Ministry of Grace Church

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Truth to Learn

Christ’s crucifixion is the central theme of Christianity.

Behind the Words

“Determined” is translated from the Greek verb krinō, which literally means “to discriminate between good and evil,” that is “to judge, to choose, or to select.”

The words “to know” are from the verb eidō. It literally means “to see with perception.” In its most common usage it refers to understand mentally, that is “to know.”

“Anything” is from the Greek indefinite article ti, which means “someone, some thing, or a certain thing.”

The expression “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” is constructed such that it places the emphasis on “Him crucified.” It could be literally translated as “except Jesus Christ and this one as crucified.” The central theme of Paul’s gospel message is not just Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but the fact that He was crucified to pay the penalty for our sins.

Meaning Explained

As we discussed in yesterday’s verse, the Apostle Paul was not known for his eloquent style of preaching but for simply and plainly declaring the good news about Jesus Christ. Today we learn that at some time in the past Paul made a conscious decision to preach the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Notice that he did not say “Jesus and Him crucified.” He was not focused on the humanity of Jesus, but His divinity. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed King who, as part of the Godhead, was the creator of all that is. And, as the Messiah, He is the one promised to come and save the world.

The Jews expected their Messiah would come as a conquering King who would free them from oppression. However, He came instead as a humble servant who was condemned to death and was crucified because He claimed to be the Son of God. This is precisely why the Jews find Him to be a “stumbling block,” and the great philosophical minds of the day considered Paul’s message to be foolishness:

but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, (1 Corinthians 1:23)

Christ’s crucifixion was the central theme of Paul’s preaching, but he did not preach only the crucifixion; He preached the whole Word of God, knowing that there is much more to the Christian life than just Christ’s death on the cross:

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11)

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)

how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, … (Acts 20:20).

It is of vital importance to preach the crucifixion of Christ, but that is only the beginning of the Christian experience.

Application

Fortunately, there are still many churches today that preach the salvation message. Unfortunately, there are still churches where that is the only thing being proclaimed. There is much to know about being a Christian beyond salvation.