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2 Corinthians 1:1-24 King James Version (KJV)

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

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

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

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

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

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

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

12 For our rejoicing 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 had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

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

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

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

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Paul, G3972 an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by G1223 the will G2307 of God, G2316 and G2532 Timothy G5095 our brother, G80 unto the church G1577 of God G2316 which G3588 is G5607 at G1722 Corinth, G2882 with G4862 all G3956 the saints G40 which G3588 are G5607 in G1722 all G3650 Achaia: G882

2 Grace G5485 be to you G5213 and G2532 peace G1515 from G575 God G2316 our G2257 Father, G3962 and G2532 from the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547

3 Blessed G2128 be God, G2316 even G2532 the Father G3962 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 the Father G3962 of mercies, G3628 and G2532 the God G2316 of all G3956 comfort; G3874

4 Who G3588 comforteth G3870 us G2248 in G1909 all G3956 our G2257 tribulation, G2347 that G1519 we G2248 may be able G1410 to comfort G3870 them which are in G1722 any G3956 trouble, G2347 by G1223 the comfort G3874 wherewith G3739 we G3870 ourselves G846 are comforted G3870 of G5259 God. G2316

5 For G3754 as G2531 the sufferings G3804 of Christ G5547 abound G4052 in G1519 us, G2248 so G3779 our G2257 consolation G3874 also G2532 aboundeth G4052 by G1223 Christ. G5547

6 And G1161 whether G1535 we be afflicted, G2346 it is for G5228 your G5216 consolation G3874 and G2532 salvation, G4991 which G3588 is effectual G1754 in G1722 the enduring G5281 of the same G846 sufferings G3804 which G3739 we G2249 also G2532 suffer: G3958 or whether G1535 we be comforted, G3870 it is for G5228 your G5216 consolation G3874 and G2532 salvation. G4991

7 And G2532 our G2257 hope G1680 of G5228 you G5216 is stedfast, G949 knowing, G1492 that G3754 as G5618 ye are G2075 partakers G2844 of the sufferings, G3804 so G3779 shall ye be also G2532 of the consolation. G3874

8 For G1063 we would G2309 not, G3756 brethren, G80 have G50 you G5209 ignorant G50 of G5228 our G2257 trouble G2347 which G3588 came G1096 to us G2254 in G1722 Asia, G773 that G3754 we were pressed G2596 out G916 of measure, G5236 above G5228 strength, G1411 insomuch G5620 that we G2248 despaired G1820 even G2532 of life: G2198

9 But G235 G846 we had G2192 the sentence G610 of death G2288 in G1722 ourselves, G1438 that G3363 we should G3982 not G3363 trust G3982 in G1909 ourselves, G1438 G5600 but G235 in G1909 God G2316 which G3588 raiseth G1453 the dead: G3498

10 Who G3739 delivered G4506 us G2248 from G1537 so great G5082 a death, G2288 and G2532 doth deliver: G4506 in G1519 whom G3739 we trust G1679 that G3754 he will G4506 G2532 yet G2089 deliver G4506 us;

11 Ye G5216 also G2532 helping together G4943 by prayer G1162 for G5228 us, G2257 that G2443 for the gift G5486 bestowed upon G1519 us G2248 by G1537 the means of many G4183 persons G4383 thanks may be G2168 given G5228 by G1223 many G4183 on our behalf. G2257

12 For G1063 our G2257 rejoicing G2746 is G2076 this, G3778 the testimony G3142 of our G2257 conscience, G4893 that G3754 in G1722 simplicity G572 and G2532 godly G2316 sincerity, G1505 not G3756 with G1722 fleshly G4559 wisdom, G4678 but G235 by G1722 the grace G5485 of God, G2316 we have had our conversation G390 in G1722 the world, G2889 and G1161 more abundantly G4056 to G4314 you-ward. G5209

13 For G1063 we write G1125 none G3756 other things G243 unto you, G5213 than G235 G2228 what G3739 ye read G314 or G2228 G2532 acknowledge; G1921 and G1161 I trust G1679 G3754 ye shall acknowledge G1921 even G2532 to G2193 the end; G5056

14 As G2531 also G2532 ye have acknowledged G1921 us G2248 in G575 part, G3313 that G3754 we are G2070 your G5216 rejoicing, G2745 even as G2509 ye G5210 also G2532 are ours G2257 in G1722 the day G2250 of the Lord G2962 Jesus. G2424

