1 Corinthians 2:3-5 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.… I. "THE SPEECH AND PREACHING" OF THE APOSTLE. 1. His great subject was the gospel. He was a great preacher of the law; for no man preaches the gospel who does not preach the law, and our appreciation of the gospel is always in direct proportion to our real perception of God's holy law. But that which Paul delighted in was the gospel. He preached in all His fulness a full Christ; he exhibited Him in the glory of His person, in all the perfection of His atonement, in all the freeness of His free-grace salvation. And he preached it largely, and wherever he went. He preached it holily too; he set it forth in all its holy tendencies, and he exhibited it in its holy effects in his own life (1 Thessalonians 1:5). 2. His manner was "not with enticing words of man's wisdom." His subject was grand, awful, sublime, wondrous; but his speech was plain, simple, unadorned, and homely. No glare and glitter were his, no traps for human applause, no desire to be thought a man of great talent; the gifted apostle was above it. How does this show to us what sort of preachers we want! We do not mean that the apostle did not suit his speech to those to whom he spake, for he became all things to all men, &c. II. THE BLESSING THAT ATTENDED IT. "In demonstration of the Spirit and of power." 1. Many understand by this the miraculous gifts that Paul was able to exhibit, as proof that he was an apostle of Christ. That be wrought miracles, is quite clear; and that they were great seals to his ministry is also quite clear (Romans 15:18). But the Word of God tells us that signs and wonders may be the means of hardening those who work them. Besides, a continuous miracle would cease to be a miracle; and the mightiest could never of itself convert one single soul. 2. More marvellous things than those that wrought in the triumph of God over matter are wrought when He triumphs over mind. The apostle set forth the truth to men's understanding, but the Holy Ghost conveyed the light into their minds; he spake to men's consciences, but the Spirit conveyed the tenderness of heart, and made the word' effectual. Here is no violence, no new faculty, no new truth; but the Holy Ghost put forth His power, and brought in demonstration (Colossians 1:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). 3. The power of the gospel is demonstrated — (1) In the conversion of the sinner. (2) In the comfort of the mourner. (3) In the sanctification of the believer. (4) In the hour of death. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.WEB: I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. |
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