2 Corinthians 1NKJV
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2 Corinthians1

New King James Version

1Paul, 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:

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 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.

5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

6Now 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.

7And 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.

8For 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.

9Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

10who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

11you 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 many.

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

13For 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

14(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.

15And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit—

16to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

17Therefore, 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?

18But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

19For 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.

20For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

22who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

24Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

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