We do not know why Paul uses two such similar words as speech and message. Perhaps he does it simply for emphasis. If this is true, the translator must decide whether, in his own language, emphasis is not better conveyed by a single, strong expression. If there is any difference in meaning between the two expressions, the word for speech may, as in verse 1, refer to Paul’s reasoned argument (compare Acts 18.4). Message, on the other hand, refers more specifically to his preaching about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Revised English Bible translates the second term as “proclamation.” In languages that do not have a passive form of the verb, one can render the first part of this verse as “and I did not teach and preach the Good News with…,” or “and I did not use … as I taught and preached the Good News.”
The Greek words translated in plausible words of wisdom raise some serious problems. The first point is that “human” (Good News Bible) is almost certainly not in the original text; it was added by some scribes here to make the meaning clear, perhaps in the light of “human wisdom” in verse 6. Good News Bible added it for the same reason. Out of many other forms of the Greek text, the most likely ones may be translated (1) “by persuasive words of wisdom” and (2) “by persuasion of wisdom.” There is little difference of meaning between these two. (1) is probably the most correct form of the text, but the adjective translated “persuasive” is found nowhere else in Greek literature. It is formed, however, in the same way as certain other Greek adjectives. Plausible words of wisdom may also be rendered as “skillful (or, clever) words that so-called educated people use.”
The words that are translated in demonstration of the Spirit and of power may be connected in various ways. Good News Bible, like many commentators and translators, understands of the Spirit and of power to be what is called a hendiadys. This is a figure of speech in which two words, connected by “and,” are used to express a single idea. The Concise Oxford Dictionary (sixth edition) gives as an example of hendiadys in current English the phrase “nice and warm.” So in this verse the Spirit and … power can mean “the power of God’s Spirit” (Good News Bible). Good News Bible adds the word “God’s” to show more clearly what Revised Standard Version means by Spirit with a capital S. Capital letters cannot be heard when a text is read aloud, so Good News Bible‘s rendering is better. Revised English Bible, however, does not see here a direct reference to the Holy Spirit and translates “it carried conviction by spiritual power.” This is less likely in view of references to the Holy Spirit in verses 10-15.
The whole phrase, in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, may be understood in two main ways: (1) “proof of the fact that God’s Spirit was powerfully at work,” or (2) “proof that is based on the fact that God’s Spirit is powerfully at work.” (2) appears to suit the context better. The activity of God’s Spirit was self-evident; it needed nothing else to prove it. Paul’s message was proved to be true by signs that God’s Spirit was powerfully at work. It is in this way that most modern translations understand the text, though some express this interpretation more clearly than others. Among the clearest are Moffatt (Moffatt), “the proof supplied by the Spirit and its power,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, “they [my word and preaching] were a demonstration made by the power of the Spirit.”
Translators should avoid using a word for “proof” (Good News Bible) which suggests a logical or mathematical demonstration that has nothing to do with faith. That is why Good News Bible uses the phrase “convincing proof” to translate a single Greek word. It may have been perfectly clear to believers that God’s Spirit was at work, but there were other people who thought that the whole thing was “nonsense” (1.23), just as there were people on the day of Pentecost who thought the apostles were drunk (Acts 2.13).
The final clause of this verse may be restructured in the following way: “… but rather my teaching and preaching were attended with signs that convinced people that God’s Spirit was working powerfully.”
The Greek preposition en occurs in both halves of this verse and is repeated in verse 5. Revised Standard Version translates it as in. A more probable meaning is “with” (Good News Bible) or “by means of” in verse 4, and “on” or “on the basis of” in verse 5. Translators should avoid giving the impression that “the power of God’s Spirit” (Good News Bible) is just a tool in Paul’s hands. Perhaps one could say “I did not preach and teach using skillful words of human wisdom, but God proved my preaching and teaching to be true by the power of his Spirit.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .