How can we rely on God’s grace rather than our own wisdom?

Posted 01 Sep 2026

Having just read 2 Corinthians 1:12 I wondered again, how did the apostle Paul rely on God’s grace rather than on his own human wisdom? After all, isn’t our own wisdom all we have to go on?

In 2 Corinthians 1:12 (NIV) Paul writes: “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.“ [italics added]

Based on 2 Corinthians 1:12 and Paul’s broader ministry, he relied on God’s grace rather than human wisdom by choosing transparent truth over manipulation, and divine power over personal eloquence.

In the ancient Greek world—especially in a bustling, wealthy city like Corinth—“human wisdom” (Greek: sophia) was highly prized. This referred to clever rhetoric, political manoeuvring, and smooth talking used to persuade audiences and gain personal power.

Paul rejected this human approach in several distinct ways:

1. Transparent Truth vs. Clever Manipulation
Human Wisdom: Critics accused Paul of being fickle or using hidden agendas to control the church. Human wisdom dictates using flattery, hidden motives, or strategic deception to get people on your side and to agree with you.

God’s Grace: Paul chose complete transparency. The Greek word for “sincerity” in verse 12 (eilikrineia) means “tested by sunlight” or “pure.” Paul lived his life openly, confident that God’s grace was enough to sustain his reputation, without needing to resort to behind-the-scenes politics & manipulation.

2. Divine Power vs. Human Eloquence
Human Wisdom: Corinthian culture loved polished, professional orators who charged high fees and spoke with grand philosophy. So this attention-grabing oratory was very common, and pervasive, in Corinthian & wider Greek culture. That pervasive atmosphere could easily have influenced and infected the thinking of the early Christians in the Corinthian church, leading them/others to question Paul’s motives.

God’s Grace: Paul deliberately did not rely on flashy speaking skills. As he reminded them in his previous letter, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). He relied on the Holy Spirit to change hearts, not his own speaking skills.

3. Weakness vs. Self-Sufficiency
Human Wisdom: Worldly wisdom teaches self-reliance, boasting in personal credentials, wealth, and strength.

God’s Grace: Paul boastfully leaned into his weaknesses, anxieties, and hardships…something ancient and modern people (Christians included) are often unwilling to do! He knew that when he was weak, God’s grace was perfectly displayed. Later in this same letter, he highlights this (in relation to Paul’s “thorn in his side”) by quoting God’s promise to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It takes a very mature and pure Christian to boast about their weaknesses, rather than boasting about their strengths. Social media is full of the latter, but almost devoid of the former!

4. Integrity vs. People-Pleasing
Human Wisdom: A strategist operating by human wisdom changes their message based on what the crowd wants to hear to avoid conflict. This might include bending the truth, omitting facts in favour of what will be accepted, or other such manipulation. Modern political rhetoric at its worst.

God’s Grace: Paul preached the scandalous message of a crucified Messiah. It wasn’t what people wanted to hear, but he relied on God’s grace to provide him with the courage to speak the raw truth, regardless of the personal cost or backlash from his listeners.

So, in conclusion, no, our own wisdom is definitely not all we have to go on! God’s grace is definitely sufficient to meet all our needs, even, and especially, when we are talking to someone about Jesus the Christ. Their response may be positive or negative, welcoming or hostile (Paul experienced both, often!). But someone’s response to hearing about Jesus is NOT our issue. We can’t control someone else’s response to our words. But it is vitally important that we do tell others about Jesus, and rely on God’s grace to plant a seed of hope in the other person’s heart, and, God willing, they will think about what we have shared, and come to know Jesus for themselves. We need the kind of courage that the apostle Paul displayed when talking to other people about Jesus… I know I need that… please Lord God.

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