And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:1KJV
Know the Bible

1 Corinthians 2:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 2:1 mean?

In 1 Corinthians 2:1, Paul recalls how he first spoke to the believers in Corinth. He says his message about God did not depend on impressive speaking or a show of wisdom. The verse draws attention to what Paul announced rather than to the polish of his presentation.

Paul addresses the Corinthians as “brethren,” a family term for fellow believers. After discussing human wisdom in chapter 1, he points to his own arrival in Corinth as an example. “The testimony of God” refers to the message about God that he brought them.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 2:1

  • “excellency” — ὑπεροχή (hyperochē): This word carries the sense of superiority or distinction. Here Paul uses it for a notably impressive quality of speech or wisdom.
  • “declaring” — καταγγέλλω (katangellō): This word means to announce or proclaim. It presents Paul’s speech as the public delivery of a message.
  • “testimony” — μαρτύριον (martyrion): This word can mean testimony or evidence. Paul uses it for the message he brought concerning God.

Why 1 Corinthians 2:1 matters

  • Paul is describing his manner of presenting a message, not claiming that he brought no message. He says he came “declaring unto you the testimony of God.”
  • Paul’s next sentence identifies the center of that message as “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (verse 2). That gives the Corinthians a clearer picture of what Paul was declaring when he came.

Where else these words appear

“excellency” Greek G5247 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

“declaring” Greek G2605 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
  • Acts 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
  • Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

“testimony” Greek G3142 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • Luke 5:14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

“wisdom” Greek G4678 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
  • Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,