Paul Greets the Corinthians
(Acts 18:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3)
In the first century, letters usually started with...
In the first century, letters usually started with the writer's name and the recipient's name, followed by a greeting (see Acts 15:23; 23:25–26). Paul follows this pattern.
Paul emphasizes his role as an apostle. His position as God's chosen representative to establish the church had been questioned in Corinth.
In the first century, letters usually started with the writer's name and the recipient's name, followed by a greeting (see Acts 15:23; 23:25–26). Paul follows this pattern.
Paul emphasizes his role as an apostle. His position as God's chosen representative to establish the church had been questioned in Corinth.
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The God of All Comfort
Paul now expresses joyful thanks. He is happy...
Paul now expresses joyful thanks. He is happy that, despite many troubles, God has given him special comfort (1:4–7) and saved him from death in Asia (1:8–11).
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
Suffering helps Christ's servants understand and empathize with...
Suffering helps Christ's servants understand and empathize with others. Paul is not a distant pastor; he connects with the people he serves.
4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
6If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. 7And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.
dear brothers: The Greek word adelphoi is a...
dear brothers: The Greek word adelphoi is a traditional term of affection for family members, both male and female.
the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia: The trouble faced in the province of Asia is hard to pinpoint. One suggestion is the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41). Another is that Paul was tried in a civil court and faced possible execution in Ephesus (2 Corinthians 1:9; see 1 Corinthians 15:32). It is less likely that he suffered a severe life-threatening illness. Paul often faced mortal danger (2 Corinthians 1:10; see also 4:10–12; 6:9; 11:23), but he was wonderfully rescued by divine help (1:11).
dear brothers: The Greek word adelphoi is a traditional term of affection for family members, both male and female.
the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia: The trouble faced in the province of Asia is hard to pinpoint. One suggestion is the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41). Another is that Paul was tried in a civil court and faced possible execution in Ephesus (2 Corinthians 1:9; see 1 Corinthians 15:32). It is less likely that he suffered a severe life-threatening illness. Paul often faced mortal danger (2 Corinthians 1:10; see also 4:10–12; 6:9; 11:23), but he was wonderfully rescued by divine help (1:11).
8We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia.† We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.
10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
Paul’s Change of Plans
People criticized Paul's travel plans and his broken...
People criticized Paul's travel plans and his broken promise to visit Corinth. They accused him of being unreliable, like those who say "Yes" but mean "No" (1:17). Before addressing this accusation, he explains his motives in his ministry and letters.
12For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly† wisdom, but in the grace of God. 13For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely, 14as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.†
Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1...
Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1 Corinthians 16:5, he hoped to visit Corinth after going through Macedonia. He had promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Corinthians 7:8) on his way north. Now, he had to return to the original plan, and the earlier visit, which would have brought a double blessing, would not happen after all.
15Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing. 16I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to return to you from Macedonia, and then to have you help me on my way to Judea.
17When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”?
But as surely as God is faithful: God...
But as surely as God is faithful: God is faithful, so we can trust him, His promises in Christ, and his work through the apostles.
Paul's enemies in Corinth had already attacked his...
Paul's enemies in Corinth had already attacked his character, calling him unreliable and deceitful (1:17). They then accused his entire message of being uncertain. In these verses, Paul responds to that accusation.
18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus† and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” 20For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.
God enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed Paul's...
God enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed Paul's ministry, equipping him for his work.
both us and you: The Holy Spirit identifies all believers as God's own (literally sealed). The Holy Spirit is God's gift to his people (see Romans 8:1–27; Galatians 3:2–7; 5:5–6, 16–26; Ephesians 1:13–14).
a pledge of what is to come: A pledge is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).
God enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed Paul's ministry, equipping him for his work.
both us and you: The Holy Spirit identifies all believers as God's own (literally sealed). The Holy Spirit is God's gift to his people (see Romans 8:1–27; Galatians 3:2–7; 5:5–6, 16–26; Ephesians 1:13–14).
a pledge of what is to come: A pledge is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).
21Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
God as my witness: This mild oath shows...
God as my witness: This mild oath shows he is telling the truth (see 1 Samuel 12:5; 20:12; Job 16:19; compare Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 3:35; 1 Kings 2:23; Jeremiah 42:5). Paul changed his travel plans to avoid giving them a severe rebuke (2 Corinthians 1:23) and to prevent another painful visit (2:1).
23I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.