority of speech.

His message and his preaching was delivered by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit as Paul submitted to God's leading and guidance in the words he said, the message he spoke, the acts he carried out and a heart that rested in Christ. He did not rely on his own worldly wisdom.. his intellectual capacity or charismatic personality. Paul relied on God alone and delivered the message of the cross which is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For in His grace God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He has chosen you and He has chosen me to be ministers of the new covenant, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world.. while in His grace He has seated us together with Christ in heavenly places to be His ambassadors on earth as we proclaim the good news of the glorious gospel of grace.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You gave to Paul and Your other apostles the message of the cross, which is the greatest demonstration of the Spirit and of power, for it saved a wretch like me. Thank You that salvation does not necessitate worldly wisdom, but comes through the message of the cross. Praise Your holy name, AMEN.

Choose a Verse from 1 Corinthians 2