What did Paul come with instead of the approval of the philosophers at Mars Hill?
Paul came with the simple gospel of the cross, not the approval or wisdom of the philosophers at Mars Hill. He did not rely on the wisdom of this world, but proclaimed God's message in a mystery, and that gospel of the cross has not lost its power.
Les explains that Paul did not come with all the approval of the philosophers up there on Mars Hill. Instead, he came with the simple gospel of the cross. That gospel has not lost its power one iota. Les illustrates this by reporting that in recent months people who watched only a portion of the program had the Lord enter their lives, transform them, and totally change the direction of their life. Les says this is not about him but the power of the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, and any believer can experience the same as they share the gospel. Paul did not come with the wisdom of this world or with the attributes of the princes and nobility of this world; rather, he spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery, which Les connects to Deuteronomy 29:29 and the word secret.