1 Corinthains 2:4

1 Corinthians 2:4

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

a. NLT: And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

b. NIV: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

c. YLT: and my word and my preaching was not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power --

d. Amplified Bible: And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],

e. Worrell Translation: And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

1. “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom…”

a. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. my [3450. mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

c. speech [3056. logos log'-os from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.] 

d. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

e. my [Strong: 3450. mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

f. preaching [2782 * kerugma] [Strong: from 2784; a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself):--preaching.]

g. was not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

h. with [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

i. enticing [3981 * peithos] [Strong: from 3982; persuasive:--enticing.]

j. words [Strong: 3056. logos log'-os from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.] 

k. man’s [442 * anthropinos] [Strong: from 444; human:--human, common to man, man(-kind), (man-)kind, men's, after the manner of men.]

l. wisdom [4678 * Sophia] [Strong: from 4680; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.]

1). If the gospel we preach is just with enticing words of man’s wisdom, and no signs and wonders, we have made the gospel “of none effect”. The phrase “of none effect” is the same word used in Philippians 2:7 when it speaks of the LORD God “made himself of no reputation”, it means that God emptied himself to become man. He emptied himself of his Divine abilities of Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence and His Glory to become the form of a servant. When we do not believe signs and wonders are part of the gospel we empty the gospel of its power.

a). 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

2. “…but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. in [1722 * en] [Strong: [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

c. demonstration [585 * apodeixis] [Zodhiates: manifestation, demonstration, proof.] [Strong: from 584; manifestation:--demonstration.]

d. Spirit [4151 * pneuma] [Strong: from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.]

e. power [1411 * dunamis] [Strong: from 1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.]

1). What is proof of the Spirit and power? It is signs and wonders!

a). Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

(1)  In a court of law if I testify, I am giving my side of the story, I am supporting or contradicting what someone else has said. In this verse it says that God was giving testimony concerning what Paul and Barnabas were speaking boldly about, that is, the word of his grace.

b). Romans 15:18, 19 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.