📖 1 Corinthians — Chapter 2 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, Rwhen I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined Rnot to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:3 RAnd I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Corinthians 2:4 And Rmy speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, Rbut in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among Rthem that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, Reven the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1 Corinthians 2:8 Which Rnone of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, REye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for Rthe Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:11 For Rwhat man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, Rnot the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, Rnot in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But Rthe natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:15 But Rhe that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For Rwho hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 — Faith rests in God's power
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul recalls preaching Christ crucified in weakness rather than relying on persuasive displays of human wisdom.
Key Truth: Ground faith in God's power.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “That your faith should not stand in the ____ of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:5 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And I was with you in weakness, and in ____ , and in much trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2:3)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “That your ____ should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in …” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 2:6–10 — Wisdom revealed by the Spirit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
God's hidden wisdom concerns the crucified Lord of glory. The Spirit reveals what human powers did not understand.
Key Truth: Receive God's revelation with humility.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But we speak the ____ of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which …” (1 Corinthians 2:7)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Which ____ of the princes of this world knew: for had they …” (1 Corinthians 2:8)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:8 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But God hath revealed them unto us by his ____ : for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep …” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 2:11–16 — Understanding spiritual things
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul contrasts worldly reception with understanding given through the Spirit, ending with the mind of Christ.
Key Truth: Seek understanding shaped by Christ.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… what man knoweth the things of a man, save the ____ of man which is in him? even so the things …” (1 Corinthians 2:11)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But the ____ man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: …” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For who hath ____ the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? …” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 2:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 64:4 — Paul draws on Scripture concerning what God prepares for those who love him.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can humility change your approach to understanding Scripture?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (Faith rests in God's power) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 (Wisdom revealed by the Spirit) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 2:11–16 (Understanding spiritual things) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What foundation does Paul desire for the Corinthians' faith?
5. Why does the natural man not receive the Spirit's things?
Notes
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