In 1:1-5, Paul defends his preaching. Obviously, the criticism is that his preaching lacks wisdom and spiritual power. He answers this criticism by pointing out that the gospel is God's way of salvation. It may not possess the wisdom and power of this age, may even be called foolish, but what it does possess is the power to save.

v1. Paul opens by stating that just as all human boasting is eliminated by God through the cross and the "lowly" status of the people of God, so it is also eliminated in the preaching of their founding apostle. He reminds them that his preaching was "not in such a way as to distinguish myself" (Conzelmann).

v2. Paul testified to "Jesus Christ and him crucified." The "know nothing" may imply that he said nothing else, but we have many examples of Paul's preaching and we know he did cover a whole range of topics in his desire to make Christ known. Nor should we think he spoke only of "him crucified". Paul's teaching is extensive, but his emphasis is on the "foolishness" of the cross.

v3. Paul goes on to speak of his weak preaching. His "weakness" was possibly some physical condition. The common argument is that it had something to do with his sight. He also admits he was overwhelmed by fear. Yet this weakness, in a sense, confirms his gospel ministry.

v4. For the "spiritual" in the church at Corinth, "speaking in the Spirit" was done by revealing profound and secret wisdom in a dynamic and persuasive way. In contrast, Paul's presentation was foolish and weak. Yet, God's power is made manifest through weakness and so through his preaching there was a demonstration of "the Spirit and power" in the conversion of a remnant out of the darkness that infested Corinth. The Spirit's power was manifest in the transformation of people's lives.

v5. Finally, Paul states that God's use of the foolishness of the message and the weakness of the preacher, has a clear intention. Salvation rests on God's work in Christ's death and resurrection, on the hearing of that work through the proclamation of the gospel, and on a response of faith. This is what Paul means by "God's power". The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. A saving response of faith can only rest on the gospel. If it rests on eloquence or philosophical wisdom, it is worthless.

When Paul writes to the Corinthian church he gives them a powerful insight into the preached Word. Divine wisdom is not found in secular power, it is found in weakness and foolishness. The first instrument of Divine foolishness is the cross of Christ proclaimed, v18-25. The second instrument, an instrument God uses to defeat the "secular city" (the kingdom of darkness), is the church, v26-31 - an organization of great weakness and foolishness.

Given the above, we should expect that the preacher will be weak and foolish. Paul therefore makes two simple points. Paul therefore makes two simple points. In v1-2 he reminds his readers of the foolish content of his preaching. In v3-4 he reminds them of the weakness of the preacher. This weakness and foolishness encourages the believer to see their salvation resting on the grace of God, rather than on the power of their spiritual gifts or the brilliance of their theology, v5.

What do we expect in a sermon? Week by week we sit through the rather strange art-form called the sermon. The congregation, patient, ever-forgiving, quietly-submissive, just listens.

Twenty minutes every Sunday, every week, of every year. Sometimes the regurgitation of trite platitudes, pious musings, theological trivia, Bible college lectures, summaries of books.... Sometimes the complex, erudite, incomprehensible, theological machinations of a student minister struggling to get a whiff of the passage's meaning.

For some clergy, the sermon is that one moment in the week when we have them in our power. For a whole week we have put up with the wiles and cunning of a congregation of independent intent, and now finally, we have them in our hands. For some, it is an opportunity to strut the boards of the highest stage of all. To enthuse, to inspire, to control, to manipulate.... What do we expect in a sermon?

i] The foolishness of the gospel. "Christ and him crucified." As far as Paul the apostle is concerned, the content of good preaching is the gospel. This does not mean that we should hear evangelistic messages in the service each Sunday. The church is not the place for evangelism, assuming that most who attend are believers. Yet, God's good news is for his people, and so his people should hear of the cross of Christ. With the cross before us, let us respond in faith and see our lives transformed by the power of the indwelling Spirit.

ii] The weakness of the preacher. Paul does not argue against persuasive preaching, rather he argues against preaching that is conformed to this world. Paul argues for a proclamation of gospel truth through human weakness in the knowledge that truth has the power to transform, not oratory.

1. "Eloquence or superior wisdom." What form of preaching is this?

2. How would you preach "Jesus Christ and him crucified" to an average congregation week by week?