1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brothers, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.… It was in — I. A DECISIVE TONE OF PERSONAL CONVICTION. It was "the testimony of God," not an opinion. He does not say, "I think so," but "God says so." So in Galatians 1:11, 12. St. Paul was no hired, official expounder of a system. He felt that his words were eternal truth: hence their power. Hence, too, arises the possibility of discarding rules of oratory. For it is half-way towards making us believe when a man believes himself. Faith produces faith. II. A SPIRIT OF SELF-ABNEGATION (ver. 2). There were no side glances at his own prospects, reputation, success. And this sincerity and self-forgetfulness was a source of power. It was so with the Baptist, who declared of Christ: "He must increase, but I must decrease." In any work which is to live, or be really beautiful, there must be the spirit of the Cross. That which is to be a temple to God must never have the marble polluted with the name of the architect or builder. III. A SPIRIT OF PERSONAL LOWLINESS (ver. 3). Partly this refers to his infirmities and disadvantages; but partly, too, it means deep humility. Now, remember who it was who said this — the daring St. Paul, whose soul was all of flame, whose every word was a half-battle, who stood alone on Mars' Hill, and preached to the scoffing Athenians "Jesus and the Resurrection." How little they who heard his ponderous sentences could have conceived that "weakness, and fear, and much trembling" of the invisible spirit! But again: see how this tells on the tone of his ministry. St. Paul did not begin with asserting his prelatical dignity and apostolic authority. He began with declaring truth, and that in "trembling." Then, when men disputed his right to teach, he vindicated his authority, but not till then. And this is a lesson for modern times. Each minister must prove his apostolical succession by apostolic truthfulness, sincerity, and courage — as St. Paul proved his — and by his charity, and by his Christ-like meekness. (F. W. Robertson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. |
    |