1.

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

Verse 1
When I came to you; meaning when he first, went, to Corinth, and commenced preaching the gospel there, as related Acts 18:1-10.

2.

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

3.

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

Verse 3
The anxiety which Paul suffered on his first visit to Corinth is alluded to in the account in the Acts. (Acts 18:9,Acts 18:10.)

4.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Verse 4
In demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; that is, with power and energy imparted by the influences of the Holy Spirit.

5.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Verse 6
The meaning is, that, though he had presented only the simplest elements of Christianity to the people of Corinth, in, first planting the gospel among them, still there were higher truths revealed which he was accustomed to present to those who had made more advanced attainments in religious knowledge.--Nor of the princes of this world; that is, not the wisdom held in estimation by the princes of this world. By the princes of this world may, very probably, be intended the leading influences and authorities by which the sentiment of the world is governed.

7.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Verse 7
In a mystery; in the gospel, which was kept a mystery, that is, which remained unknown for many ages.--Unto our glory; to our advantage and honor, who are permitted to enjoin its blessings.

8.

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Verse 8
Known it; that is, the gospel,--the truth that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of men.

9.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Verse 9
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, &c.; that is, the natural faculties of man have not discovered them.--The things which God hath prepared; the plan of redemption from sin, of which the apostle had been speaking above.

10.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Verse 12
Spirit of the world; worldly wisdom.

13.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Verse 14
Receiveth not; comprehendeth not.

15.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Verse 15
Judgeth all things; understandeth all things, that is, all spiritual truths.--Is judged of no man; his character and motives are not appreciated or understood by mankind in general.

16.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Verse 16
Who? what natural man?--Instruct him; instruct the spiritual man.--The mind of Christ; the revealed will of Christ.