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Chapter 2

When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God,[a] I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 The mystery of God: God’s secret, known only to himself, is his plan for the salvation of his people; it is clear from 1 Cor 1:18–25; 2:2, 8–10 that this secret involves Jesus and the cross. In place of mystery, other good manuscripts read “testimony” (cf. 1 Cor 1:6).

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom(A) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts proclaimed to you God’s mystery

and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom,[a] but with a demonstration of spirit and power,(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 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.

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,(A) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,(B)

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