For I determined not to know anything among you
This was a resolution the apostle entered into before he came
among them, that though he was well versed in human literature,
and had a large compass of knowledge in the things of nature, yet
would make known nothing else unto them, or make anything else
the subject of his ministry,
save Christ, and him crucified:
he had a spiritual and experimental knowledge of Christ himself,
and which he valued above all things else; and this qualified him
to make him known to others; and which knowledge he was very
willing and ready to communicate by preaching the Gospel, which
is the means of making known Christ as God's salvation to the
souls of men; and on this subject he chiefly insisted, and in
which he took great delight and pleasure; he made known the
things respecting the person of Christ, as that he was God, the
Son of God, and truly man. God and man in one person; the things
respecting his office, as that he was the Messiah, the mediator,
prophet, priest, and King, the head, husband, Saviour, and
Redeemer of his church and people; and the things respecting his
work as such, and the blessings of grace procured by him; as that
justification is by his righteousness, pardon by his blood,
peace, reconciliation, and atonement by his sacrifice, and
salvation alone and entirely by him. His determination was to
preach none but Christ; not himself, nor man; nor the power and
purity of human nature, the free will and works of the creature,
but to exclude all and everything from being partners with Christ
in the business of salvation. This was the doctrine he chose in
the first place, and principally, to insist upon, even salvation
by Christ, and him, as
crucified:
that which was the greatest offence to others was the most
delightful to him, because salvation comes through and by the
cross of Christ; and he dwelt upon this, and determined to do so;
it being most for the glory of Christ, and what was owned for the
conversion of sinners, the comfort of distressed minds, and is
suitable food for faith, as he knew by his own experience.