1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστις
faith
G4102
πίστις
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
3 of 13
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 13
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ᾖ
should
G5600
ᾖ
should
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
6 of 13
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.2 Corinthians 6:7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.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.Acts 16:14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.1 Corinthians 3:6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church's later problems—divisions over teachers (1:12), denial of resurrection (15:12), tolerance of immorality (5:1-2)—all stemmed from trusting human reasoning over divine revelation. Corinth's philosophical culture encouraged evaluating messages by speaker eloquence rather than content. Paul's insistence on divine power as faith's foundation addressed this root issue. The contrast between wisdom and power reflects Hebrew thought: God's ways transcend human calculation (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you audit whether your faith rests on God's power or on persuasive arguments you've heard?
- What happens to faith when it's based on a teacher's charisma and that teacher falls into scandal?
- Why must Christianity ultimately appeal to God's demonstrated power (especially resurrection) rather than philosophical coherence alone?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Paul reveals his methodological purpose: pistis (πίστις, "faith") must rest (ē, ᾖ, "might be/stand") on divine rather than human foundation. The term sophia anthrōpōn (σοφία ἀνθρώπων, "wisdom of men") encompasses all human intellectual systems, philosophical traditions, and rhetorical persuasion. Against this stands dynamis theou (δύναμις θεοῦ, "power of God")—the resurrection power that conquered death (Romans 1:4).
Faith grounded in human wisdom is fragile: philosophical fashions change, arguments get refuted, teachers fall. But faith resting on God's demonstrated power—supremely in Christ's resurrection—stands unshakable. This explains why apostolic preaching focused on eyewitness resurrection testimony (Acts 2:32, 3:15, 4:20). Paul's concern anticipates later Corinthian problems: when Christians trust impressive teachers rather than God's revealed truth, they become vulnerable to doctrinal error (see the "super-apostles" of 2 Corinthians 11:5).