⁴ And my speech and my preaching ^(A)were not with persuasive words of ^[a]human wisdom, ^(B)but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

²⁰ For ^(A)the kingdom of God is not in word but in ^(B)power.

⁵ For ^(A)our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, ^(B)and in the Holy Spirit ^(C)and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, ^(A)not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Christ Crucified

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the ^[a]testimony of God.

^19 (A)in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word^(A)

¹⁶ For we did not follow ^(B)cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the ^(C)power and ^(D)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were ^(E)eyewitnesses of His majesty.

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the ^[a]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

⁴ Now this I say ^(A)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

Deceptions of False Teachers

¹⁸ For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who ^[a]have actually escaped from those who live in error.