1Paul saluteth the Corinthians; 3and blesseth God for the comforts and deliverances given him, not solely for his own sake, but for the comfort and encouragement of others also. 8He telleth them of a deliverance he had lately had from a great danger in Asia, and expresseth his trust in God's protection for the future through their prayers. 12He calleth both his own conscience and theirs to witness his sincerity in preaching the gospel; 15and excuseth his not coming to them, as not proceeding from lightness, 23but from lenience toward them.
1PAUL, 1an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and 2Timothyaour brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all 3Achaia:
1 About the name of Paul, his apostleship and this whole apostolic salutation, see the exposition on Rom. 1:1, 7 and 1 Cor. 1:1, 2, 3.
2 Forasmuch as Timothy was sent by him earlier to Corinth, and now was returned unto him again, by whom he was informed of the state of the congregation, here he joins him with him to procure him the more repute with them, as in the first epistle he had also joined Sosthenes with him by the same title of brother, 1 Cor. 1:1. See also 1 Cor. 16:10, 11.
a Philip. 1:1.
3 This is the name of a principal province in Greece, in which Corinth was situated, and was the head thereof. See 1 Cor. 1:2.
2Gracebbe to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
b Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; 1 Peter 1:2.
3Blessedcbe 4God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
c Eph. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3.
4 That is, God, Who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Cor. 15:24.
5 That is, Who Himself is very merciful towards us, and the Author of all mercy and consolation in us.
4Whod6comforteth 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.
d 2 Cor. 7:6.
6 Namely, by His Word and by His Spirit, as Christ promises, John 14:16.
5Fore as 7the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so 8our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
e Psalm 34:19; 94:19.
7 That is, which we suffer for Christ’s sake; or, that we suffer as members of Christ, after the example of Christ, Who accounts the sufferings, which are put upon His members, as His own, Acts 9:4; Rom. 8:17; Col. 1:24. Or, the suffering.
8 Namely, wherewith we ourselves are comforted; and consequently also receive the suitability to comfort others better. See verse 4.
6And whether we be afflicted, it is 9for your consolation and salvation, whichf is 10effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is 11for your consolation and salvation.
9 Namely, not only because you would be strengthened by our example, but also because thereby we get more matter and experience to comfort and to strengthen you. See the annotations on Col. 1:24.
f 2 Cor. 4:17.
10 That is, is brought about. Or, which is powerful by patience. For patience works experience of God’s help and faithfulness, and consequently also hope of salvation, Rom. 5:3, 4.
11 Namely, because we are being comforted, you also rejoice about it, and therefore we also are more capable to comfort you, and to advance your salvation.
7And our hope 12of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
12 Gr. over you.
813For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble whichg came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, 14above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
13 Here the apostle begins to come to the treatise of the matter itself, and relates the first cause that hindered him from coming to them, namely, the exceeding great affliction in Asia, whereof we read in Acts 19.
g Acts 19:23, etc.
14 That is, so grievously that we would have fainted under it, were it not that the Lord had wonderfully strengthened us, and kept us by His power as is declared in the two following verses.
9But we had the sentence of death 15in ourselves, thath we should not trust in ourselves, but in God 16which raiseth the dead:
15 That is, we had already made the consideration that we would not escape.
h Jer. 17:5, 7.
16 That is, Who then is much more able to deliver them, who are in danger of death, by the same power.
10Whoi delivered us 17from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
i 1 Cor. 15:31.
17 That is, out of so great a danger of death, Exod. 10:17.
11Yej also helping together by prayer for us, thatk for 18the gift bestowed upon us by the means 19of many persons 20thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
j Rom. 15:30; Philip. 1:19.
k 2 Cor. 4:15.
18 That is, the gracious deliverance.
19 That is, by the intercession of many.
20 Namely, who before had prayed for us. For thanksgiving must follow upon the answer of prayers.
12For 21our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and 22godly sincerity, not with 23fleshly wisdom, but 24by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and 25more abundantly to you-ward.l
21 The apostle speaks thus to prevent the slanders of the false apostles, who sought to make the apostle suspect of unsteadfastness in his promises, and of rashness in all his dealings, because, according to his promise at the end of the previous epistle, he was not yet come over unto them.
22 That is, which God requires of us, and whereof God is a Witness.
23 That is, deceitful, such as carnal people were wont to use, and amongst them also the false apostles, to deceive others, and to further their own honor and profit.
24 That is, in the power and sincere wisdom, which God imparts in grace.
25 Or, most of all. Paul says this not as if he had been less upright elsewhere, but in respect of the long time which he had been among them more than in other congregations, Acts 18:11.
l toward you.
13For we write none other things unto you, than what ye 26read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
26 Namely, by my word and conduct when I was among you. Or, know, namely, in the epistle written to you, which is clear and simple.
14As also ye have acknowledged us 27in part, that we are 28your rejoicing, evenm as ye also are 29ours 30in the day of the Lord Jesus.
27 The apostle says this either in respect of the best part who always acknowledged this willingly, or also in respect of the entire congregation who had already amended some faults upon his previous writing, as appears from chapters 2 and 7; although they yet did lend too much ear to some, who esteemed too much outward respect and worldly wisdom.
