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"In weakness..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:3

PERSONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

We often imagine that the Apostle Paul was fearless and had nothing but courage in his heart as he ministered for the Lord Jesus Christ! This text might sound surprising!

“I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words
of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men
but in the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:3-5

1. Admission of personal feelings

a) We have a glimpse of how Paul felt as he began his ministry in Corinth.

b) Weakness, in fear and trembling

i) This was the human part.

ii) It is not abnormal to feel less than confident when a ministry was assessed as difficult.

iii) There was humble and candid admission of what was felt.

2. Further admission of limited elocution skills

a) Speech and preaching

i) Paul was aware how he compared with eloquent orators.

ii) He could not be compared to them!

b) There were some who were skilled orators.

i) These used persuasive words to make their point.

ii) They used human wisdom as a means to be accepted by their audiences.

3. Paul’s standard mode of operation

a) “In demonstration of the Spirit and of power”

i) He depended on the Holy Spirit.

ii) He trusted in His power for ministry.

b) Faith of the believers

i) This should not be built on human wisdom.

ii) This should be built on the power of God.

iii) True faith must come from the preaching of God’s word (Romans 10:17).