1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I. THE DETERMINATION OF THE APOSTLE. 1. "Jesus" signifies a Saviour. The kind errand upon which He comes is included in this name — to save from the guilt of sin, by imputing the merit of His sacrifice, and from the dominion of sin, by imparting His Spirit. 2. Christ signifies the Anointed One (Psalm 45:7). As kings and priests and prophets were anointed, so He was especially anointed of God as the King, the Priest, and the Prophet of His Church. 3. A special emphasis must be laid upon the words, Him crucified. "Jesus Christ" they, know in heaven; "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified," sinners are to be acquainted with upon the earth. 4. Paul determines to "know" this. To know sometimes meant — (1) Respect and love. "I beseech you to know them which labour among you in the Lord. (2) To make it known to others. And this the apostle did. (3) The word here signifies especially that he so resolved to preach among them "Christ crucified," as if he knew nothing so much as — nothing in comparison with — "Christ, and Him crucified." And read his sermons and epistles, and see how he carried out this blessed determination. II. SOME REASONS FOR THIS DETERMINATION. 1. It was a subject which God approved. He calls it "the testimony of God," because to His crucified Son God has given wonderful testimony in the Scriptures. 2. It was the subject calculated to convert sinners. And why? Because the Spirit, as the glorifier of Christ, will not apply any other subject but this. 3. It was fitted to comfort the sorrowful. We have in it everything adequate to our present and eternal necessities. 4. It was adapted to promote holiness. If I wish you to manifest His obedience in all your conduct, how is it to be obtained? "The love of Christ constraineth us." If I want to press upon your attention holy love to Christ, it proceeds from the same source. If I want to excite you to holy liberality, where can I point you but here? "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor," &c. 5. It agrees with the theme of heaven. (J. Sherman.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.WEB: For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. |
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