1 Corinthians 2:1

King James Version (KJV)

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

Translations

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Amplified Bible

AS FOR myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony {and} evidence {or} {mystery and secret} of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy {and} wisdom;

1 Corinthians 2:1 - American Standard Version

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

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Bible in Basic English

And when I came to you, my brothers, I did not come with wise words of knowledge, putting before you the secret of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Darby Bible

And *I*, when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - English Standard Version

And I, when I came to you, brothers, of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - King James Version

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 2:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Cuando fui a vosotros, hermanos, proclamándoos el testimonio de Dios, no fui con superioridad de palabra o de sabidurìa,

1 Corinthians 2:1 - The Message

You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - New American Standard Bible

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the (One early ms reads {mystery}) testimony of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Por eso, cuando fui a ustedes, hermanos, proclamándoles el testimonio de Dios, no fui con superioridad de palabra o de sabidurìa.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - World English Bible

When I came to you, brothers, I didn`t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Young's Living Translation

And I, having come unto you, brethren, came -- not in superiority of discourse or wisdom -- declaring to you the testimony of God,

1 Corinthians 2:1 - Additional Comments

Paul was not being ostentatious (having a showy display) or pedantic (having a showy display of knowledge), as I am when I use these words. Why? Excellence of speech is speech that communicates. Excellence of wisdom (the implication is a worldly wisdom) lays before us complex philosophical concepts in simple ways that brings us where we need to be - to know the testimony of God, and therein God Himself.
Divine wisdom does not need human ornamentation to touch the hearts and minds. Why? See verses 4-5, 10. It isn't the words themselves, but the Spirit speaking through them to our hearts.
In fact, to some of those without the Spirit, Paul's speech was detestable (2 Cor 10:10). Paul admits it is not persuasive (vs 4). Yet, others were impressed by his speaking - the men of Lystra looked on him as the heathen god Mercury, come down to them in the form of a man, because he was the chief speaker - Acts 14:12.
Note that great men of God know how truly weak and insufficient they are without the power of God working through them.

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