I Corinthians 2:1-9
2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
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Paul paints a different picture of himself–someone who comes to Corinth in “weakness, timid and trembling.” Why? It must go back to the “factions” in the church. People had chosen their favorites, and Paul wasn’t at the top of their list. And Paul didn’t want to add to the factious nature of that church.
So he focused only on the basics of Jesus. His purpose was for them to break out of their factions and trust in the power of God. Maybe much like today?
I don’t want to be a follower of anyone other than Jesus.. And God’s promise is that I can’t even imagine what God has planned for me as I learn to love Jesus more.