15 And G2532 in this G5026 confidence G4006 I was minded G1014 to come G2064 unto G4314 you G5209 before, G4386 that G2443 ye might have G2192 a second G1208 benefit; G5485

16 And G2532 to pass G1330 by G1223 you G5216 into G1519 Macedonia, G3109 and G2532 to come G2064 again G3825 out of G575 Macedonia G3109 unto G4314 you, G5209 and G2532 of G5259 you G5216 to be brought on my way G4311 toward G1519 Judaea. G2449

17 When I G1011 therefore G3767 was G1011 thus G5124 minded, G1011 did I use G3385 G686 G5530 lightness? G1644 or G2228 the things that G3739 I purpose, G1011 do I purpose G1011 according G2596 to the flesh, G4561 that G2443 with G3844 me G1698 there should be G5600 yea G3483 yea, G3483 and G2532 nay G3756 nay? G3756

18 But G1161 as God G2316 is true, G4103 G3754 our G2257 word G3056 toward G4314 you G5209 was G1096 not G3756 yea G3483 and G2532 nay. G3756

19 For G1063 the Son G5207 of God, G2316 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 who G3588 was preached G2784 among G1722 you G5213 by G1223 us, G2257 even by G1223 me G1700 and G2532 Silvanus G4610 and G2532 Timotheus, G5095 was G1096 not G3756 yea G3483 and G2532 nay, G3756 but G235 in G1722 him G846 was G1096 yea. G3483

20 For G1063 all G3745 the promises G1860 of God G2316 in G1722 him G846 are yea, G3483 and G2532 in G1722 him G846 Amen, G281 unto G4314 the glory G1391 of God G2316 by G1223 us. G2257

21 Now G1161 he which stablisheth G950 us G2248 with G4862 you G5213 in G1519 Christ, G5547 and G2532 hath anointed G5548 us, G2248 is God; G2316

22 Who G3588 hath G4972 also G2532 sealed G4972 us, G2248 and G2532 given G1325 the earnest G728 of the Spirit G4151 in G1722 our G2257 hearts. G2588

23 Moreover G1161 I G1473 call G1941 God G2316 for a record G3144 upon G1909 my G1699 soul, G5590 that G3754 to spare G5339 you G5216 I came G2064 not as yet G3765 unto G1519 Corinth. G2882

24 Not G3756 for that G3754 we have dominion over G2961 your G5216 faith, G4102 but G235 are G2070 helpers G4904 of your G5216 joy: G5479 for G1063 by faith G4102 ye stand. G2476


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 American Standard (ASV)

1 Paul, 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:

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 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.

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

6 But 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:

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

8 For 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:

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

10 who 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;

11 ye 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.

12 For our glorifying 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.

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

14 as 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.

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

16 and 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.

17 When 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?

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

19 For 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.

20 For 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.

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

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

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

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


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

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

3 Blessed `is' God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the mercies, and God of all comfort,

4 who is comforting us in all our tribulation, for our being able to comfort those in any tribulation through the comfort with which we are comforted ourselves by God;

5 because, as the sufferings of the Christ do abound to us, so through the Christ doth abound also our comfort;

6 and whether we be in tribulation, `it is' for your comfort and salvation, that is wrought in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer; whether we are comforted, `it is' for your comfort and salvation;

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

8 For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, of our tribulation that happened to us in Asia, that we were exceedingly burdened above `our' power, so that we despaired even of life;

9 but we ourselves in ourselves the sentence of the death have had, that we may not be trusting on ourselves, but on God, who is raising the dead,

10 who out of so great a death did deliver us, and doth deliver, in whom we have hoped that even yet He will deliver;

11 ye working together also for us by your supplication, that the gift through many persons to us, through many may be thankfully acknowledged for us.

12 For our glorying is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we did conduct ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you;

13 for no other things do we write to you, but what ye either do read or also acknowledge, and I hope that also unto the end ye shall acknowledge,

14 according as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that your glory we are, even as also ye `are' ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus;

15 and in this confidence I was purposing to come unto you before, that a second favour ye might have,

16 and through you to pass to Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and by you to be sent forward to Judea.

17 This, therefore, counselling, did I then use the lightness; or the things that I counsel, according to the flesh do I counsel, that it may be with me Yes, yes, and No, no?

