The Declaration of God’s Word: Biblical and Faithful Preaching

Paul declares the method of his ministry, which is to not argue as the Greeks or Jews did, but to preach the Word of God as a proclamation, in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power. That way was anathema to Greek thinking; That a god would conquer by dying, especially a death on the cross? "To speak enthusiastically of an executed deliverer-king was an oxymoron." (Pillar Commentary 1 Cor, p.114) Greeks loved debate, but Paul used the declaration of the truth. He sets forth Christ crucified, the power of God. Then, to those who "are mature", after he has laid the foundation of the simplicity of the Gospel in Christ crucified, he goes on to speak of the wisdom that is needed, the heavenly wisdom of Christ which God ordained. This is taught in the remainder of the chapter, vv 6-16.