Paul tells the Corinthians, from today’s verse, that he was determined [resolved] not to know anything among you… He wasn’t interested in discussing politics, philosophy or the sciences.

Paul says his only focus was Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The theme of Paul’s preaching was not five steps to a better self-image. Paul preached the cross.

Paul did not preach only evangelistic messages. He told the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 18:11 says of his ministry in Corinth, “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

However, no matter his subject, he always made “a bee-line to the cross.”

In verse three of I Corinthians 2, Paul says he came to them in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Paul was not a timid individual. He was not fearful of Corinth; he was reverent before the Lord. To him, the message of the cross was so powerful, so vital; he treated it with great respect.

Therefore, he did not come to Corinth (verse 4) with slick enticing or persuasive words of man’s wisdom. He did not come with a slick marketing package to manipulate the people. Rather, he came in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He came in utter dependence on the work of the Spirit as he proclaimed the cross.

May we never compromise the true mission of the church; preach the gospel!