Settled Policy

Miscellanies post:  Resolved To Know Nothing

1 Corinthians 2:2:

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (NIV)

Anthony C. Thiselton (First Corinthians, NIGTC, p. 211):

Did Paul steadily resolve to empty his mind of everything except the message of the cross? …
As the Greek stands, the act of resolution or of firm, considered decision is qualified by the negative. Paul’s firm, considered policy on which he committed himself was only that which concerned Christ crucified. Whether or not he spoke of anything else would be incidental; to proclaim the crucified Christ, and Christ alone, remains his settled policy. He did not take a vow of excluding everything else, whatever might happen, but he did make a commitment that nothing would compromise the central place of Christ crucified.

David E. Garland (First Corinthians, BECNT, p. 84):

Paul is not anti-intellectual, but he does oppose intellectual vanity. He did not come to them as a know-it-all or compose speeches fishing for admiration. On the contrary, he was content to be identified as a know-nothing who preached foolishness: Jesus Christ crucified. But announcing the gospel was his sole focus, and the cross molded his entire message and his whole approach. … Jesus Christ can only be preached as the crucified one, and no one can preach Christ crucified to win personal renown.

May each of us resolve to center our lives upon Jesus Christ and him crucified in 2011.

Happy New Year!