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Epiphany Season · Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)

The Wisdom of the Cross

February 8, 2026

The Crucifixion, Francisco de Zurbarán
The Crucifixion, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1627Art Institute of Chicago
Zurbarán puts the body against pure black with four nails and no landscape at all. In its chapel it was taken for a sculpture rather than a painting.I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.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.Art Institute of Chicago
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:13-20Mt 5:13-20
Epistle1 Cor. 2:1-12 (13-16)1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16)
Old TestamentIsa. 58:1-9a (9b-12)Is 58:1-9a (9b-12)
PsalterPs. 112:1-9 (10)Ps 112:1-9 (10)

Overview & Insights

"We have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Paul recalls that he came to Corinth proclaiming Christ crucified rather than displaying clever rhetoric or philosophy. He contrasts the wisdom of this age with the hidden wisdom of God, revealed to believers through the Spirit.

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)

Commentary

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Commentaries1 Cor 2:1-12 Commentaries BibleHub

A collected set of classic commentaries on Paul's contrast of human and Spirit-given wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2 Commentary1 Cor 2 Commentary Enduring Word

Walks through Paul's argument that the cross, not eloquence, is the true wisdom of God.

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

The RCL preaching commentary on this exact pericope for Year A.

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Commentary1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16) Commentary CEP

A preaching-oriented read on Paul's cruciform, Spirit-taught wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2 Commentary1 Cor 2 Commentary Precept Austin

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of Paul's wisdom-versus-Spirit argument.

1 Corinthians 2 - Gill's Exposition1 Cor 2 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight

Gill's older exposition on the chapter for additional historic detail.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Interlinear1 Cor 2:1-12 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the underlying Greek for key terms like wisdom (sophia) and Spirit.

Book of 1 Corinthians OverviewBook of 1 Cor Overview BibleProject

An animated overview locating this passage within Paul's larger argument to Corinth.

Fathers

1 Corinthians 2 Catena1 Cor 2 Catena Catena

Early church comment on Paul's teaching about the Spirit and hidden wisdom.

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