1 Corinthians 2:1 – When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 

6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”

10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. (NLT) 

When we read chapter 17 of the Book of Acts, we learn that Paul first preached in Athens before he went to Corinth.  He spent much time there debating the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17:18). Paul was very well educated, and he spoke to them using their philosophical arguments.  The results, however, were not very good.  This experience seemed to have taught him a valuable lesson.  That is why he writes in this passage: “When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.”  

The message of salvation through Jesus really is quite simple.  Paul learned that lesson, and in Corinth he decided to only preach Jesus and his work on the cross.  A great lesson for all Christians to learn!  In verse four he makes it clear that Christianity is not so much about the words we use, but rather it is allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us.  Like Paul, when we share with others about Jesus, our speech should be plain, and we should rely upon the Holy Spirit. 

Many Christians worry about how to talk to non believers.  Our task is not to convince anyone, but to be a faithful vessel.  Our faithfulness in our witness includes nurturing the Holy Spirit within us, so that when the opportunity presents itself, we will be prepared by the very presence of God!  Paul tells us in verse twelve: “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” 

What can we do to nurture the Holy Spirit within us?  We nurture the Holy Spirit through prayer, Bible study, fellowship with Christians, and worship.  Then, we must witness.  Like the priest carrying the Ark of the covenant into the Jordan (Joshua 3), when we move forward in faith, God will supply what is needed. 

Today let us nurture the Holy Spirit within us.  Let us prepare so that our witness may be understood.  

Posted by Ramón Torres