ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 2 v1 - 5

OVERVIEW:

Paul was not without natural fear when he was beaten and persecuted (CHRYSOSTOM) as a direct result of his preaching (AMBROSIASTER). When demonstration is made by the wisdom of human words, the worse argument often overcomes the better one, so as to encourage the arguer to boast of his own achievement (CHRYSOSTOM). The false teachers were embarrassed by the Word incarnate (AMBROSIASTER) and dull to sublime teachings (AUGUSTINE) of the one through whom God accomplished our salvation on the cross and in the resurrection (MARIUS VICTORINUS). Faith is elicited not by philosophical rhetoric but by the power of God demonstrated (ORIGEN).

2:1 | No Lofty Words or Wisdom

FALSE TEACHERS EMBARRASSED BY THE WORD INCARNATE. AMBROSIASTER: What Paul calls the testimony here is God the Word incarnate, hidden from all ages with God. Heretics played fast and loose with these things. They preached their wicked doctrine with great eloquence, following the wisdom of the world. They emptied Christ’s cross of its power. They were embarrassed to be ridiculed by the world. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.1

2:2 | Knowing Only Christ Crucified

JESUS CHRIST FREED US. MARIUS VICTORINUS: It was the incarnate Word who accomplished the mystery of our salvation. It was he who freed us and redeemed us. We believe in him who is our Savior through the cross and through his resurrection from the dead. AGAINST ARIUS 1A.2

DULL TO SUBLIME TEACHINGS. AUGUSTINE: Paul said this because he was speaking to those who were unable to grasp the more sublime teachings of the divinity of Christ. ON THE TRINITY 1.12.

2:3 | In Weakness, Fear and Trembling

PROVOKING PERSECUTION. AMBROSIASTER: By preaching Christ in what appeared to be folly to human wisdom, Paul provoked hatred and persecution against himself. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.4

IN MUCH FEAR. CHRYSOSTOM: Was Paul really afraid of danger? Yes, he was, for even though he was Paul, he was still a man. This is not to say anything against him but rather about the infirmity of human nature. Indeed it is to the credit of his sense of determination that even when he was afraid of death and beatings, he did nothing wrong because of this fear. Therefore those who claim that Paul was not afraid of being beaten not only do not honor him, they diminish his greatness. For if he was without fear, what endurance or self-control was there in bearing dangers? HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 6.2.5

2:4 | Not Words of Wisdom

NOT IN PLAUSIBLE WORDS OF WISDOM. ORIGEN: If our Scriptures had persuaded people to believe because they had been written with rhetorical art or philosophical skill, there is no doubt that our faith would be said to depend on the art of words and on human wisdom rather than on the power of God. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 4.1.7.6

DEMONSTRATION OF POWER. CHRYSOSTOM: It does not belittle the gospel to say that it was preached without wisdom. On the contrary, this is the gospel’s great glory, the clearest sign that it is divine and that it comes from heaven. When demonstration is made by the wisdom of human words, the worse argument often overcomes the better one, because the one who argues for it has greater rhetorical skills. But in this case it is not so, because the Spirit does not enter an unclean soul, nor can he ever be overcome, however much clever speech is used to attack him. The demonstration by works and signs is more powerful than mere words. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 6.3.

2:5 | Faith Rests in the Power of God

GOD’S POWER IS ETERNAL. PELAGIUS: Human wisdom is temporal. The power of God is eternal. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 2.8

WISDOM’S BOAST. CHRYSOSTOM: Human wisdom denied the cross, but faith proclaimed the power of God. Wisdom not only failed to reveal the things which people sought after, but also it encouraged them to boast of their own achievements. But faith not only gave them the truth, it also encouraged them to glorify God. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 6.3.9