1 Corinthians

Key-word, “Wisdom;” Key-verse, 2:7, 8.-Corinth was the rival of Athens. The Greeks were proud of their language and literature, learning and logic (“speech” and “wisdom”). Paul prepares these epistles to meet the Greek mind. He begins by renouncing wisdom, as to the Romans he renounced power. He magnifies the “things of God,” “words of God,” “demonstration of the Spirit,” etc., and would not use wisdom of words lest the cross be made of none effect. [p. 109]HBS 43.3