1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2

This chapter speaks of two qualities that we need:

1) Power, vv. 1-5
Paul begins by referring to his first visit to Corinth when he told the people plainly the message of Jesus and founded the church there. He depended not on his own intellect or speaking ability but on the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not to say that he did not study God's Word or prepare, but his confidence was in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2) Wisdom, vv. 6-16
Paul said that when he was among mature believers, he did speak words of wisdom--the wisdom of the mystery of God. The word "mystery" in the Bible means something that was previously hidden but is now revealed. It wasn't hidden to God because His plan has been in place from before the world began. The world does not understand the mysteries of God or they would never have crucified Jesus.

God has revealed a deeper wisdom of Himself to us through the Holy Spirit. When we believed in Jesus and trusted Him for our salvation, we received the Holy Spirit living within us. He is God, and He knows all the spiritual truths, and He will teach them to us. People who don't have the Holy Spirit cannot understand these truths from God. We who are spiritual--we have trusted Jesus, and we have the Holy Spirit--can understand the things of God, "for we have the mind of Christ." v. 16

We should not be surprised when the world thinks we are a little nutty. They truly cannot understand spiritual truth. It's probably not a good idea to argue or reason with people who don't know God. Our job should be to pray for them, and when the opportunity arises, tell them the Good News of salvation just as Paul initially told the people of Corinth.