Paul describes the gospel's effectiveness as the power of God working through the simple preaching of the cross, not through human eloquence or wisdom.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17–18, Paul says he was sent to preach the gospel 'not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect,' and that 'the preaching of the cross... is the power of God' to those being saved. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, he says his preaching was 'in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.' Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul came without oratory or smooth talk, and that the Holy Spirit, not human skill, made the preaching effective.
1 Corinthians 1:17 — Paul directly connects the effectiveness of his preaching to avoiding 'wisdom of words' so that the cross of Christ is not made of none effect.
1 Corinthians 1:18 — This is the core verse where Paul declares that the preaching of the cross is the power of God to those who are saved.
1 Corinthians 2:4 — Paul explains that his preaching was not persuasive human speech but a demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul says: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." Then in 1 Corinthians 1:18 he states: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." The same chapter says that to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). Paul further explains in 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." He sums it up in 1 Corinthians 4:20: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
Les Feldick teaches that Paul did not come to Corinth with oratory, smooth talk, or an advanced team preparing the way. Instead, he went into the synagogue and the busy marketplace and simply began to approach people with the preaching of the cross. Les says this is the way God has ordained ministry — pastors should forget gimmicks and programs and simply preach the Word. Les also emphasizes that Paul was not a polished orator. His speech was considered contemptible by some, but that did not matter because the Spirit of God did the work. Paul's preaching was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Les says it was not Paul's fast talking or language that brought the Corinthians out of paganism; it was the power of God when he preached the simple gospel of Christ. Paul's gospel was the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again — that is all Paul knows. He was not sent to baptize like John; he was sent to preach the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul preached "not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." Les says nothing the church does, not even the rite of baptism, should detract from the finished work of the cross. To the lost, the cross is foolishness; to believers, it is the power of God.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul writes that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, "not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." Les says Paul could not let anything detract from the finished work of the cross — not even the rite of baptism. Les also says Paul did not come with oratory, smooth talk, or an advanced team; he simply approached people with the preaching of the cross.
1 Corinthians 2:4 says Paul's speech and preaching were "not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Les notes that Paul was not a polished orator and that his speech was considered contemptible, yet the Spirit of God did the work. The power of God, not Paul's fast talking or language, brought the Corinthians out of paganism.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul writes, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." Les says the gospel — that Christ died, was buried, and rose again — is everything to us because that is where God has His controversy with man. To the lost world it seems foolish; to believers it is God's power.
Why the Cross Is Foolishness to the World — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Paul's Simple Approach
Paul didn't come with oratory, smooth talk, or an advanced team; he simply preached the cross of Christ, and this is the method God has ordained.
Spirit-Empowered Preaching
Paul's speech was considered contemptible and unpolished, yet his preaching was in demonstration of the Spirit and of power — the Spirit of God did the work.
God's Power in the Gospel
It wasn't Paul's fast talking or language that brought the Corinthians out of paganism; it was the power of God when he preached the simple gospel of Christ.
The Power of God
Quoting 1 Corinthians 1:18, Les connects 'the preaching of the cross' with 'the power of God' to those who are saved.
Paul's One Message
Paul's gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again — that is all he knows, and to the lost it is foolishness.
Sent to Preach, Not Baptize
Paul was not sent to baptize as John was; his mission was to preach the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection without 'wisdom of words.'
Nothing Detracts from the Cross
Paul was sent to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words; nothing, even baptism, should detract from the finished work of the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:17: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
This verse states that the purpose of Paul's ministry is preaching the gospel, and that human wisdom must not diminish the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This is the key answer to the question: the effectiveness of the gospel is God's power, not human persuasion.
1 Corinthians 1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Paul shows that Christ Himself is the power of God to those who are called.
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:
Paul specifically says his preaching relied on the Spirit's power, not eloquent human words.
1 Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
This verse reinforces that real spiritual effectiveness is a matter of power, not mere speech.
It is the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again — the gospel Paul preached. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18, this message is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved it is the power of God. Les says this is all Paul knows — "my gospel," the gospel of the grace of God.
No. Paul's speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Les says Paul was not a polished orator and his speech was considered contemptible, but the Spirit of God did the work.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be made of none effect. Les explains that nothing the church does, not even baptism, should detract from the finished work of the cross.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Cross Is Foolishness to the World — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25