1 Corinthians 2:2-4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.(A) 3 I came to you in weakness[a] and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom,[b] but with a demonstration of spirit and power,(B)
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- 2:3 The weakness of the crucified Jesus is reflected in Paul’s own bearing (cf. 2 Cor 10–13). Fear and much trembling: reverential fear based on a sense of God’s transcendence permeates Paul’s existence and preaching. Compare his advice to the Philippians to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), because God is at work in them just as his exalting power was paradoxically at work in the emptying, humiliation, and obedience of Jesus to death on the cross (Phil 2:6–11).
- 2:4 Among many manuscript readings here the best is either “not with the persuasion of wisdom” or “not with persuasive words of wisdom,” which differ only by a nuance. Whichever reading is accepted, the inefficacy of human wisdom for salvation is contrasted with the power of the cross.
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