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Summary

2 Corinthians 1:1–2 – Greeting

What happens: Paul and Timothy greet the church of God in Corinth and all the saints in Achaia. He prays for grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What it means: Paul anchors the letter in God’s grace and peace, which believers need for every trial. God is Father and Jesus is Lord, showing the unity of the Godhead and the source of the church’s life. This sets a tone of dependence and worship.

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 – The God of All Comfort

What happens: Paul blesses God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who comforts believers in every affliction. He explains that their sufferings overflow, but so does Christ’s comfort, equipping them to comfort others. Their endurance strengthens the Corinthians’ hope.

What it means: God is compassionate and near, meeting His people in suffering and turning pain into ministry. Suffering is not wasted; it teaches reliance on God and produces a community of mutual care. This displays God’s mercy and the fellowship of Christ’s body.

2 Corinthians 1:8–11 – Delivered from Deadly Peril

What happens: Paul recounts crushing affliction in Asia, beyond his strength, so that he despaired of life. This forced him to rely on God who raises the dead. God delivered him, and Paul expects further deliverance as the Corinthians pray.

What it means: Human weakness exposes our need for the God who raises the dead. Prayer is real participation in God’s rescue, and thanksgiving multiplies when God answers. God’s power and faithfulness shine when human resources fail.

2 Corinthians 1:12–17 – Integrity and Changed Travel Plans

What happens: Paul defends his conduct as marked by holiness and sincerity from God, not worldly wisdom. He insists his letters are straightforward. He explains that his change of travel plans was not fickle, but made with integrity.

What it means: Christian leadership requires transparent integrity that reflects God’s holiness. Believers speak plainly because the gospel is true. Plans can change without deceit when love and wisdom guide decisions.

2 Corinthians 1:18–22 – God’s Yes in Christ

What happens: Paul says God is faithful, and in Christ every promise is Yes. Through Christ believers say Amen to God’s glory. God establishes believers in Christ, anoints them, sets His seal on them, and gives the Spirit in their hearts as a guarantee.

What it means: God keeps His covenant promises in Jesus, revealing His faithfulness and glory. The Spirit assures believers of their future with God and empowers present obedience. Our Amen is worship that agrees with God’s saving work.

2 Corinthians 1:23–24 – Delaying the Visit to Spare Them

What happens: Paul calls God as witness that he delayed his visit to spare the Corinthians. He clarifies he does not lord it over their faith but works with them for their joy, because they stand firm by faith.

What it means: True shepherds serve for the church’s joy under Christ’s lordship. Faith stands on God, not on human control. God’s care is gentle and wise, aiming to build up rather than to crush.

Application

  • Bless God in trials and look for ways to comfort others with the comfort you receive.
  • Rely on prayer and God’s resurrection power when strength runs out.
  • Practice transparent integrity; let your yes and no be consistent with the gospel.
  • Rest in God’s promises fulfilled in Christ and walk by the Spirit’s assurance.

Bible

1Paul, 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:

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

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

4Who 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.

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

6And 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.

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

8For 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:

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

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

11Ye 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.

12For 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.

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

14As 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.

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

16And 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.

17When 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?

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

19For 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.

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

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

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

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

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

← 1 Corinthians 162 Corinthians 2 →

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