Les Feldick Bible Study

Was Paul's preaching done with enticing words of man's wisdom?

No. Paul states that his speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. His delivery was even called contemptible, and he was not a polished orator like Apollos or the Greek philosophers; the Spirit of God supplied the effectiveness.

Les explains that Paul's preaching was not built on human eloquence or enticing words of man's wisdom. Verse 4 says his speech and preaching were in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Paul's speech was called contemptible; he may not have used the most perfect Greek grammar and was not a polished orator like Apollos or other Greek philosophers. He did not have to overcome that himself—the Spirit of God did. Les applies this by saying believers simply plant a seed; the message may seem insignificant, like a bottle thrown into the ocean, but it will accomplish something and one day come back, maybe not in this life.

1 Corinthians 2:4

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: