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Epiphany Season · Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul's Preaching Rests on the Spirit's Power, Not Eloquence

February 8, 2026

The Crucifixion, Carlo Crivelli
The Crucifixion, Carlo Crivelli, circa 1487The Art Institute of Chicago
Crivelli paints with gold, hard outlines and real objects stuck onto the panel in relief. The grief is stylised almost to the point of pattern.I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.Carlo CrivelliA Venetian who worked in the Marches, kept gold and tooled relief long after Florence had abandoned them, and signed himself a Venetian all his life.The Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.The Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:13-16Mt 5:13-16
Second Reading1 Cor. 2:1-51 Cor 2:1-5
First ReadingIsa. 58:7-10Is 58:7-10
Responsorial PsalmPs. 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)

Overview & Insights

"I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Paul recalls arriving in Corinth in weakness and fear rather than with impressive rhetoric, resolved to preach only Christ crucified. He wants the Corinthians' faith to rest on the Spirit's power, not on human argument.

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Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]Commentary on 1 Cor 2:1-12 [13-16] Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Paul's deliberate choice to preach a cruciform message rather than lofty wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Commentary1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16) Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on why Paul calls his own preaching ineloquent by design.

1 Corinthians 2 Commentary1 Cor 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse reading of Paul's weakness, fear, and much trembling in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 2 Commentary1 Cor 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on the Spirit's demonstration of power.

1 Corinthians 2:1 Commentaries1 Cor 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on Paul's refusal to rely on plausible words of human wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2 - Barnes' Notes1 Cor 2 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes verse by verse on knowing nothing among the Corinthians except Christ crucified.

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre's Catholic exegesis of Paul's preaching alongside the Sunday's salt and light Gospel.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 2:1 Interlinear1 Cor 2:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for weakness, fear, trembling, and demonstration of the Spirit.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 21 Cor 2 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on 1 Corinthians 2.

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