The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 2:2 Explained

1 Corinthians 2:2

KJV: For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

YLT: for I decided not to know any thing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified;

Darby: For I did not judge it well to know anything among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

ASV: For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  I determined  not  to know  any thing  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified. 

What does 1 Corinthians 2:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

As far as his preaching went, Paul only spoke about Christ crucified. This was his regular practice ( Galatians 3:1). He left all other knowledge aside.
"According to Acts xviii1Paul moved on to Corinth from Athens, and it is often supposed that after an attempt to marry the Gospel to Greek philosophy in his Areopagus speech (Acts xvii22-31), which was attended with indifferent success (Acts xvii32ff.), he determined to change his tactics and preach nothing but the cross. [1] For this imaginative picture there is no evidence whatever." [2]
". . . 1Corinthians is more than a practical letter aimed at telling the readers what to do and what not to do. The letter in fact primarily seeks to influence the minds, dispositions, intuitions of the audience in line with the message Paul had initially preached in the community ( 1 Corinthians 2:2), to confront readers with the critical nature of God"s saving action in the crucified Christ in such a fashion that it becomes the glasses to refocus their vision of God, their own community, and the future. The advancing of such an epistemology gives the letter a theological purpose that unifies its otherwise unconnected structure." [3]
Centering his preaching on Christ crucified was not a new tack Paul took in Corinth because of previous lack of response (cf. Acts 17:22-31).
"What Paul avoided was artificial communication that won plaudits for the speaker but distracted from the message. Lazy preachers have no right to appeal to 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 to justify indolence in the study and careless delivery in the pulpit. These verses do not prohibit diligent preparation, passion, clear articulation, and persuasive presentation. Rather, they warn against any method that leads people to say, "What a marvelous preacher!" rather than, "What a marvelous Savior!"" [4]

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - God's Glory In Men's Weakness
Like the sons of Jesse before Samuel, so do the successive regiments on which the world relies pass before Christ. The wise, the mighty, the noble, the great, the things that are! And the King says, I have not chosen these. The warriors with whom He will win the world to Himself are the nobodies, the ciphers, the people who in the world's estimate do not count. Do not depreciate yourself, but give yourself to Him; He will find a niche for you and make your life worth living. Notice that God has put you into union with Christ Jesus. Everything we need for life and godliness is in Him; only let us make all that we can of our wonderful position and possessions.
Paul came to Corinth from Athens, where he had sought to win his hearers by a studied and philosophical discourse as best adapted to their needs. But as he entered Corinth, he appears to have deliberately determined that his theme would be the crucified Lord, and expressed in the simplest phrases. When we speak the truth as it is in Jesus, the Spirit is ever at hand to enforce our testimony by His demonstration and power. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 2

1  Paul declares that his preaching,
4  though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom,
5  yet consists in the power of God;
6  and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 2:2

For I determined not to know anything among you [ου γαρ εκρινα τι ειδεναι εν υμιν]
Literally, “For I did not decide to know anything among you.” The negative goes with εκρινα — ekrina not with τι — ti Paul means that he did not think it fit or his business to know anything for his message beyond this “mystery of God.” [source]
Save Jesus Christ [ει μη Ιησουν Χριστον]
Both the person and the office (Lightfoot). I had no intent to go beyond him and in particular, and him crucified Literally, and this one as crucified (perfect passive participle). This phase in particular (1 Corinthians 1:18) was selected by Paul from the start as the centre of his gospel message. He decided to stick to it even after Athens where he was practically laughed out of court. The Cross added to the σχανδαλον — scandalon of the Incarnation, but Paul kept to the main track on coming to Corinth. [source]
and him crucified [και τουτον εσταυρωμενον]
Literally, and this one as crucified (perfect passive participle). This phase in particular (1 Corinthians 1:18) was selected by Paul from the start as the centre of his gospel message. He decided to stick to it even after Athens where he was practically laughed out of court. The Cross added to the σχανδαλον — scandalon of the Incarnation, but Paul kept to the main track on coming to Corinth. [source]
and this one as crucified [perfect passive participle)]
(perfect passive participle). This phase in particular (1 Corinthians 1:18) was selected by Paul from the start as the centre of his gospel message. He decided to stick to it even after Athens where he was practically laughed out of court. The Cross added to the σχανδαλον — scandalon of the Incarnation, but Paul kept to the main track on coming to Corinth. [source]
Crucified []
Emphatic. That which would be the main stumbling-block to the Corinthians he would emphasize. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 2:2

