The Bliss of Extra-Gospel Ignorance

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling. And my speech and my message were not plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Primacy of the Gospel

The apostle Paul turns to the problems in the Corinthian church, which can only be corrected by a return to the gospel. He presents an extreme view: anything outside the gospel is not necessary to know. This is an example of extra-gospel ignorance—the kind we should embrace. To know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified is one of the greatest places a Christian can be.

This does not mean deficiency. Knowing the gospel thoroughly equips us completely. We are not talking about ignoring physics or chemistry. The gospel gives value to all subjects, revealing God as Creator and the summation of all things in Christ. Anything outside the gospel is pointless without it.

Compare the gospel to Aristotle, Socrates, modern psychology, or philosophy. The Greek word for wisdom here, sophia, can refer to worldly or demonic wisdom, or biblical wisdom that gives meaning. Philosophy is good if determined by theology, but if it determines theology, it becomes extra-gospel and pointless.

Paul's Simple Proclamation

Paul did not proclaim the mysteries of God with lofty speech or difficult arguments. He came not with eloquence that overwhelms but with the gospel in terms anyone could understand, allowing it to revolutionize lives. He let the content speak for itself.

In Acts, Paul reasoned and persuaded, but always with the gospel as the content—testifying that Jesus is the Christ. This focus brought opposition because the gospel persuades. Every problem—sin, suffering, circumstances—finds its solution in the gospel alone, not clever terminology.

For Corinth's divisions—"I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos"—the solution is recognizing the gospel as the power of God unto salvation. Secondary issues fade when we see our weakness and the gospel's superiority.

Weakness and Power

Paul determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. This was not deficiency but power—the power of God to change lives meaningfully, to the glory of God.

We start with the gospel and let it determine meaning. If something has no meaning compared to the gospel, we determine not to know it. This is not ascetic isolation but gospel-centered living.

Paul's ignorance of all else impacted him deeply: he was with them in weakness, fear, and much trembling. His speech demonstrated the Spirit's power, not human wisdom. The gospel moved him reverentially, causing physical trembling before its divine magnificence.

Psalm 130: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Forgiveness does not breed flippancy but fear and reverence, motivating holiness. Understanding God judging our sin in Christ should stir fear and trembling, not license to sin.

Not Missing Out

If all we know is Christ and him crucified, we miss nothing. Faith rests not in human wisdom but God's power. Churches attracting with gimmicks build faith on extras, not the gospel. People's faith then rests on personalities or programs, not Christ.

The gospel changes lives permanently. Practical advice devoid of gospel—like much modern counseling or Jehovah's Witnesses' teachings—offers mere steps without power. Biblical counseling relies on the gospel, not Freudian or Rogerian methods.

You don't need "Jeremy" or any human method; you need the gospel. It permeates all—youth group, church, life. Paul demonstrated its power through the Spirit.

Gospel Depth and Transformation

True wisdom sees reality as God does, rooted in the gospel. The rest of 1 Corinthians—spiritual gifts, marriage, Lord's Supper—stems from it. Jesus' disciples were transformed post-resurrection by the gospel and Spirit, boldly proclaiming despite prior failure.

Galatians: It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

The Scriptures present the gospel so vividly, it's as if we witness Christ's crucifixion—our sins judged so we are innocent. Does it impact you?

Is there enough gospel in your life to impress, convict, and change you? If lives seem unchanged despite Scripture, it's not the gospel's failure but our neglect.

Closing Considerations

Paul's testimony is trustworthy; the gospel is untainted by philosophy or myth. Follow his example: determine to know nothing except Christ crucified. It increases knowledge and revolutionizes life.

Be gospel-centered. Compare beliefs and activities to it: Does it advance or detract? The gospel transforms—such were some of you, but you were washed, sanctified, justified.

Cultivate healthy respect for the gospel. If not deeply impacted, the solution is more gospel. More gospel means less sin, greater hatred of it, and motivation to glorify God. Let faith rest in the power of God in the gospel.