1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I. THE APOSTLE PREACHED CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED. 1. Preaching Christ means making known the truth respecting Him, i.e., the great facts concerning His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection; the ends for which He did and suffered all this, and the benefits procured by it. 2. Preaching Christ and Him crucified is stating the fact of His ignominious death, and making known all the blessings connected with it. II. HE PREACHED NOTHING BUT CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED, i.e. — 1. He made Christ known on every occasion on which he addressed them. 2. He rejected from his preaching whatever was not intimately connected with this all-important theme. 3. He made known no doctrine, precept, promise, but in connection with Christ and Him crucified. III. HE DETERMINED TO PREACH NOTHING ELSE. It was not a hasty resolution, but his deliberate settled purpose. Let us consider what were the reasons which induced him, and which should induce every minister of Christ to adopt the same determination. 1. He saw the glory and excellency of this subject. Others might consider it foolishness, but the light of its glory had shone into his mind. When a man has his mind taken up with a subject in which he is delighted, he is quite out of his element if you lead him from it, and whatever subject he is engaged upon he will make it turn on his favourite theme. 2. The suitableness of this subject to answer the great ends of the Christian ministry. It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Paul knew that this was the only doctrine which could reach the hardened heart, bring peace to the conscience, inspire a hope of pardon, make men love God, and cultivate all the beauties of holiness. 3. His Lord's command. The question with him was, not what message will be agreeable, but what have I been commanded to deliver. He was commanded to preach the gospel, therefore necessity was laid upon him, and the Saviour has made the discharge of this duty a test of love to Him. Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep. (W. R. Taylor, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.WEB: For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. |
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