A frequent misinterpretation views this verse as condemning all use of reason, study, or articulate communication in ministry, promoting an anti-intellectual stance that dismisses apologetics or preparation; in reality, Paul critiques dependence on manipulative 'man's wisdom' devoid of spiritual power, as he himself used logic and rhetoric elsewhere when empowered by the Spirit, not rejecting wisdom outright.
I Corinthians 2:4
King James Version (1769)
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:
Paul declares that his preaching avoided persuasive human eloquence or philosophical sophistication, relying instead on the Holy Spirit's demonstrable power to authenticate the message, ensuring that listeners' faith would be grounded in God's dynamic work rather than intellectual appeal, highlighting the superiority of divine authority in conveying eternal truths.