'Not in persuasive words of wisdom'? Paul's rhetoric in 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:16

Paul's rhetoric in 1 Corinthians has been the focus of scholarly argument, but not much attention is paid to his inconsistent attitude towards rhetoric. Although Paul shows a refined rhetorical skill in his discourse, he is critical of rhetoric when he states that his proclamation of the gospel is not in persuasive words. Such deprecation of rhetoric was not unfamiliar to the people of Paul's time as can be seen in philosophers and orators who responded to public critique of rhetorical manipulation by dissociating themselves from it. And why does Paul deny that he speaks "in persuasive words of wisdom"? The dominant opinion has been that Paul was critical of using rhetoric in Christian proclamation because the Corinthians so much cherished it. But considering the apparent level of education of the Corinthians---"not many of you were wise by human standards" (1 Cor 1:26)---it is unlikely that they were rhetorically skilled. Rather Paul appears to respond to the Corinthians' doubt about his using rhetoric while at the same time persuading them to set aside their spiritual freedom as a sign of factionalism and unite under his authority.;This study argues that it was the Corinthians who preferred spiritually inspired speech and thought that eloquent speech did not contain the power of the Spirit. Paul, then, was the person who favored rhetoric and was criticized by them for his rhetorical skill. In the digression of 1 Cor 1:18--2:16 Paul attempts to prove himself agreeable to the Corinthian congregation by denying the persuasive power of rhetoric in his proclamation and claiming to demonstrate the spirit. Yet Paul's emphasis on intelligible speech in 1 Cor 12 and 14 contradicts this apparent preference for spiritual power over eloquent speech in 1:18--2:16. This confirms that Paul's criticism of rhetoric is a rhetorical device necessary to prepare the audience to accept his direction.