2 Corinthians 11:6 – “I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul addresses one of the criticisms that had been made against him—his lack of impressive speaking skills. The false teachers in Corinth were skilled speakers, likely trained in the art of rhetoric, which was highly valued in Greek culture. In contrast, Paul acknowledges that he is “untrained as a speaker” (some translations say “unskilled in speech”).

However, Paul does not back down. He makes it clear that, while he may not be a polished orator, he has something far more important—true knowledge of God and the gospel. He reminds the Corinthians that his message has been consistently clear and truthful.

Paul’s humility here is striking. He does not deny his limitations, but he also does not allow them to discredit his ministry. He knows that the power of the gospel does not depend on human eloquence but on the truth of God’s Word. His confidence comes not from his speaking ability but from the depth of his knowledge of Christ.

Historical Context

The Corinthians lived in a culture that valued philosophy, debate, and public speaking. In ancient Greece, great emphasis was placed on rhetoric—the ability to persuade and impress an audience with eloquence. Skilled speakers were often seen as more credible and authoritative, regardless of the actual truth of their message.

Paul did not fit this mold. He had not been trained in Greek rhetorical methods, and his speaking style did not match what people expected from a respected teacher. Because of this, some Corinthians looked down on him, especially when false teachers came in with polished speeches and grand claims of spiritual superiority.

However, Paul had something the false teachers lacked—a deep, firsthand knowledge of the truth. His authority did not come from his speaking ability but from his calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

1. God’s power is not dependent on human skill – The effectiveness of the gospel does not rest on how impressive a speaker is, but on the truth of the message and the work of the Holy Spirit.
2. True spiritual authority comes from knowledge of God’s truth, not from outward appearance – The false teachers impressed people with their words, but Paul’s authority came from his deep relationship with Christ.
3. Humility in leadership is a mark of a true servant of God – Paul did not try to compete with others in terms of skill or showmanship. Instead, he remained faithful to teaching the truth clearly and honestly.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s statement here contrasts human expectations with divine truth. The Corinthians expected their teachers to be eloquent and refined, but Paul intentionally shifts the focus from skill to substance.

• The phrase “untrained as a speaker” is Paul acknowledging his human limitation.
• The phrase “but I do have knowledge” is his direct defense—what truly matters is not how well he speaks, but whether he knows and proclaims the truth.
• The phrase “we have made this perfectly clear” emphasizes that Paul and his co-workers have been transparent, honest, and straightforward in their teaching.

Paul’s writing here is both humble and confident. He does not deny his weaknesses, but he does not let them define his ministry. His confidence is rooted in God’s calling and the truth of the gospel.

Biblical Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 1:17 – Paul says that Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross be emptied of its power.
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – Paul reminds the Corinthians that he did not come with eloquence or human wisdom, but with a simple message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
• Exodus 4:10-12 – Moses also felt unqualified as a speaker, but God reminded him that it is God who gives the ability to speak.
• Matthew 10:19-20 – Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about what to say, for the Spirit of God will speak through them.
• 2 Corinthians 4:7 – Paul says that we have this treasure in jars of clay, meaning that human weakness highlights the power of God.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a great encouragement for anyone who feels inadequate in sharing their faith. Many people hesitate to talk about Jesus because they don’t feel like they have the right words or are afraid of saying something wrong. But Paul’s example shows that eloquence is not what matters—truth is what matters.

God can use anyone to share His message, regardless of their speaking ability. What matters most is having a deep knowledge of Christ and a willingness to share the truth clearly and honestly.

This also serves as a warning not to judge spiritual leaders by outward appearances. Just because someone is a dynamic speaker does not mean they are preaching the truth. It is important to test everything against God’s Word and look for faithfulness to Scripture, not just impressive speech.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He chooses and uses people. He does not pick those who are the most talented, persuasive, or outwardly impressive—He picks those who are faithful to Him.

Paul’s story is a testimony to God’s grace. Despite Paul’s lack of polished speech, God used him powerfully to spread the gospel and establish churches. This shows that God’s love is not based on human ability but on His calling and purpose.

This also highlights God’s love for truth. He is not interested in performance or popularity—He wants His people to know the real gospel, not a polished but empty version of it.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus Himself was often rejected because He did not fit the expectations people had for a powerful leader.

• Isaiah 53:2-3 – The prophecy about Jesus says that He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him.
• John 7:15 – People were amazed that Jesus taught with wisdom, even though He had not been formally trained.
• Luke 4:22-30 – Jesus’ own hometown rejected Him because they could not accept that someone so ordinary could be the Messiah.

Just as people dismissed Paul for not being eloquent, many rejected Jesus because He did not fit their idea of what a leader should look like. But true authority comes from God’s calling and truth, not from human expectations.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever felt like you were not good enough to share your faith? How does Paul’s example encourage you?
2. Why do you think people are often more impressed by eloquence and charisma than by truth?
3. What does this verse teach us about what really matters in ministry?
4. How can you grow in your knowledge of Christ, so that you can share the gospel with confidence?
5. How does this verse challenge the way we evaluate spiritual leaders today?