2 Corinthians 1ASV
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2 Corinthians1

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

4who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.

6But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:

7and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort.

8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:

10who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;

11ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.

12For our glorying 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 to you-ward.

13For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end:

14as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

15And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit;

16and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judaea.

17When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay?

18But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.

20For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.

21Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

22who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.

24Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 1.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: 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).

vv1-11

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.

vv12-14

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.

vv15-24

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.

Cross References

2 Corinthians 1
v5Colossians 1:24thematic

Parallels 'the sufferings of Christ' abounding in believers as members of His body.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v5Acts 9:4thematic

Demonstrates Christ identifying with and calling His people's sufferings His own.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v8Acts 19:23-35thematic

Records the literal riot in Ephesus (Asia) where Paul faced extreme danger of death.

Supported by JFB

v2Romans 1:7thematic

Paul's standard apostolic greeting combining grace and peace from the Father and Son.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Ephesians 1:3thematic

Identical doxological opening: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Supported by John Calvin

Parallels how abundant grace through the prayers of many redounds to thanksgiving.

Supported by JFB

Explicit parallel to being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as an earnest.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Romans 4:17-25thematic

Develops faith in God 'who raiseth the dead' and quickens the dead.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v23Romans 1:9thematic

Paul's identical solemn appeal to God as his witness and record.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Acts 16:1thematic

Historical background of Timothy joining Paul as a close brother in ministry.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Acts 18:12thematic

Mentions Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, confirming the Roman province named here.

Supported by JFB

The original travel plan to pass through Macedonia which Paul was accused of changing.

Supported by JFB

Another instance of Paul calling God to witness his truthfulness to prevent slander.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v11Romans 15:30-32thematic

Paul's earnest appeal for the church to strive together in prayer for his safety.

Supported by Matthew Henry