For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
Paul's statement reflects a deliberate decision to focus solely on the core message of the Gospel. In the context of Corinth, a city known for its intellectualism and philosophical debates, Paul's approach contrasts sharply with the prevailing culture. His resolution indicates a conscious choice to avoid engaging in the philosophical and rhetorical styles that were popular in Corinth. This decision underscores the simplicity and power of the Gospel message, emphasizing that human wisdom and eloquence are secondary to the transformative power of Christ's message. This approach aligns with Paul's broader teaching in 1 Corinthians, where he contrasts human wisdom with the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

except Jesus Christ
Paul's focus on Jesus Christ highlights the centrality of Christ in Christian teaching and life. By emphasizing Jesus, Paul points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God's plan for salvation. This focus is consistent with the broader New Testament narrative, which presents Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. The emphasis on Jesus alone also serves as a corrective to any tendencies within the Corinthian church to elevate other leaders or teachings above Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12-13).

and Him crucified
The crucifixion of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, representing the ultimate sacrifice for sin and the means of reconciliation between God and humanity. In a cultural context where crucifixion was seen as a shameful and humiliating death, Paul's emphasis on the crucified Christ is both countercultural and revolutionary. It underscores the paradox of the Gospel: that God's power and wisdom are revealed through what the world considers weakness and foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). This focus on the crucifixion also connects to the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. He wrote this letter to the church in Corinth to address various issues and to provide guidance.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral decadence. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and moral issues, which Paul addresses in his letters.

3. Jesus Christ
Central to Paul's message, Jesus is the Son of God, whose life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of Christian faith.

4. The Crucifixion
The event of Jesus Christ's death on the cross, which is the focal point of Paul's preaching and the basis for salvation in Christian theology.Centrality of the Cross
The crucifixion of Jesus is the core of the Christian message. It is essential to keep the cross central in our teaching and understanding of the gospel.

Simplicity in Message
Paul’s focus on "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" highlights the importance of simplicity in our message. We should avoid overcomplicating the gospel and instead focus on its core truths.

Power in Weakness
The message of the cross, though seen as foolishness by the world, is the power of God. Embrace the paradox of strength in weakness as demonstrated by Christ’s crucifixion.

Personal Resolution
Like Paul, we should resolve to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else, allowing it to shape our lives and interactions with others.

Unity in the Church
By focusing on Christ crucified, we can overcome divisions and foster unity within the church, as all believers are united in the same foundational truth.(2) I determined not to know.--Better, I did not determine to know. The only subject of teaching concerning which the Apostle had formed a determined resolve in his mind when coming to Corinth was the preaching Christ and Him as being crucified. We have here a statement of what was ever the subject-matter of apostolic teaching. St. Paul did not dwell on the miraculous in the life of Christ, which would have pandered to the Jewish longing for a "sign"; nor did he put forward elaborate "theories" of the gospel, which would have been a concession to the Greek's longing after "wisdom": but he preached a personal Christ, and especially dwelt on the fact that He had been crucified (1Corinthians 1:17; 1Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 2:8). We can scarcely realise now the stumbling-block which the preaching of a crucified Christ must have been to Jews and Greeks, the enormous temptation to keep the cross in the background which the early teachers would naturally have felt, and the sublime and confident faith which must have nerved St. Paul to make it the central fact of all his teaching. For us the cross is illumined with the glories of eighteen centuries of civilisation, and consecrated with the memory of all that is best and noblest in the history of Christendom. To every Jew and to every Gentile it conveyed but one idea, that of the most revolting and most degrading punishment. The remembrance of this fact will enable us to realise how uncompromising was the Apostles' teaching--how it never "accommodated itself" to any existing desire or prejudice. This surely is no small evidence of the divine origin of the religion of which the Apostles were the heralds!

Verse 2. - I determined. The unadorned simplicity of my teaching was part of a fixed design. Not to know anything. Not, that is, to depend on any human knowledge. Of course, St. Paul neither means to set aside all human knowledge nor to disparage other Christian doer, toes. His words must not be pressed out of their due context and proportion. Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Christ, in the lowest depth of his abasement and self sacrifice. He would "know" nothing else; that is, he would make this the central point and essence of all his knowledge, because he knew the "excellency" of this knowledge (Philippians 3:8) - knew it as the only knowledge which rose to the height of wisdom. Christ is the only Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). In the person and the work of Christ is involved the whole gospel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

I decided
ἔκρινά (ekrina)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

to know
εἰδέναι (eidenai)
Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

nothing
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

[while I was] with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

except
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Christ
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Him
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

crucified.
ἐσταυρωμένον (estaurōmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)