1 Corinthians 2:1
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
Original Language Analysis
Κἀγὼ
And I
G2504
Κἀγὼ
And I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
1 of 18
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
ἦλθον
came
G2064
ἦλθον
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 18
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 18
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἦλθον
came
G2064
ἦλθον
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καθ'
with
G2596
καθ'
with
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὑπεροχὴν
excellency
G5247
ὑπεροχὴν
excellency
Strong's:
G5247
Word #:
9 of 18
prominence, i.e., (figuratively) superiority (in rank or character)
λόγου
of speech
G3056
λόγου
of speech
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
10 of 18
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτύριον
the testimony
G3142
μαρτύριον
the testimony
Strong's:
G3142
Word #:
16 of 18
something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.1 Corinthians 2:4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:1 Corinthians 2:13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.Exodus 4:10And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.2 Timothy 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Historical Context
Paul first visited Corinth around 50-51 AD during his second missionary journey (Acts 18), founding the church through 18 months of ministry. As a major Roman colony and commercial hub, Corinth hosted competing philosophical schools and valued rhetorical sophistication. The church's subsequent divisions along teacher-loyalty lines (1:12) likely reflected this cultural obsession with eloquent leaders. Paul's rejection of rhetorical display directly challenged Corinthian social values.
Questions for Reflection
- How might contemporary Christian culture prioritize persuasive presentation over biblical substance—and how does Paul's example challenge this?
- When have you been tempted to trust a teacher's charisma rather than testing their message against Scripture?
- In what ways does God's "testimony" demand a different communication approach than human philosophies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. Paul explicitly rejects hyperochē logou (ὑπεροχῇ λόγου, "superiority of speech")—the rhetorical flourishes prized in Greco-Roman oratory. Corinth was steeped in sophistic culture where traveling philosophers competed for followers through eloquence. Paul's refusal to employ such tactics was strategic: the testimony of God (martyrion tou theou, μαρτύριον τοῦ θεοῦ) must rest on divine authority, not human persuasion.
This verse establishes the foundational contrast between worldly wisdom and Spirit-revealed truth that dominates chapters 1-3. Paul's deliberate weakness in presentation ensures that converts' faith rests on God's power (v. 5), not the messenger's charisma. His approach anticipates 2 Corinthians 10:10 where opponents mock his "contemptible" speech—criticism Paul wears as a badge of gospel fidelity.