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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:2

Verse 2 2.For I did not reckon it desirable. As κρίνειν, in Greek, has often the same meaning as εκλεγειν, that is to choose out anything as precious, (104) there is, I think, no person of sound judgment but will allow that the rendering that I have given is a probable one, provided only the construction admits of it. At the same time, if we render it thus — “No kind of knowledge did I hold in esteem,” there will be nothing harsh in this rendering. If you understand something to be supplied,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:3

Verse 3 3.And I was with you in weakness He explains at greater length what he had previously touched upon — that he had nothing shining or excellent in him in the eyes of men, to raise him to distinction. He concedes, however, to his adversaries what they desired in such a way as to make those very things which, in their opinion, tended to detract from the credit of his ministry, redound to its highest commendation. If he appeared less worthy of esteem from his being so mean and abject... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:4

Verse 4 4.And my preaching was not in the persuasive words. By the persuasive words of man’s wisdom he means that exquisite oratory which aims and strives rather by artifice than by truth, and also an appearance of refinement, that allures the minds of men. It is not without good reason, too, that he ascribes persuasiveness ( τό πιθάνον) (109) to human wisdom. For the word of the Lord constrains us by its majesty, as if by a violent impulse, to yield obedience to it. Human wisdom, on the other... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:5

Verse 5 5.That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men. To be is used here as meaning to consist His meaning, then, is, that the Corinthians derived this advantage from his having preached Christ among them without dependence on human wisdom, and relying solely on the Spirit’s influence, that their faith was founded not on men but on God. If the Apostle’s preaching had rested exclusively on the power of eloquence, it might have been overthrown by superior eloquence, and besides, no one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

A faithful picture of a true gospel preacher. "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech," etc. These words may be regarded as a faithful picture of a true gospel preacher. I. The grand subject of his ministry is the CRUCIFIED CHRIST . 1. Christ crucified, because he is the highest revelation of God's love for man. 2. Christ crucified, because he is the most thrilling demonstration of the wickedness of humanity. 3. Christ crucified,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

How St. Paul preached the gospel. A great truth is capable of manifold presentations. To be seen fully it must be viewed in various aspects, each of which is relative to the wholeness of the idea, while supplying to the student an increased sensibility to its excellence. Sir Joshua Reynolds speaks of his disappointment when he first saw the painting of the Transfiguration, but it grew upon him and educated his eye, the mind in the eye, to appreciate its sublimity. Hazlitt mentions a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Pauline preaching. I. WHAT IT WAS NOT . 1. It was not "with excellency of speech." Paul did not come as a rhetorician; his utterances were not orations of highly wrought eloquence. He did not seek to make the gospel palatable by presenting it with "enticing words." His manner was simple and unaffected; his diction plain and easily understood. He did not aim to carry everything before him with a flood of words, neither did he, a preacher, seek fame as an orator. He had a ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul the model preacher. The apostle has shown that God does not save men by human wisdom, but by the preaching of Christ. He now declares that his own practice at Corinth was in accordance with this great principle. His example is a pattern for all preachers of the gospel. I. THE MATTER . AND METHOD OF PREACHING . Paul's business was to "proclaim the mystery of God," "even the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations; but now hath it been manifested to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:2

I determined. The unadorned simplicity of my teaching was part of a fixed design. Not to know anything. Not, that is, to depend on any human knowledge. Of course, St. Paul neither means to set aside all human knowledge nor to disparage other Christian doer, toes. His words must not be pressed out of their due context and proportion. Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Christ, in the lowest depth of his abasement and self sacrifice. He would "know" nothing else; that is, he would make this... read more

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