2 Corinthians Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort.
8 For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.
9 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,
10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;
11 you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly towards you.
13 For we write no other things to you than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end,
14 as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit,
16 and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.
17 When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the "Yes, yes" and the "No, no?"
18 But as God is faithful, our word towards you was not "Yes and no."
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached amongst you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "Yes and no," but in him is "Yes."
20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen", to the glory of God through us.
21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn't come to Corinth to spare you.
24 We don't control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
Footnotes
- Verse 8 (Brothers)
- The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
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2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Guide
The second letter to the Corinthians was evidently the outcome of the first. The apostle opened with the usual introduction, laying emphasis on his apostleship by the will of God, coupled with the salutation of grace. He wrote of a great trouble through which he had passed, and rejoiced in the comfort that had come to him, and, still more, in the ability to comfort others that had come to him from his experience.
Speaking of God as the "God of comfort," he said that experience of divine comfort in affliction enables us to comfort others. He tenderly recognized the aid afforded him by the prayers of the Corinthians, speaking of his deliverance as their gift to him.
It is evident that some in Corinth had charged him with fickleness of purpose in that he had not come to them as he had intimated he would do. Against this charge he now vindicated himself. He told them why he had not come to them. It was out of love for them; he wanted to spare them, and called God as witness. Yet immediately the apostle is careful to say that he had no lordship over their faith, that his only purpose was to minister to their joy, and that their standing was in faith, not in anything that he might say or do.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The apostle blesses God for comfort in, and deliverance out of troubles. -- (1-11)
- He professes his own and his fellow-labourers' integrity. -- (12-14)
- Gives reasons for his not coming to them. -- (15-24)
Verses 1-11
We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to ourselves and others.
Verses 12-14
Though, as a sinner, the apostle could only rejoice and glory in Christ Jesus, yet, as a believer, he might rejoice and glory in being really what he professed. Conscience witnesses concerning the steady course and tenor of the life. Thereby we may judge ourselves, and not by this or by that single act. Our conversation will be well ordered, when we live and act under such a gracious principle in the heart. Having this, we may leave our characters in the Lord's hands, but using proper means to clear them, when the credit of the gospel, or our usefulness, calls for it.
Verses 15-24
The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure from delusion in so important a matter.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.