1 Corinthians 2:4 “My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom,…”

1 Corinthians 2:4

My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

World English Bible

My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

American Standard Version

And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Geneva Bible 1599

Neither stoode my woorde, and my preaching in the entising speach of mans wisdom, but in plaine euidence of the Spirite and of power,

Darby Translation

and my word and my preaching, not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of [the] Spirit and of power;

Young's Literal Translation

and my word and my preaching was not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power —

Bible in Basic English

And in my preaching there were no honeyed words of wisdom, but I was dependent on the power of the Spirit to make it clear to you:

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Cross references

“my speech”

Acts 20:27

Acts 20:27 · BSB

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

“not”

1 Corinthians 1:17 1 Corinthians 2:1 2 Peter 1:16 1 Corinthians 2:13 Colossians 2:4 2 Peter 2:18

1 Corinthians 1:17 · BSB

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 2:1 · BSB

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

2 Peter 1:16 · BSB

For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

1 Corinthians 2:13 · BSB

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Colossians 2:4 · BSB

I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.

2 Peter 2:18 · BSB

With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.

“enticing”

Galatians 1:10 Acts 26:28

Galatians 1:10 · BSB

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Acts 26:28 · BSB

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”

“but”

1 Corinthians 4:20 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Romans 15:19 John 16:8–15 1 Peter 1:12

1 Corinthians 4:20 · BSB

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 · BSB

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.

Romans 15:19 · BSB

by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

John 16:8–15 · BSB

And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

1 Peter 1:12 · BSB

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look in…

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

5so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Read 1 Corinthians 2