28 That is, that we are your teachers of whom you glory, and by whom you acknowledge that you were brought to Christ.
m Philip. 2:16; 1 Thes. 2:19.
29 Namely, of whom we glory in Christ that we have brought you to the knowledge and communion of Christ, and by whom you are adorned with many spiritual gifts.
30 That is, at the last day, when Christ shall appear to judge everyone’s actions; to which Paul adds to show that this rejoicing, by him and by them, was not carnal or vain, but well grounded, and would be approved by Christ Himself at the last day.
15Andn31in this confidence 32I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have 33a second benefit;
n 1 Cor. 16:5.
31 Namely, that you are in such esteem with me, and I was with you.
32 Namely, according to my writing, 1 Cor. 16:5, 6, 7.
33 That is, might be more and more strengthened by me in the grace and gifts of Christ, wherewith you were already graced in my first coming unto you.
16And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and 34of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
34 That is, by some of you thereunto appointed.
17When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose 35according to the flesh, that with me there should be 36yea yea, and nay nay?
35 That is, after the manner of carnal men; or, out of carnal considerations which are unsteady, and come easily to be altered, 2 Cor. 10:3.
36 That is, saying and denying; or, saying and not doing that which one says.
18But as 37God is true, 38our word toward you was noto39yea and nay.
37 A manner of speech, when one wants to testify something strongly; and is as much as if he would say: As true as God is faithful, such is our word, etc. Or, God who is faithful knows that, etc.
38 Namely, which was preached unto you by us. For in these five following verses, the apostle first disproves the conclusion of the false teachers, who, because the apostle seemed not to have kept this promise of coming to them, would conclude from this that therefore his entire preaching was infirm and not to be relied upon. But unto the promise itself of coming to them, he answers hereafter, verses 23, 24.
o Mat. 5:37; James 5:12.
39 That is, infirm and uncertain, as men, who now say yea, now nay, about one and the same thing, are unsteady and uncertain in their words and deeds.
19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, 40was not yea and nay, but 41in him was yea.
40 Namely, in our preaching. As Christ, the Savior, is not changeable, but yesterday, today and forever the same, Heb. 13:8, as such He was preached by us in no other terms, and the same Gospel of Christ has always been propounded by us to the congregation. See Gal. 1:7, 8, 9.
41 Namely, God. For, as he had called Him the Son of God, so he testifies also that Christ is yea, that is, steadfastness and truth in God, or in God’s promises, which are only truth and firmness, as is declared in the following verse.
20For all the promises of God 42in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God 43by us.
42 Namely, in Christ Jesus; for, even as Christ is always the same in God’s promises, which are unchangeable, so are all God’s promises of our salvation yea, that is, truth, and amen, that is, certainty and firmness in Christ, because in the New Covenant God neither makes nor fulfills any promises of salvation but in Christ, and through Christ. See John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph. 1:3, etc.
43 That is, by the ministry of us, apostles and teachers, who in this our doctrine also must know none but Christ and Him crucified, 1 Cor. 2:2; Col. 2:9, 10, etc.
21Now he which 44stablisheth us with you 45in Christ, and hath 46anointed us, is God;
44 Namely, in the truth.
45 That is, to seek the fruit and virtue of all God’s promises in Christ, and through communion with Christ.
46 That is, has endued us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Who is oftentimes in the Scripture compared to oil or pure ointment. See Psalm 45:7; Acts 4:27; 10:38; 1 John 2:20, 27.
22Whop hath also 47sealed us, and given 48the earnestq of the Spirit in our hearts.
p Rom. 8:16; 2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13; 4:30.
47 That is, as assured with the impression of His seal, namely, of our communion with Christ, and consequently of our adoption to be children and to be heirs of God, Rom. 8:15, 16; 1 Cor. 2:12.
48 Gr. arrhabon, which word, as also arrha, signifies properly an earnest, which is a part or beginning of the future good which is promised and assured us; as anyone has some ready money for a beginning and assurance of the payment which is promised. See 2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14. The first gift of the Spirit and of life is an earnest of our total inheritance. So that this anointing, sealing, and giving earnest, serve to one and the same end. But this account of this benefit serves this purpose: to show that the same becomes always more powerful and more sure in our hearts.
q pledge, security, deposit*
23Moreoverr I call God for a record 49upon my soul, that 50to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
r Rom. 1:9; 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:31; Gal. 1:20; Philip. 1:8; 1 Thes. 2:5; 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:1.
49 Namely, that He punishes it, if I speak not the truth. A right manner of a true oath, which the apostle therefore adjoins, because it is of much importance that his word would not be accounted as infirm.
50 That is, that I might not be constrained to use my apostolic power in punishing the disobedient. See 2 Corinthians 10.
24Nots for that we have 51dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
s 1 Peter 5:3.
51 The apostle speaks thus to mollify what he had said immediately before of not sparing them, of which the sense is, that he did not say this to threaten them, or to conquer them as a lord over them and their faith, but as a minister and co-worker with Christ to bring them to a right acknowledgment and amendment of their faults, and consequently to true joy with him, before he came to them; and so more and more to strengthen their faith in which they stood, as is declared in the beginning of the following chapter.