Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 2:5
so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian believers to explain the foundation of his recent teaching on the crucified Christ. He addresses them immediately after describing his preaching method in 1 Corinthians 2:4.
The words — ἵνα (ina) translates literally as "so that," establishing the purpose clause, while σοφίᾳ (sophia) means "wisdom" and denotes the sphere of reliance. These terms frame the verse's directive against human intellectual dependence.
The thread — This theme of divine power over human wisdom recurs in 2 Corinthians 4:7, which attributes surpassing power to God, and 2 Corinthians 6:7, which pairs truthful speech with God's power.
Why it lands — The text states that faith must be anchored in demonstrated divine power rather than human rhetorical skill. It requires believers to consciously reject self-reliance and intellectual pride in matters of spiritual conviction.
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
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
- 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.
- Acts 16:14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.