Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 1

Verse 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:

Timotheus our brother — St. Paul writing to Timotheus styled him his son; writing of him, his brother.

Verse 3

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — A solemn and beautiful introduction, highly suitable to the apostolical spirit.

The Father of mercies, and God of all comfort — Mercies are the fountain of comfort; comfort is the outward expression of mercy. God shows mercy in the affliction itself. He gives comfort both in and after the affliction. Therefore is he termed, the God of all comfort. Blessed be this God!

Verse 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.

Who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any affliction — He that has experienced one kind of affliction is able to comfort others in that affliction. He that has experienced all kinds of affliction is able to comfort them in all.

Verse 5

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

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us — The sufferings endured on his account.

So our comfort also aboundeth through Christ — The sufferings were many, the comfort one; and yet not only equal to, but overbalancing, them all.

Verse 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.

And whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation — For your present comfort, your present and future salvation.

Or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort — That we may be the better able to comfort you.

Which is effectual in the patient enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer — Through the efficacy of which you patiently endure the same kind of sufferings with us.

Verse 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.

And our hope concerning you — Grounded on your patience in suffering for Christ’s sake, is steadfast.

Verse 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:

We would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the trouble which befell us in Asia — Probably the same which is described in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts. Acts 19:1 The Corinthians knew before that he had been in trouble: he now declares the greatness and the fruit of it.

We were exceedingly pressed, above our strength — Above the ordinary strength even of an apostle.

Verse 9

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

Yea, we had the sentence of death in ourselves — We ourselves expected nothing but death.

Verse 10

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

We trust that he will still deliver — That we may at length be able to come to you.

Verse 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.

You likewise — As well as other churches.

Helping with us by prayer, that for the gift — Namely, my deliverance.

Bestowed upon us by means of many persons — Praying for it, thanks may be given by many.

Verse 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.

For I am the more emboldened to look for this, because I am conscious of my integrity; seeing this is our rejoicing - Even in the deepest adversity.

The testimony of our conscience — Whatever others think of us.

That in simplicity — Having one end in view, aiming singly at the glory of God.

And godly sincerity — Without any tincture of guile, dissimulation, or disguise.

Not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God — Not by natural, but divine, wisdom.

We have had our conversation in the world — In the whole world; in every circumstance.

Verse 14

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

Ye have acknowledged us in part — Though not so fully as ye will do.

That we are you rejoicing — That ye rejoice in having known us.

As ye also are ours — As we also rejoice in the success of our labours among you; and we trust shall rejoice therein in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Verse 15

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

In this confidence — That is, being confident of this.

Verse 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?

Did I use levity — Did I lightly change my purpose? Do I purpose according to the flesh - Are my purposes grounded on carnal or worldly considerations? So that there should be with me yea and nay - Sometimes one, sometimes the other; that is, variableness and inconstancy.

Verse 18

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

Our word to you — The whole tenor of our doctrine.

Hath not been yea and nay — Wavering and uncertain.

Verse 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.

For Jesus Christ, who was preached by us — That is, our preaching concerning him.

Was not yea and nay — Was not variable and inconsistent with itself.

But was yea in him — Always one and the same, centering in him.

Verse 20

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

For all the promises of God are yea and amen in him — Are surely established in and through him. They are yea with respect to God promising; amen, with respect to men believing; yea, with respect to the apostles; amen, with respect to their hearers.

Verse 21

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

I say, to the glory of God - For it is God alone that is able to fulfil these promises.

That establisheth us — Apostles and teachers.

With you — All true believers. In the faith of Christ; and hath anointed us - With the oil of gladness, with joy in the Holy Ghost, thereby giving us strength both to do and suffer his will.

Verse 22

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

Who also hath sealed us — Stamping his image on our hearts, thus marking and sealing us as his own property.

And given us the earnest of his Spirit — There is a difference between an earnest and a pledge. A pledge is to be restored when the debt is paid; but an earnest is not taken away, but completed. Such an earnest is the Spirit. The first fruits of it we have Romans 8:23; and we wait for all the fulness.

Verse 23

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

I call God for a record upon my soul — Was not St. Paul now speaking by the Spirit? And can a more solemn oath be conceived? Who then can imagine that Christ ever designed to forbid all swearing? That to spare you I came not yet to Corinth - Lest I should be obliged to use severity. He says elegantly to Corinth, not to you, when be is intimating his power to punish.

Verse 24

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

Not that we have dominion over your faith — This is the prerogative of God alone.

But are helpers of your joy — And faith from which it springs.

For by faith ye have stood — To this day. We see the light in which ministers should always consider themselves, and in which they are to be considered by others. Not as having dominion over the faith of their people, and having a right to dictate by their own authority what they shall believe, or what they shall do; but as helpers of their joy, by helping them forward in faith and holiness. In this view, how amiable does their office appear! and how friendly to the happiness of mankind! How far, then, are they from true benevolence, who would expose it to ridicule and contempt!