Matthew 28:5 Jesus the Crucified [Ιησουν τον εσταυρωμενον]
Perfect passive participle, state of completion. This he will always be. So Paul will preach as essential to his gospel “and this one crucified” (και τουτον εσταυρωμενον — kai touton estaurōmenon 1 Corinthians 2:2). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified [ημεις δε κηρυσσομεν Χριστον εσταυρωμενον]
Grammatically stated as a partial result Christ (Messiah) as crucified, as in 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 3:1, “not a sign-shower nor a philosopher” (Vincent). Perfect passive participle of σταυροω — stauroō [source]
1 Corinthians 1:30 In Christ Jesus [εν Χριστωι Ιησου]
In the sphere of Christ Jesus the choice was made. This is God‘s wisdom. Who was made unto us wisdom from God (ος εγενητη σοπια ημιν απο τεου — hos egenēthē sophia hēmin apo theou). Note εγενητη — egenēthē became (first aorist passive and indicative), not ην — ēn was, the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection. Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:2.) “both righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (δικαιοσυνη τε και αγιασμος και απολυτρωσις — dikaiosunē te kai hagiasmos kai apolutrōsis), as is made plain by the use of τεκαικαι — tė̇kai̇̇kai The three words (δικαιοσυνη αγιασμοσ απολυτρωσις — dikaiosunēσοπια — hagiasmosδικαιοσυνη — apolutrōsis) are thus shown to be an epexegesis of απολυτρωσις — sophia (Lightfoot). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ Jesus. We are made righteous, holy, and redeemed in Christ Jesus. Redemption comes here last for emphasis though the foundation of the other two. In Romans 1:17 we see clearly Paul‘s idea of the God kind of righteousness (αγιασμος — dikaiosunē) in Christ. In Romans 3:24 we have Paul‘s conception of redemption (apolutrōsis setting free as a ransomed slave) in Christ. In Romans 6:19 we have Paul‘s notion of holiness or sanctification (hagiasmos) in Christ. These great theological terms will call for full discussion in Romans, but they must not be overlooked here. See also Acts 10:35; Acts 24:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Corinthians 1:2. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:30 Who was made unto us wisdom from God [ος εγενητη σοπια ημιν απο τεου]
Note εγενητη — egenēthē became (first aorist passive and indicative), not ην — ēn was, the Incarnation, Cross, and Resurrection. Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:2.) “both righteousness and sanctification and redemption” All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ Jesus. We are made righteous, holy, and redeemed in Christ Jesus. Redemption comes here last for emphasis though the foundation of the other two. In Romans 1:17 we see clearly Paul‘s idea of the God kind of righteousness (αγιασμος — dikaiosunē) in Christ. In Romans 3:24 we have Paul‘s conception of redemption (apolutrōsis setting free as a ransomed slave) in Christ. In Romans 6:19 we have Paul‘s notion of holiness or sanctification (hagiasmos) in Christ. These great theological terms will call for full discussion in Romans, but they must not be overlooked here. See also Acts 10:35; Acts 24:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Corinthians 1:2. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ [δια τες πραυτητος και επιεικιας του Χριστου]
This appeal shows (Plummer) that Paul had spoken to the Corinthians about the character of Christ. Jesus claimed meekness for himself (Matthew 11:29) and felicitated the meek (Matthew 5:5) and he exemplified it abundantly (Luke 23:34). See note on Matthew 5:5 and 1 Corinthians 4:21 for this great word that has worn thin with us. Plutarch combines πραυτης — prautēs with επιεικια — epieikia as Paul does here. Matthew Arnold suggested “sweet reasonableness” for επιεικεια — epieikeia in Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch. It is in the N.T. only here and Acts 24:4 In Greek Ethics the equitable man was called επιεικης — epieikēs a man who does not press for the last farthing of his rights (Bernard). Lowly among you (ταπεινος εν υμιν — tapeinos en humin). The bad use of ταπεινος — tapeinos the old use, but here alone in N.T. in that meaning. Socrates and Aristotle used it for littleness of soul. Probably Paul here is quoting one of the sneers of his traducers in Corinth about his humble conduct while with them (1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 7:6) and his boldness (απων ταρρω — apōn tharrō) when away (1 Corinthians 7:16). “It was easy to satirize and misrepresent a depression of spirits, a humility of demeanour, which were either the direct results of some bodily affliction, or which the consciousness of this affliction had rendered habitual” (Farrar). The words stung Paul to the quick. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:1 Lowly among you [ταπεινος εν υμιν]
The bad use of ταπεινος — tapeinos the old use, but here alone in N.T. in that meaning. Socrates and Aristotle used it for littleness of soul. Probably Paul here is quoting one of the sneers of his traducers in Corinth about his humble conduct while with them (1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 7:6) and his boldness “It was easy to satirize and misrepresent a depression of spirits, a humility of demeanour, which were either the direct results of some bodily affliction, or which the consciousness of this affliction had rendered habitual” (Farrar). The words stung Paul to the quick. [source]
Galatians 3:1 Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified [οις κατ οπταλμους Ιησους Χριστος προεγραπη εσταυρωμενος]
Literally, “to whom before your very eyes Jesus Christ was portrayed as crucified.” Second aorist passive indicative of προγραπω — prographō old verb to write beforehand, to set forth by public proclamation, to placard, to post up. This last idea is found in several papyri (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) as in the case of a father who posted a proclamation that he would no longer be responsible for his son‘s debts. Γραπω — Graphō was sometimes used in the sense of painting, but no example of προγραπω — prographō with this meaning has been found unless this is one. With that idea it would be to portray, to picture forth, a rendering not very different from placarding. The foolish Galatians were without excuse when they fell under the spell of the Judaizer. Εσταυρωμενος — Estaurōmenos is perfect passive participle of σταυροω — stauroō the common verb to crucify (from σταυρος — stauros stake, cross), to put on the cross (Matthew 20:19), same form as in 1 Corinthians 2:2. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 2:2 mean?

Nothing for I decided anything to know among you if not Jesus Christ and Him having been crucified
οὐ γὰρ ἔκρινά τι εἰδέναι ἐν ὑμῖν εἰ μὴ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν καὶ τοῦτον ἐσταυρωμένον

οὐ  Nothing 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
ἔκρινά  I  decided 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
τι  anything 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
εἰδέναι  to  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Infinitive Active
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
Ἰησοῦν  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστὸν  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἐσταυρωμένον  having  been  crucified 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: σταυρόω  
Sense: to stake, drive down stakes.