1 Corinthians 2

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, 1 x did not come proclaiming to you y the testimony 2 of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except z Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And a I was with you b in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of c the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but d in the power of God.

Wisdom from the Spirit

6 Yet among e the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not f a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, g who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, h which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of i the rulers of this age understood this, for j if they had, they would not have crucified k the Lord of glory.

9 But, as it is written,
l "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has m prepared n for those who love him" -

10 these things o God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even p the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts q except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now r we have received not s the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this t in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, u interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 3

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are v folly to him, and w he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The x spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 y "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But z we have the mind of Christ.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:4
    And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
    1 Corinthians 2:13
    And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
    2 Corinthians 1:12
    For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
    1 Corinthians 1:17
    For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  3. Cross References
    Galatians 6:14
    But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 18:1
    After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
    Acts 18:6
    And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.
    Acts 18:12
    But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:30
    If I must boast, I will boast of the things tha...
    2 Corinthians 12:5
    On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my o...
    2 Corinthians 12:9
    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for ...
    2 Corinthians 13:4
    For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by ...
    2 Corinthians 13:9
    For we are glad when we are weak and you are st...
    Galatians 4:13
    You know it was because of a bodily ailment tha...
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:20
    For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
    Romans 15:13
    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
    Romans 15:19
    By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God - so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 1:5
    Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
    2 Peter 1:16
    For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:7
    But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
    Zechariah 4:6
    Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
    2 Corinthians 12:9
    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
  8. Cross References
    Philippians 3:15
    Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
    1 Corinthians 3:1
    But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
  9. Cross References
    James 3:15
    This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:28
    God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 16:25 - 26
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
    Ephesians 3:5
    Which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
    Ephesians 3:9
    And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
    Colossians 1:26
    The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
    2 Timothy 1:9
    Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 13:27
    For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
    Luke 24:20
    And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 3:17
    And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
  14. Cross References
    James 2:1
    My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
    Psalms 24:7 - 10
    Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
    Acts 7:2
    And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.
  15. Cross References
    Isaiah 64:4
    From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 25:34
    Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
  17. Cross References
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 16:17
    And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon...
    Galatians 1:12
    For I did not receive it from any man, nor was ...
    Galatians 1:16
    Was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order t...
    Ephesians 3:3
    How the mystery was made known to me by revelat...
    Ephesians 3:5
    Which was not made known to the sons of men in ...
    John 14:26
    But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Fathe...
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 2:24
    But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:27
    The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 8:15
    For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!
  22. Cross References
    1 John 4:4
    Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:1
    And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
    1 Corinthians 2:4
    And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
    1 Corinthians 1:17
    For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
  24. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:12
    Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
  25. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 8:7
    For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:1
    But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
    1 Corinthians 14:37
    If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
    Galatians 6:1
    Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
    Proverbs 28:5
    Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
  28. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:13
    Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?
    Romans 11:34
    "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
  29. Cross References
    John 15:15
    No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
  30. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:13
    Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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