Paul genuinely felt weak, afraid, and full of trembling about how he would be received, yet he never backed away from preaching the cross.
In 1 Corinthians 2:3, Paul says he was with the Corinthians in weakness, fear, and much trembling. Les Feldick says Paul was 'very commonplace' and 'shook in his boots' as he entered strange places. He did not come as a polished orator, and he was not concerned with impressing people, but he was genuinely concerned about their response to the gospel of Christ crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:3 — This is Paul's direct statement that he came to the Corinthians in weakness, fear, and much trembling.
2 Corinthians 10:10 — Shows how others received Paul's preaching, calling his speech contemptible.
The clearest biblical statement is from Paul himself: "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling" (1 Corinthians 2:3). In the preceding verses he explains that he came to Corinth "not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God" (1 Corinthians 2:1). He adds, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2), and "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4). Elsewhere, Paul quotes his critics: "For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Corinthians 10:10). These passages show that Paul did not project a confident, polished public image, and he was not received as a great orator.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that Paul was not a bold, self-confident public speaker. He says people often look at Paul's journeys and think he "had a lot of guts," but Les insists Paul was "very commonplace" and "shook in his boots as he would enter some of these strange places, just as you and I would" (Clip 1). This fear was not an act; Paul was aware of how his message would be received. According to Les, Paul deliberately did not bring what the world values. He didn't come with Greek classics, philosophy, smooth oratory, or intellectual degrees (Clips 0, 2, 7). He did not come like Apollos or a polished Greek speaker; he simply came with the gospel: Christ died for the sins of the world (Clips 0, 3). Les says Paul had to begin "as a nobody," even though he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel (Clip 3). Les also points out that Paul's concern about reception was real: other people said his speech was "contemptible," though his letters were weighty (Clip 6). Yet this did not make Paul change his approach. Les says Paul was not going to back down from declaring the gospel, even though many preachers are afraid of the consequences of telling the truth (Clip 4). He identified with the weak people he was trying to reach and did not come down on them as a spiritual giant (Clip 5).
Paul writes that he came to the Corinthians "not with excellency of speech or of wisdom," and that he was with them "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling" (1 Corinthians 2:1, 3). Les Feldick explains that this means Paul was not a fearless, gritty apostle; he "shook in his boots" and was "very commonplace" (Clip 1).
No, according to Les. Paul did not come with oratory, smooth talk, or a big advance team (Clip 2). He was not an Apollos, and he did not use Greek philosophy or intellectual degrees (Clips 3, 7). Others described his speech as "contemptible" (Clip 6; 2 Corinthians 10:10). His preaching did not depend on persuasive human wisdom; he simply preached the cross.
No. Les says Paul loved everyone but was not going to back down from preaching his gospel (Clip 4). He knew people would find the cross foolish, but he continued to confront them with the simple message of Christ's death for them. He also identified with those he was trying to reach rather than distancing himself as a spiritual superior (Clip 5).
No Greek Classics
Les says Paul did not rely on Greek classics or intellectual training; he came only with the gospel that Christ died for the sins of the world, which was almost forgotten even in his day.
Paul Shook in His Boots
Les corrects the idea that Paul was fearless. He says Paul was very commonplace and shook in his boots as he entered strange places, and his speech was not with enticing words.
No Oratory or Smooth Talk
Les explains Paul didn't come with oratory, smooth talk, or an advance team; he simply approached people with the preaching of the cross.
Weakness and Fear
Les points to Paul's own words that he came not with excellency of speech and was with the Corinthians in weakness and fear; Paul had to begin as a nobody despite his education.
Not Backing Down
Les says Paul was not afraid of any person in the sense of backing down; he would not compromise his gospel, even though many are afraid to tell the truth because of the consequences.
Identifying with the Weak
Les explains Paul did not come as a spiritual giant; he identified with those he was trying to reach and understood their weakness, all for the sake of the gospel.
Speech Called Contemptible
Les notes that others said Paul's speech was contemptible and his appearance unimpressive, yet his written letters were weighty because they became the Word of God.
No Philosophy or Intellectualism
Les shows Paul did not come with philosophy or intellectual degrees into the Greek city of Corinth; he came with the gospel, the cross of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:1: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
Shows Paul did not come with polished oratory or human wisdom.
1 Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
This is the sole message Paul intentionally brought to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 2:3: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
Paul's most direct statement about how he felt when he came to preach.
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.
Explains that his effectiveness did not rest on persuasive speech.
2 Corinthians 10:10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Records how others received Paul's speaking, calling his speech contemptible.
Yes. Paul wrote that he came to Corinth "in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling" (1 Corinthians 2:3). Les Feldick says Paul was "very commonplace" and "shook in his boots" as he entered strange places (Clip 1). This fear was real, but it didn't stop him.
Paul did not try to persuade people with smooth oratory or Greek philosophy. He determined to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Les emphasizes that he didn't come with smooth talk or intellectual degrees, but with the simple gospel (Clips 2, 7).
Paul was sensitive enough to the situation to feel fear and trembling, but that did not make him soften his message. Les says Paul loved people but was not going to back down from declaring the truth, no matter what they thought of him (Clip 4).
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31