18 and God `is' faithful, that our word unto you became not Yes and No,

19 for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, among you through us having been preached -- through me and Silvanus and Timotheus -- did not become Yes and No, but in him it hath become Yes;

20 for as many as `are' promises of God, in him `are' the Yes, and in him the Amen, for glory to God through us;

21 and He who is confirming you with us into Christ, and did anoint us, `is' God,

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

23 And I for a witness on God do call upon my soul, that sparing you, I came not yet to Corinth;

24 not that we are lords over your faith, but we are workers together with your joy, for by the faith ye stand.


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, and the brother Timotheus, to the assembly of God which is in 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 compassions, and God of all encouragement;

4 who encourages us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever, through the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged of God.

5 Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound.

6 But whether we are in tribulation, [it is] for your encouragement and salvation, wrought in the endurance of the same sufferings which *we* also suffer,

7 (and our hope for you [is] sure;) or whether we are encouraged, [it is] for your encouragement and salvation: knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also of the encouragement.

8 For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our tribulation which happened [to us] in Asia, that we were excessively pressed beyond [our] power, so as to despair even of living.

9 But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not have our trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

10 who has delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we confide that he will also yet deliver;

11 ye also labouring together by supplication for us that the gift towards us, through means of many persons, may be the subject of the thanksgiving of many for us.

12 For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you.

13 For we do not write other things to you but what ye well know and recognise; and I hope that ye will recognise to the end,

14 even as also ye have recognised us in part, that we are your boast, even as *ye* [are] ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And with this confidence I purposed to come to you previously, that ye might have a second favour;

16 and to pass through to Macedonia by you, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be set forward by you to Judaea.

17 Having therefore this purpose, did I then use lightness? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to flesh, that there should be with me yea yea, and nay nay?

18 Now God [is] faithful, that our word to you is not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he who has been preached by us among you (by me and Silvanus and Timotheus), did not become yea and nay, but yea *is* in him.

20 For whatever promises of God [there are], in him is the yea, and in him the amen, for glory to God by us.

21 Now he that establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, [is] God,

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

23 But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you I have not yet come to Corinth.

24 Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand.


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 World English Bible (WEB)

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 also are you of the comfort.

8 For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} 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 bestowed on 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 toward 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 toward you was not "Yes and no."

19 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 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 Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.


2 Corinthians 1:1-24 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Timothy the brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

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

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

4 Who gives us comfort in all our troubles, so that we may be able to give comfort to others who are in trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For as we undergo more of the pain which Christ underwent, so through Christ does our comfort become greater.

6 But if we are troubled, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which takes effect through your quiet undergoing of the same troubles which we undergo:

7 And our hope for you is certain; in the knowledge that as you take part in the troubles, so you will take part in the comfort.

8 For it is our desire that you may not be without knowledge of our trouble which came on us in Asia, that the weight of it was very great, more than our power, so that it seemed that we had no hope even of life:

9 Yes, we ourselves have had the answer of death in ourselves, so that our hope might not be in ourselves, but in God who is able to give life to the dead:

10 Who gave us salvation from so great a death: on whom we have put our hope that he will still go on to give us salvation;

11 You at the same time helping together by your prayer for us; so that for what has been given to us through a number of persons, praise may go up to God for us from all of them.

12 For our glory is in this, in the knowledge which we have that our way of life in the world, and most of all in relation to you, has been holy and true in the eyes of God; not in the wisdom of the flesh, but in the grace of God.

13 For in our letters we say no other things to you, but those which you are reading, and to which you give agreement, and, it is my hope, will go on doing so to the end:

14 Even as you have been ready, in part, to say that we are your glory, in the same way that you are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And being certain of this, it was my purpose to come to you before, so that you might have a second grace;

16 And by way of Corinth to go into Macedonia, and from there to come back again to you, so that you might send me on my way to Judaea.

17 If then I had such a purpose, did I seem to be changing suddenly? or am I guided in my purposes by the flesh, saying, Yes, today, and, No, tomorrow?

18 As God is true, our word to you is not Yes and No.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we were preaching among you, even I and Silvanus and Timothy, was not Yes and No, but in him is Yes.

20 For he is the Yes to all the undertakings of God: and by him all the words of God are made certain and put into effect, to the glory of God through us.

