2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1
Text of 2 Corinthians 1:20-24 on Uncial 081 or Codex Tischendorfianus II, written in 6th century.
Book Second Epistle to the Corinthians
Bible part New Testament
Order in the Bible part 8
Category Pauline epistles

2 Corinthians 1 is the first chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Saint Timothy.[1][2]

Text

Structure

The New King James Version organises this chapter as follows:

Greeting

New King James Version

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:[3]

Timothy’s name is also associated with Paul's name in the Epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, both of those written to the Thessalonians, and in that to Philemon.[4]

Preface

Paul's preface to his letter begins in 2 Corinthians 1:3 with a thanksgiving to God the "father of mercies" (Greek: ο πατηρ των οικτιρμων, ho pater tov oiktirmon), a Jewish term frequently used in prayer.[5] The plural ('mercies') generates a strong sense of God's many mercies alongside God's merciful nature; James uses a similar expression, (Greek: ο πατηρ των φωτων ho pater tov photon, the father of lights), in James 1:17.[4]

Sparing the Church

Paul outlines his aborted plans to travel to Corinth on his way to Macedonia, return to Corinth and then travel to Judea.[6] The letter does not indicate where he is writing from, or would have been travelling from. Easton's Bible Dictionary suggests "it was probably written at Philippi, or, as some think, Thessalonica".[7]

New King James Version

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.[8]

This is a reason or argument proving what is before said, that "in" Christ "was yea", since "all the promises of God in him are yea"; and shows, that God has made many promises to his people: mention is here made of "promises", and of "all" the promises; or, as the words may be rendered, "as many promises of God". There are some which concern the temporal good of the saints; as that they shall not want any good thing; and though they shall be attended with afflictions, these shall work for their good, and they shall be supported under them. Others concern their spiritual good; some of which relate to God himself, that he will be their God, which includes his everlasting love, his gracious presence, and divine protection. Others relate to Christ as their surety and Saviour, by whom they are, and shall be justified and pardoned, in whom they are adopted, and by whom they shall be saved with an everlasting salvation: and others relate to the Spirit of God, as a spirit of illumination, faith, comfort, strength, and assistance, and to supplies of grace by him from Christ: and others concern everlasting life and happiness, and are all of them very ancient, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; are exceeding great and precious, suited to the various cases of God's people; are free and unconditional, immutable and irrevocable, and will all of them have their certain accomplishment. These promises are all "in" Christ; with and in whom could they be but in him, since he only existed when they were made, which was from everlasting? with and in whom should they be of right, but in him with whom the covenant, which contains these promises, were made, and who undertook the accomplishment of them? where could they be safe and secure but in him, in whose hands are the persons, grace, and glory of his people? not in Adam, nor in angels, nor in themselves, only in him. Moreover, these promises are "in him yea",[9]

  • and in Him Amen;

they are like the Gospel which exhibits them, consistent, and all of a piece; like the covenant which contains them, and is ordered in all things, and sure; and like the author of them, whose faithfulness and loving-kindness to his in Christ shall never fail; and like Christ himself, in whom they are, who is "the amen, the true and faithful witness, the same today, yesterday, and for ever"; by whose blood, the covenant, and all the promises of it, are ratified and confirmed, and in whom, who is the truth of them, they are all fulfilled. And these are[9]

  • to the glory of God through us;

these serve to illustrate and advance the glory of God, when they are preached by us, and held forth by us in the Gospel, just as they are in Christ, free, absolute, and unconditional; and when they are received "by us" as believers in Christ; for the stronger we are in the faith of the promises, the more glory we give to God; faith by laying hold on, and embracing the promises, glorifies the veracity, faithfulness, power, and grace of God. The Syriac version puts the "Amen" into this last clause, and reads it thus, "therefore by him we give Amen to the glory of God".[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House. 1962.
  2. ↑ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012
  3. ↑ 2 Corinthians 1:1
  4. 1 2 Lias, J. J.,Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on 2 Corinthians 1, accessed 25 August 2017
  5. ↑ Gill, J., Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on 2 Corinthians 1, accessed 26 August 2017
  6. ↑ 2 Corinthians 1:16
  7. ↑ Easton, M. G., Second Epistle to the Corinthians, in Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
  8. ↑ 2 Corinthians 1:20
  9. 1 2 3 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, - 2 Corinthians 1:20
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