Sunday Devotional: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

¹ And when I came to you, brethren, I came not according to superiority of word or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the mystery of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except for Christ Jesus and him crucified.

In the first chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle recognizes the quarrels and divisions that have arisen within the membership, and tries to quell them by bringing their focus back to the fact that they are all followers of the same Lord and Saviour. I get the distinct impression that one of the causes of division is pride, and particularly intellectual pride. In the ancient world, oratory was a prized skill, and those who spoke well were often sought after as politicians and philosophers (e.g., the famous Latin orator Cicero). Those who made good use of language to argue and persuade were considered intellectual–the smartest people in the room.

I’ve noticed a similar phenomenon in the US, especially with regard to people from the UK, my home country. Not all, but a number of Americans I’ve encountered appear to be impressed by people who can string a cohesive sentence together (with a few polysyllabic words), and do so with a crisp English accent. It’s as if the argument is already won simply because they know how to use the language and come from the correct side of the pond. There’s something about that accent, and the way some of my former fellow countrymen use it, that, for some people, gives the impression that the speaker is of superior intelligence, and really knows what they’re talking about. I hasten to add, as one of those English-accented speakers, a lot of the time, the impression is really just that: an impression without any foundation in fact.

Conversely, if you happen to live in one of the South-Eastern US States, and have the kind of accent that is usually associated with that part of the country, as soon as you open your mouth people will tend to consider you to be of lesser intelligence. Especially if your grammar isn’t always accurate, and you have a particularly thick accent. Whatever you try to articulate, there are, sadly, a number of people that will write you off as being ignorant and wrong simply because you’re from the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line, and sound the part.

This is all complete and utter rubbish, of course–and I hope you see that. One’s ability to speak well, and the way one speaks, have nothing to do with one’s intelligence. And we can all probably cite examples of bright and not-so-bright people from all over the country, and the world for that matter.

Paul himself was a highly-educated Jew. If his letters are anything to go by, he knew the Jewish Law, and he could argue a point. Even in Greek, which might not have been his native language, his expression of thought is often admirable. And yet he insists that when he was with the Corinthians, among those who would prize this ability, he chose not to use his mental prowess to try to convince them of the truth. Instead he just preached “Christ Jesus, and him crucified”–that is, the gospel. This is because Paul understood that hearts are not won for God by clever words and arguments. Oratory skill might move a person, but it can’t convert hearts to Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. So Paul sought to take himself out of the equation, not allowing himself the opportunity to think pridefully that he in any way had anything to do with the spiritual harvest in Corinth. He wanted it to be clear that salvation is a work of God, and God alone.

Does this mean we can be sloppy in our thinking and in our presentation of the truths of God? No, I don’t think it does. I think that we should use whatever gifts God has given us for His service and for His glory. We don’t use them in order to do His work for Him, as if to say, “that’s okay God, you don’t need to do anything, I’m quite capable of handling this for You!” Rather, we use them as tools in His service. We apply our minds, we think, and we speak as appropriate for the sole reason that we want to honor God in the use of our minds and our mouths. But here are a few quick applications of what I think Paul intends here:

• Don’t be afraid to speak, even if you’re not a good speaker, or you’re afraid people will laugh at the way you talk. Faithfulness to Christ is more important than your pride, and besides, your words are not the power behind salvation–it’s the gospel message you proclaim, and the Spirit working within that message in the heart of the listener.
• Don’t be afraid to use your oratory skill, but use it wisely and appropriately. If you’re tempted toward pride, then check your motive and perhaps, as Paul did, keep to a simple message. This might apply if you’re in a situation where people particularly value your skill.
• Most of all, have confidence that, whether with wise and persuasive words or not, God is more than able to use you with whatever gifts He has given you to accomplish His purposes. After all, He hasn’t called you to be Paul, He’s called you to be you, and to be faithful with what He’s given you.

Have a great week!