1 Corinthians Chapter 2, Verse 4
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4: και ο λογος μου και το κηρυγμα μου ουκ εν πειθοις ανθρωπινης σοφιας λογοις αλλ εν αποδειξει πνευματος και δυναμεως
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:
4: And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of
human wisdom, but in shewing of the Spirit and power:
And my speech. The word speech here -- if it is to be distinguished from preaching -- refers, perhaps, to his more private reasonings; his preaching, to his public discourses.
Not with enticing words. Not with persuasive reasonings peiyoiv logoiv of the wisdom of men. Not with that kind of oratory that was adapted to captivate and charm, and which the Greeks so much esteemed.
But in demonstration. In the showing, apodeixei or in the testimony or evidence which the spirit produced. The meaning is, that the spirit furnished the evidence of the Divine origin of the religion which he preached, and that it did not depend for its proof on his own reasonings or eloquence. The proof, the demonstration which the Spirit furnished, was, undoubtedly, the miracles which were wrought, the gift of tongues, and the remarkable conversions which attended the gospel. The word Spirit here refers, doubtless, to the Holy Spirit; and Paul says that this Spirit had furnished demonstration of the Divine origin and nature of the gospel. This had been by the gift of tongues, 1Cor 2:5ff, comp. 1 Corinthians Chapter 14, and by the effects of his agency in renewing and sanctifying the heart.
And of power. That is, of the power of God, 1Cor 1:5; the Divine power and efficacy which attended the preaching of the gospel there. Comp. 1Thess 1:5. The effect of the gospel is the evidence to which the apostle appeals for its truth.
