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

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, recalling his first visit (v. 3) and contrasting his approach with the "wise" teachers who dazzled them with rhetoric.

The words — κῆρυγμα (kērygma) is the word for "preaching" here; it carries the sense of a herald's public proclamation of a fixed decree, not a persuasive argument.

The thread — The same contrast between power and talk recurs in 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, and 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

Why it lands — It forces the reader to ask whether their faith rests on how well the message was delivered or on what God actually accomplished through it.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

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:

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 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.
1 Corinthians 1:17 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 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
Romans 15:19 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.
2 Peter 1:16 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 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 I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.
John 16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
Galatians 1:10 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.