21 Now he who makes our faith strong together with you, in Christ, and has given us of his grace, is God;

22 And it is he who has put his stamp on us, even the Spirit, as the sign in our hearts of the coming glory.

23 But God is my witness that it was in pity for you that I did not come to Corinth at that time.

24 Not that we have authority over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy: for it is faith which is your support.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 1

After the introduction (v. 1, 2) the apostle begins with the narrative of his troubles and God's goodness, which he had met with in Asia, by way of thanksgiving to God (v. 3-6), and for the edification of the Corinthians (v. 7-11). Then he attests his and his fellow-labourers' integrity (v. 12-14), and afterwards vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy (v. 15-24).

2Cr 1:1-2

This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have,

  • I. The inscription; and therein,
    • 1. The person from whom it was sent, namely, Paul, who calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. The apostleship itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God; and Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God. He joins Timotheus with himself in writing this epistle; not because he needed his assistance, but that out of the mouth of two witnesses the word might be established; and this dignifying Timothy with the title of brother (either in the common faith, or in the work of the ministry) shows the humility of this great apostle, and his desire to recommend Timothy (though he was then a young man) to the esteem of the Corinthians, and give him a reputation among the churches.
    • 2. The persons to whom this epistle was sent, namely, the church of God at Corinth: and not only to them, but also to all the saints in all Achaia, that is, to all the Christians who lived in the region round about. Note, In Christ Jesus no distinction is made between the inhabitants of city and country; all Achaia stands upon a level in his account.
  • II. The salutation or apostolical benediction, which is the same as in his former epistle; and therein the apostle desires the two great and comprehensive blessings, grace and peace, for those Corinthians. These two benefits are fitly joined together, because there is no good and lasting peace without true grace; and both of them come from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the procurer and dispenser of those benefits to fallen man, and is prayed to as God.

2Cr 1:3-6

After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory (v. 3-6); and it is fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be glorified. Observe,

  • I. The object of the apostle's thanksgiving, to whom he offers up blessing and praise, namely, the blessed God, who only is to be praised, whom he describes by several glorious and amiable titles.
    • 1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: ho Theos kai pateµr tou Kyriou heµmoµn Ieµsou Christou. God is the Father of Christ's divine nature by eternal generation, of his human nature by miraculous conception in the womb of the virgin, and of Christ as God-man, and our Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and through him as Mediator our God and our Father, Jn. 20:17. In the Old Testament we often meet with this title, The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, to denote God's covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the New Testament God is styled the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to denote his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his spiritual seed. Gal. 3:16.
    • 2. The Father of mercies. There is a multitude of tender mercies in God essentially, and all mercies are from God originally: mercy in his genuine offspring and his delight. He delighteth in mercy, Mic. 7:18.
    • 3. The God of all comfort; from his proceedeth the COMFORTER, Jn. 15:26. He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, v. 22. All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him.
  • II. The reasons of the apostle's thanksgivings, which are these:-
    • 1. The benefits that he himself and his companions had received from God; for God had comforted them in all their tribulations, v. 4. In the world they had trouble, but in Christ they had peace. The apostles met with many tribulations, but they found comfort in them all: their sufferings (which are called the sufferings of Christ, v. 5, because Christ sympathized with his members when suffering for his sake) did abound, but their consolation by Christ did abound also. Note,
      • (1.) Then are we qualified to receive the comfort of God's mercies when we set ourselves to give him the glory of them.
      • (2.) Then we speak best of God and his goodness when we speak from our own experience, and, in telling others, tell God also what he has done for our souls.
    • 2. The advantage which others might receive; for God intended that they should be able to comfort others in trouble (v. 4), by communicating to them their experiences of the divine goodness and mercy; and the sufferings of good men have a tendency to this good end (v. 6) when they are endued with faith and patience. Note,
      • (1.) What favours God bestows on us are intended not only to make us cheerful ourselves, but also that we may be useful to others.
      • (2.) If we do imitate the faith and patience of good men in their afflictions, we may hope to partake of their consolations here and their salvation hereafter.

