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"The testimony of God."

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1

AN IMPORTANT FOCUS

The Apostle Paul was a highly successful servant of the Lord! His imprint upon the first century church and beyond is unmistakable! What was his secret for such success?

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come
with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you
the testimony of God.
For I determined not to know anything among you except
Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-2

1. “When I came to you”

a) This is a reference to the time Paul began his ministry in Corinth (Acts 18).

b) He remembered very clearly how he ministered in Corinth.

2. “Did not come with excellence of speech”

a) Paul had definite and clear ideas as to how he would minister.

b) He was not disdaining the significance of speaking eloquently.

c) However, he refused to build his ministry “according to excellence of speech” (italics mine; a literal translation for the phrase “with excellence of speech”).

d) A church is never built on the human eloquence of speech.

3. “Or of wisdom”

a) This is a reference to secular or human wisdom.

b) This was a common method used by some to attract people to church.

c) Paul would have none of that.

4. “I determined not to know anything among you except”

a) This does not mean that Paul lacked knowledge or wisdom.

b) He decided that he would not use secular or human wisdom to proclaim the gospel message.

5. The content of the Gospel message

a) Paul called it “the testimony of God”.

i) In some texts the word is “the mystery” (of God).

ii) In other texts the word is “testimony” (of God).

b) The core content

i) It is about the Lord Jesus Christ.

ii) And that He was crucified for the atonement of our sins.