Paul deliberately did not rely on eloquent speech, choosing instead the simplicity of the cross so that faith would rest on God's power rather than man's wisdom.
Les Feldick points out that in Corinth—a city 'hung up on philosophy'—Paul could have drawn crowds by quoting Plato and the Greek classics, but he refused to do so. Instead, he came 'not with excellency of speech,' but in weakness, fear, and much trembling, preaching only 'Jesus Christ and him crucified.' Even when critics called his speech 'contemptible,' Paul did not change his method, because effectiveness came through the Spirit and power.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 — Paul explains that he came without excellency of speech or wisdom, determined to know only Christ crucified, and that his preaching was in demonstration of the Spirit and power.
2 Corinthians 10:10 — Records the criticism of Paul's speech as contemptible, while acknowledging the weight of his letters.
The apostle Paul tells the Corinthians, 'And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God' (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Elsewhere, Paul notes that some said of him, 'For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible' (2 Corinthians 10:10). Thus Scripture shows Paul's conscious avoidance of human eloquence and records the criticism that his speech was contemptible.
Les Feldick explains that Paul ministered in a Greek city intoxicated with philosophy. Paul could have attracted a crowd by quoting Plato and the ancient classical writers, but he did not (Clip 0). He also did not rely on oratory, smooth talk, or a big advance team; he simply entered the synagogue and marketplace and preached the cross (Clip 1). According to Les, Paul was not a naturally bold, impressive figure; he 'shook in his boots' entering strange places, and his speech was not with enticing words (Clip 2). Paul, though educated at the feet of Gamaliel, had to come as a nobody; he determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and he came in weakness and fear (Clip 3).
Corinth was a Greek city, only 30-40 miles from Athens, where philosophers spent their days dreaming up something new. Les Feldick says Paul could have quoted Plato and the other ancient Greek classical writers and drawn a crowd, but he didn't. He did not come with intellectual degrees or philosophy; he came with the gospel, which is the cross of Christ. He also didn't come with oratory, smooth talk, or gimmicks, but simply preached the Word.
Les describes Paul as commonplace, shaking in his boots as he entered strange places. He didn't come as a smooth orator like Apollos. He determined not to know anything except Jesus Christ and him crucified, and he was with the Corinthians in weakness, fear, and much trembling. His speech and preaching were not with enticing words; he simply began in the synagogue and then went into the busy marketplace preaching the cross.
Les explains that critics said Paul's letters were weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible. Paul was not a handsome orator, and physically he had little to offer compared to Apollos. Yet his written letters carried weight because they are the Word of God. Paul's gain of converts was not through personal magnetism but through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Philosophy vs. the Cross
Les shows that Paul could have drawn a crowd in Corinth by quoting Plato and classical Greek writers, but he deliberately chose not to, proving his message was not built on human wisdom.
No Oratory or Gimmicks
Les says Paul did not come with oratory, smooth talk, or an advance team; he just preached the cross in the synagogue and marketplace, showing God's ordained method is plain preaching.
Paul's Weakness and Plain Speech
Les points out that Paul was commonplace and even shook in his boots; his speech was not with enticing words, because God uses what the world scoffs at.
Not Excellency of Speech
Paul had to become nobody despite his education; he came not with excellency of speech or wisdom, determined to know only Christ crucified, in weakness and fear.
Simplicity of the Gospel
Les explains Paul did not come with intellectual degrees or philosophy, but with the gospel of the cross in a pagan, ungodly city.
Contemptible Speech, Weighty Letters
Les notes critics said Paul's speech was contemptible, but his written letters have weight because they are the Word of God.
Converts Through the Holy Spirit
Les says Paul had little to offer physically or rhetorically compared with Apollos; his converts came strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Identifying with the Weak
Les notes Paul did not come as a spiritual giant but understood weakness and identified with people for the sake of the gospel.
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.
This is Paul's opening explanation of why he did not rely on eloquent speech in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Paul's determined focus was simply Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:3: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
Paul's personal weakness, fear, and trembling show his lack of confidence in human delivery.
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:
His speech was not with enticing words of man's wisdom but with God's power.
1 Corinthians 2:5: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The purpose was that faith would rest in God's power, not human wisdom.
2 Corinthians 10:10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
This verse records the criticism that Paul's speech was contemptible.
Les doesn't say it was sinful; rather, Paul deliberately chose not to rely on it. In a city obsessed with philosophy, Paul could have attracted crowds with Plato and the classics, but he refused, because the faith of his converts was not to rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Les notes that critics called his speech 'contemptible' and that he was not like Apollos in magnetism and charisma. Paul was a commonplace man who shook in his boots, but the Spirit overcame that limitation.
According to Les, Paul's converts came strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit, not through his appearance or rhetoric. His preaching was in demonstration of the Spirit and power.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31