Oratory

Oratory

“Even though I am unlearned in speech I am not unlearned in knowledge; on the contrary, we have always manifested it to you in all things.” 2 Cor. 11:6.

It sounds strange that Paul, who sat at Gamaliel’s feet, should be unlearned in speech, but in the Swedish translation it says, “Even though I am inexperienced as an orator, yet I am not in questions of knowledge.”

Oratory is something that a vain person esteems highly; not only in the world but also among religious people. Without oratorical skills a person doesn’t have many opportunities for advancement in the denominations. When you read reports about speeches, this phrase is not so uncommon: “The well-rounded speech.” Through their rhetoric people seek glory for themselves, which is the same as speaking from themselves. John 7:18.

They usually read a small passage of scripture from the Bible; then they take out a sentence or a word and speak about it, continually repeating the same word or the same sentence, raising or lowering their voice suitably. This is supposed to be oratory, the one trying to outdo the other. Meetings and conferences are often nothing more than competitions in oratory.

People are fooled by oratory; if they reflect on what they have actually learned from the speech and what was actually said, they wouldn’t be able to tell you. It was an anointed speech, but when they came home, they were just as empty. There was no food in the speech for the inner man.

Paul was “inexperienced as an orator.” He had not practiced it. If you want to be a capable orator you have to exercise yourself in it, and to be able to do that, you have to be powerfully in the flesh. Paul did not do any such thing. He had no intention of competing in that area. He competed in a totally different area. He preached the gospel to them free of charge. No one could deny him this boasting in the regions of Achaia. By denying himself and sacrificing himself, he put all these orators to shame. 2 Cor. 11:10-13; Acts 20:33-35.

The Word of God is the seed. Revivals that are the result of oratory are like the seed that fell on stony ground. But a revival that is the result of God’s Word being spoken in demonstration of the Spirit and power is fruit that lasts.

May God raise up many more in these days who can follow Paul.