John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. That your faith should not stand , etc.] Or be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. The Spirit of God directed him, and he under his influence chose, and by his assistance pursued this way of preaching, with this view, and for this reason, that faith in Christ, and in the doctrines of his Gospel, which comes by hearing, might not be attributed to the force of human eloquence and oratory; or stand upon so sandy a foundation, as that which might, if that was the case, be puffed away by a superior flow and force of words; but that it might be ascribed, as it ought to be, to almighty power, stand in it, be supported by it, and at last be finished and fulfilled with it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Christ, in his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum an substance of the gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospe minister's preaching, but not so as to leave out other parts of God' revealed truth and will. Paul preached the whole counsel of God. Fe know the fear and trembling of faithful ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient they are, and are fearfu for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is plainly preached the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying the word and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.
Greek Textus Receptus
ινα 2443 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF πιστις 4102 N-NSF υμων 5216 P-2GP μη 3361 PRT-N η 5600 5753 V-PXS-3S εν 1722 PREP σοφια 4678 N-DSF ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM αλλ 235 CONJ εν 1722 PREP δυναμει 1411 N-DSF θεου 2316 N-GSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:5 {That your faith should not stand} (hina he pistis humwn me ei). Purpose of God, but me ei is "not be" merely. The only secure place for faith to find a rest is in God's power, not in the wisdom of men. One has only to instance the changing theories of men about science, philosophy, religion, politics to see this . A sure word from God can be depended on.