2Cr 1:7-11

In these verses the apostle speaks for the encouragement and edification of the Corinthians; and tells them (v. 7) of his persuasion or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by the troubles he and his companions in labour and travel had met with, that their faith should not be weakened, but their consolations increased. In order to this he tells them,

  • 1. What their sufferings had been (v. 8): We would not have you ignorant of our trouble. It was convenient for the churches to know what were the sufferings of their ministers. It is not certain what particular troubles in Asia are here referred to; whether the tumult raised by Demetrius at Ephesus, mentioned Acts 19, or the fight with beasts at Ephesus, mentioned in the former epistle (ch. 15), or some other trouble; for the apostle was in deaths often. This however is evident, that they were great tribulations. They were pushed out of measure, to a very extraordinary degree, above the common strength of men, or of ordinary Christians, to bear up under them, insomuch that they despaired even of life (v. 8), and thought they should have been killed, or have fainted away and expired.
  • 2. What they did in their distress: They trusted in God. And they were brought to this extremity in order that they should not trust in themselves but in God, v. 9. Note, God often brings his people into great straits, that they may apprehend their own insufficiency to help themselves, and may be induced to place their trust and hope in his all-sufficiency. Our extremity is God's opportunity. In the mount will the Lord be seen; and we may safely trust in God, who raiseth the dead, v. 9. God's raising the dead is a proof of his almighty power. He that can do this can do any thing, can do all things, and is worthy to be trusted in at all times. Abraham's faith fastened upon this instance of the divine power: He believed God who quickeneth the dead, Rom. 4:17. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust in God, who can bring back not only from the gates, but from the jaws, of death.
  • 3. What the deliverance was that they had obtained; and this was seasonable and continued. Their hope and trust were not in vain, nor shall any who trust in him be ashamed. God had delivered them, and did still deliver them, v. 10. Having obtained help of God, they continued to that day, Acts 26:22.
  • 4. What use they made of this deliverance: We trust that he will yet deliver us (v. 10), that God will deliver to the end, and preserve to his heavenly kingdom. Note, Past experiences are great encouragements to faith and hope, and they lay great obligations to trust in God for time to come. We reproach our experiences if we distrust God in future straits, who hath delivered as in former troubles. David, even when a young man, and when he had but a small stock of experiences, argued after the manner of the apostle here, 1 Sa. 17:37.
  • 5. What was desired of the Corinthians upon this account: That they would help together by prayer for them (v. 11), by social prayer, agreeing and joining together in prayer on their behalf. Note, our trusting in God must not supersede the use of any proper and appointed means; and prayer is one of those means. We should pray for ourselves and for one another. The apostle had himself a great interest in the throne of grace, yet he desires the help of others' prayers. If we thus help one another by our prayers, we may hope for an occasion of giving thanks by many for answer of prayer. 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.

2Cr 1:12-14

The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as well as for the more comfortably trusting in God (Heb. 13:18), and for the necessary vindication of himself from the aspersions of some persons at Corinth, who reproached his person and questioned his apostleship. Here,

  • I. He appeals to the testimony of conscience with rejoicing (v. 12), in which observe,
    • 1. The witness appealed to, namely, conscience, which is instead of a thousand witnesses. This God's deputy in the soul, and the voice of conscience is the voice of God. They rejoiced in the testimony of conscience, when their enemies reproached them, and were enraged against them. Note, The testimony of conscience for us, if that be right and upon good grounds, will be matter of rejoicing at all times and in all conditions.
    • 2. The testimony this witness gave. And here take notice, Conscience witnessed,
      • (1.) Concerning their conversation, their constant course and tenour of life: by that we may judge of ourselves, and not by this or that single act.
      • (2.) Concerning the nature or manner of their conversation; that it was in simplicity and godly sincerity. This blessed apostle was a true Israelite, a man of plain dealing; you might know where to have him. He was not a man who seemed to be one thing and was another, but a man of sincerity.
      • (3.) Concerning the principle they acted from in all their conversation, both in the world and towards these Corinthians; and that was not fleshly wisdom, nor carnal politics and worldly views, but it was the grace of God, a vital gracious principle in their hearts, that cometh from God, and tendeth to God. Then will our conversation be well ordered when we live and act under the influence and command of such a gracious principle in the heart.
  • II. He appeals to the knowledge of the Corinthians with hope and confidence, v. 13, 14. Their conversation did in part fall under the observation of the Corinthians; and these knew how they behaved themselves, how holily, and justly, and unblamably; they never found any thing in them unbecoming an honest man. This they had acknowledged in part already, and he doubted not but they would still do so to the end, that is, that they would never have any good reason to think or say otherwise of him, but that he was an honest man. And so there would be mutual rejoicing in one another. We are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. Note, It is happy when ministers and people do rejoice in each other here; and this joy will be complete in that day when the great Shepherd of the sheep shall appear.

