Paul rose above all this. The Corinthians wanted Paul to preach with eloquence like the skilled orators they enjoyed listening to, but Paul refused (1 Cor. 1:17). They wanted a preacher who would give them the best of human wisdom, but Paul gave them the opposite. He actually limited his words because he didn’t want to diminish the cross of its power. He wanted their faith to rest on the Spirit’s power (2:1–5). They wanted a Christian celebrity they could all praise (2 Cor. 11), but Paul refused to let it be about him. He gave them what they needed and what was best for them rather than what
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