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By Robert Anderson

1 Corinthians 2:2 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

“We have here a statement of what was the subject matter of apostolic teaching.” This sentence, quoted from a standard Commentary, would he most apt if it referred to the Apostle’s words, “we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). However, it is strange that anyone could have penned it here, after studying the Epistle as a whole, or chapter 15 in particular. Indeed, the opening verses of chapter 3 refute such a misreading of the Apostle’s language. Ignoring the emphasis, which rests upon the words “among you,” the verse is thus used, not only to condone, but also to commend, any system of Bible teaching, which is limited to “the simple gospel.” However, the Apostle is not here describing the subject matter of his general teaching, but the scope and character of his preaching when he besought the gospel to Corinth. The Greek was a wisdom worshiper; and such a man as Paul might have so preached that he would have had all Corinth at his feet. “The many” were “peddlers of God’s word” (2 Corinthians 2:17); but as for the Apostle, neither his speech (logos) nor his preaching (i.e., neither the matter nor the manner of it) was in persuasive words of (human) wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4). “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father who is in heaven,” was the Lord’s response to Peter’s confession of His Deity ; and if this was true of the Apostle, even after he had witnessed all the amazing miracles of the Ministry, how intensely true it must be of other men. And so here, the aim of the Apostle Paul was that the faith of the converts should stand in Divine power, and not in human wisdom. In their case, moreover, such special care was needed that, even after their conversion, he felt restrained in unfolding to them “the deep things of God” (2:10; see 3:1-2). “We do speak wisdom among the perfect.” he says in this very chapter (v. 6). The word here rendered “the perfect” is translated “men” in chapter 14:20, and “of full age” in Hebrews 5:14.

However, spiritually the Corinthians were not then, of full age, but babes; and so he had to treat them as babes and to feed them milk. As he had already said. “Christ is the wisdom of God” (Ch. 1:4). Still fulfilling his words iii Colossians 2:2-3 “that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ, in whom are all the measures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.” Therefore, the phrase “to know nothing but Christ” might in a real sense describe the Apostle’s drift. But this use in emphasis of our present text rests on the closing words, “even Him crucified.” The words of chapter 1:22-24 explain the Apostle’s meaning, Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom, WE (in antithesis to all this) preach Christ crucified, unto Jews an offense, and unto Greeks foolishness; but unto them who are the called (i.e. to Christians) we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.[1]

[1] Anderson, Sir Robert (2010-11-07). Misunderstood Texts of the New Testament – By Sir Robert Anderson (Classic Works of Religion and Spirituality)