2Cr 1:15-24

The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose of coming to them at Corinth. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this handle to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. Now, for his justification,

  • I. He avers the sincerity of his intention (v. 15-17), and he does this in confidence of their good opinion of him, and that they would believe him, when he assured them he was minded, or did really intend, to come to them, and that with the design, not that he might receive, but that they might receive a second benefit, that is, a further advantage by his ministry. He tells them that he had not herein used lightness (v. 17), that, as he aimed not at any secular advantage to himself (for his purpose was not according to the flesh, that is, with carnal views and aims), so it was not a rash and inconsiderate resolution that he had taken up, for he had laid his measures thus of passing by them to Macedonia, and coming again to them from Macedonia in his way to Judea (v. 16), and therefore they might conclude that it was for some weighty reasons that he had altered his purpose; and that with him there was not yea yea, and nay nay, v. 17. He was not to be accused of levity and inconstancy, nor a contradiction between his words and intentions. Note, Good men should be careful to preserve the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve but upon mature deliberation, and they will not change their resolves but for weighty reasons.
  • II. He would not have the Corinthians to infer that his gospel was false or uncertain, nor that it was contradictory in itself, nor unto truth, v. 18, 19. For if it had been so, that he had been fickle in his purposes, or even false in the promises he made of coming to them (which he was not justly to be accused of, and so some understand his expression, v. 18, Our word towards you was not yea and nay), yet it would not follow that the gospel preached not only by him, but also by others in full agreement with him, was either false or doubtful. For God is true, and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is true. The true God, and eternal life. Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached, is not yea and nay, but in him was yea (v. 19), nothing but infallible truth. And the promises of God in Christ are not yea and nay, but yea and amen, v. 20. There is an inviolable constancy and unquestionable sincerity and certainty in all the parts of the gospel of Christ. If in the promises that the ministers of the gospel make as common men, and about their own affairs, they see cause sometimes to vary from them, yet the promises of the gospel covenant, which they preach, stand firm and inviolable. Bad men are false; good men are fickle; but God is true, neither fickle nor false. The apostle, having mentioned the stability of the divine promises, makes a digression to illustrate this great and sweet truth, that all the promises of God are yea and amen. For,
    • 1. They are the promises of the God of truth (v. 20), of him that cannot lie, whose truth as well as mercy endureth for ever.
    • 2. They are made in Christ Jesus (v. 20), the Amen, the true and faithful witness; he hath purchased and ratified the covenant of promises, and is the surety of the covenant, Heb. 7:22.
    • 3. They are confirmed by the Holy Spirit. He does establish Christians in the faith of the gospel; he has anointed them with his sanctifying grace, which in scripture is often compared to oil; he has sealed them, for their security and confirmation; and he is given as an earnest in their hearts, v. 21, 22. An earnest secures the promise, and is part of the payment. The illumination of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, The veracity of God, the mediation of Christ, and the operation of the Spirit, are all engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the seed, and the accomplishment of them shall be to the glory of God (v. 20) for the glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing truth and faithfulness.
  • III. The apostle gives a good reason why he did not come to Corinth, as was expected, v. 23. It was that he might spare them. They ought therefore to own his kindness and tenderness. He knew there were things amiss among them, and such as deserved censure, but was desirous to show tenderness. He assures them that this is the true reason, after this very solemn manner: I call God for a record upon my soul-a way of speaking not justifiable where used in trivial matters; but this was very justifiable in the apostle, for his necessary vindication, and for the credit and usefulness of his ministry, which was struck at by his opposers. He adds, to prevent mistakes, that he did not pretend to have any dominion over their faith, v. 24. Christ only is the Lord of our faith; he is the author and finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:2. He reveals to us what we must believe. Paul, and Apollos, and the rest of the apostles, were but ministers by whom they believed (1 Co. 3:5), and so the helpers of their joy, even the joy of faith. For by faith we stand firmly, and live safely and comfortably. Our strength and ability are owing to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith.