Gr. krinō, denotes a conscious act of the will. Here it means “to resolve,” “to make a definite decision.” Paul’s decision as to his new method of labor was not an idea of the moment, but a carefully thought-out plan formed before going to Corinth. At Athens the apostle had used scholarly argumentation and philosophy to combat the heathen idolatry of the Greeks. His efforts had met with little success. As he reviewed his experience at Athens, he decided to adopt a different method of preaching in Corinth. He planned to avoid learned discussions and detailed arguments and to present the simple story of Jesus and His atoning death (see AA 244).

 The phrase reads literally, “except Jesus Christ and this one [as] crucified.” Paul preached Christ crucified in spite of the fact that the idea of a crucified Saviour was an offense to both Jews and Greeks (see on ch. 1:23).