2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1 offers a deep dive into the apostolic life of Paul and the Christian experience, emphasizing comfort amid affliction and the strengthening of church relations. Paul discusses his hardships and the consolation provided by God, which is shared among believers, setting a tone of resilience and mutual support throughout the epistle.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2 (NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul introduces himself and Timothy, highlighting his apostolic authority and the divine will behind his mission. He extends a greeting of grace and peace to the Corinthians and all believers in Achaia, reflecting a customary but profound wish for divine blessings and tranquility from God and Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Paul praises God for His merciful nature and His role as the source of all comfort. This comfort is not only a personal relief but also a tool for ministry, enabling believers to comfort others with the same divine consolation they have received, thereby creating a cycle of comfort within the community of faith.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NKJV) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Paul links the sufferings of believers directly to the sufferings of Christ, indicating that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they also share abundantly in His comfort and consolation. This connection assures believers that their trials are both purposeful and redemptive.

2 Corinthians 1:6 (NKJV) Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Paul explains that his own afflictions serve a communal purpose: they provide consolation and facilitate salvation for the Corinthians, helping them endure similar hardships. His comfort similarly aids them, underscoring the interconnectedness of their spiritual experiences and growth.

2 Corinthians 1:7 (NKJV) And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Paul expresses unwavering hope for the Corinthians, founded on the principle that sharing in sufferings ensures sharing in comfort. This mutual experience of hardship and relief strengthens communal bonds and fosters a resilient hope among believers.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NKJV) For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

Paul shares candidly about the extreme trials he faced in Asia, highlighting the severity to the point of despairing for life. This experience taught him to rely not on his own strength but on God, particularly God’s power to resurrect, which metaphorically applies to dire situations needing divine intervention.

2 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

Paul testifies to God’s past, present, and future deliverance from deadly peril. His trust in God’s continued protection provides a model of faith for the Corinthians, emphasizing God’s ongoing role as a deliverer in times of extreme adversity.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (NKJV) you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through the prayers of many.

Paul acknowledges the Corinthians' prayers as crucial support, suggesting that their intercessory prayers contribute to the blessings he receives. This collective gratitude towards God, fueled by the prayers of many, strengthens communal ties and enhances the spiritual unity of the church.

2 Corinthians 1:12 (NKJV) For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

Paul asserts that his clear conscience and straightforward conduct, guided not by worldly wisdom but by divine grace, are his reasons for pride. This behavior applies especially in his dealings with the Corinthians, emphasizing integrity and transparency in his apostolic ministry.

2 Corinthians 1:13-14 (NKJV) For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul reassures the Corinthians that his messages are straightforward and hopes for their complete understanding. He reflects on the mutual pride they share in each other, looking forward to the Day of the Lord when their reciprocal appreciation and support will be fully recognized.

2 Corinthians 1:15-16 (NKJV) And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

Paul explains his previous travel plans, which were made with confidence in their mutual benefit. His intention was to visit them twice, providing them with double the blessing while also receiving their assistance as he traveled onward to Judea.

2 Corinthians 1:17 (NKJV) Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be "Yes, Yes" and "No, No"?

Paul defends his sincerity and the seriousness with which he made his plans, questioning whether they think he makes decisions frivolously or based on worldly considerations. He emphasizes the consistency and reliability of his words and actions.

2 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NKJV) But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.

Paul reaffirms the steadfastness of his message and ministry, rooted in the faithfulness of God. The message of Jesus Christ, delivered by Paul and his companions, is consistent and affirmative, reflecting the unchanging truth of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Every promise from God finds its affirmation in Christ, and through Him, the church says "Amen," signifying agreement and faith. This dynamic glorifies God, illustrating how divine promises are fulfilled and affirmed through the apostolic witness.

2 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

In this verse, Paul emphasizes God's role in strengthening and confirming the believers' commitment to their faith in Christ. The term "establishes" reflects the idea of making firm or stable, suggesting that their faith is continuously nurtured and supported by God. Paul also notes that they have been "anointed" by God, a metaphor deriving from the Old Testament practice where kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of God's blessing and appointment. This anointing signifies that believers are set apart for divine purposes, imbued with the Holy Spirit, and equipped for ministry and holy living.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

In this verse, Paul discusses two significant actions that God has taken on behalf of believers. First, he states that God has "sealed" them, an imagery that conveys protection and ownership. A seal in ancient times was used to secure and authenticate documents or goods, signifying ownership and safeguarding the contents. In the spiritual context, this sealing by God indicates His claim over believers' lives and His commitment to protect their salvation.

Secondly, Paul mentions that God has given believers the Holy Spirit "in our hearts as a guarantee." The term "guarantee" refers to a down payment or earnest money that is part of a legal agreement, assuring the completion of the transaction. Here, the Holy Spirit is described as the divine pledge or down payment of the believers' future inheritance in heaven, affirming God’s promise of eternal life and unbroken fellowship with Him. This presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives is a continual source of comfort, guidance, and assurance of God's ongoing work and the certainty of their salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV) Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

Paul invokes God as a witness to his motives, explaining that his decision to delay visiting Corinth was to spare them potential hardship or confrontation, highlighting his pastoral care and concern for their well-being.

2 Corinthians 1:24 (NKJV) Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

He clarifies that his role is not to dominate their faith but to work alongside them to foster their joy in the faith. This partnership is based on the principle that their spiritual standing is maintained through faith, emphasizing mutual respect and encouragement in their spiritual journey.