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2 Corinthians Chapter One

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Ministry of Receiving Consolation and Giving Consolation

A.  Introduction (v.1-2);

B.  The consolation of Christ (v.3-7);

C.  The full and perfect salvation (v.8-11);

D.  Boast of one another (v.12-14);

E.  The definite journey (v.15-17);

F.  The definite message (v.18-22);

G.  Spare others (v.23-24);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

2Cor. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

YLT: “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:”

Meaning of Words: “apostle”: the one who is sent, messenger; “Paul”: littleness; “saint”: the one who is separated unto God;

Literal Meaning: “by the will of God, it shows that the present status of Paul is totally of God, not gained by himself.

“An apostle of Jesus Christ”, it indicates that: a) he is of the Lord; b) he is sent by the Lord; c) he receives the authority of opening the truth from the Lord; d) he is not proud but fulfills the responsibility entrusted to him by the Lord faithfully.

“And Timothy our brother, the word “and” shows that Timothy also puts his signature on the epistle with Paul, but actually it is written by Paul (see 10:1). “Brother”, it refers to the one who has common faith in the Lord (see Acts 9:17; Heb.2:11).

To the church of God which is at Corinth, it points out two characteristics of the church: the first is the church is “of God” and is unto God. The church exists for the sake of manifesting the glory of God (Eph. 3:21; 1Tim. 3:15-16). Secondly, the church appears “in Corinth” that can be seen by the world, so the church is not an abstract object.

“With all the saints who are in all Achaia”, “Achaia” refers to the southern part of Greece. Under the dominion of the Roman Empire, the province of Macedonia was located in the north of Greece and the north is the province of Achaia, including cities or towns like Corinth, Cenchrea and Athens. “Saints who are in all Achaia”, though this book aims at dealing with the problems in the church at Corinth, it is also written to Christians everywhere.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)        The name of the author was changed as “Paul”, which was “littleness” (the meaning of the original). The servant of God should not be puffed up, but humble himself to serve others (Matt. 20:26-28).

2)        If we do not know the will of God, we are unworthy of being the workers of God.

3)        Everyone who serves God should keep the will of God instead of holding his own will. Therefore, one’s works should please God only rather than be affected by himself or others.

4)        What the preacher should introduce is not his worldly status or title but the proof that he is truly speaking by the will of God.

5)        Since one is the servant of Christ by the will of God, he should be sure that God is with him and will help him to fulfill the great responsibility.

6)        The apostle of Christ should be with Him first and abide in Him and let the words of the Lord abide in him (John 15:7), and then he can go out to speak for the Lord.

7)        The church is a group of members called out from the world. She is out of the world but of God and still in the world. She can preach the will of God to the world and can also bring men in the world into God.

 

2Cor. 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

YLT: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!”

Meaning of Words: “grace”: pleasantness, thanks, pleasure, favor, and liberality;

Literal Meaning: “grace”: the gift given by God to men to enjoy freely. The greatest grace to men is that God lets them receive and enjoy Him.

  “Peace”, it is not peace or smoothness in environment, but peace and quietness in one’s heart. In other words, peace is a kind of mood after men have enjoyed the salvation of God which perfects the peace between God and men and among men themselves.

  “From God our Father”, God is the God of the world, and the Father of us. God is the fountain of grace and peace. We believers are vessels that partake of grace and peace.

“And the Lord Jesus Christ”, Paul mentions God the Father and the Lord Jesus together, showing that they are equal.

“To you”, “you” refers to believers. God is the origin, and the Lord Jesus is the channel. God’s grace and peace have fallen upon us through our Lord Jesus.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Christians are men who have enjoyed the grace of God, so their life must have its pleasantness. The Christianity that lacks of attraction is not real Christianity.

2)    Grace is a gift that cannot be obtained by man himself, for no one is worthy of receiving grace.

3)    Grace is the source of peace, and peace is the fruit of grace. It is impossible to receive the peace of God without seeking the grace of God first.

4)    “Grace” is the origin of all blessings. And those who have received the grace of God will have peace in his life.

5)    The peace bestowed by the Lord is different from the so-called peace of the world. Peace given by the Lord is of the heaven and cannot be robbed by the world.

6)    We should not seek peace outside of God. The shortcut of the true peace is keeping the will of God.

 

2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

YLT: “Blessed God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the mercies, and God of all comfort,”

Meaning of Words: “blesses”: blessing, good words, thanks and praise; “mercy”: compassion, sympathy; “comfort”: encourage near;

Literal Meaning: “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort”, “blesses”: we praise God because of God’s being and words; the word “our” indicates that such a Lord Jesus Christ belongs to all believers; “Lord” focuses on His status, who exists over all and is worshipped by all those who are of Him. “Jesus” refers to his humanity ---- he was incarnated to be the Nazaraean Jesus who humbled himself to take the image of a bondman; “Christ” relates to His ministry ---- he is anointed by God and sent by God to keep the will of God and is the Messiah who comes to fulfill his works.

  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”, father indicates that God is the origin of life. This verse means that God who is the origin of life makes us partakers of His life and nature through the Lord Jesus Christ.

  “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort”, “mercy”: the heart of God to His children; “comfort”: the actions of God to His children; “mercy” is a feeling of God to us; “comfort” is a feeling of us because of the mercy of God; “God of all comfort”, God is origin of various comforts.

  “Comfort” is comfort and encouragement. This comfort comes upon them when believers suffer in tribulation (see v.4-7).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Common believers desire to be blessed from God, but has never desired to obtain

2)     Today, a lot of praise is mixed with praise to men. May all the blessings are unto God and let all glory be unto God.

3)     “Our Lord Jesus Christ” ---- the Lord belongs to all believers ---- Christ is their Lord as well as ours (1Cor. 1:2).

4)     “God the Father of Jesus Christ” ---- whoever denies the Son has not the Father either; he who confesses the Son has the Father also. (John 2:23) ---- God the Father of Jesus Christ has also become ours since we have believed Jesus Christ.

5)     Paul praises God according to his knowledge about God, for he has experienced the rich mercy and gracious comfort of God in tribulation……

6)     God has the richest mercies. He is never indifferent to us or silent to our supplication. Though we have many troubles, God can supply various comforts. There is no tribulation of us that God can not deal with through his comfort.

7)     Though we have tribulations, we can still find comfort in God and remove the taste of tribulation by His comfort.

8)     The comfort of God is not only appeasement but also encouragement that makes us exert ourselves and fight increasingly bravely.

 

2Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

YLT: “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;”

Meaning of Words: “tribulation”: pressure, affliction (especially physical affliction);

Literal Meaning:who comforts us in all our tribulation, “we” here includes all the children of God, who can obtain the comfort of God in tribulation; “comfort”: the present tense indicates that the comfort of God happens all the time.

“That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”, “that we may be able to”, it contains the meaning of bringing a kind of ability in the original. Tribulation is an opportunity for us to learn some abilities. “With the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”, it shows that he who comforts others should use the equipment of God. “Those who are in any trouble”, it indicates that the objects are not limited ---- anyone who is in tribulation can be benefited from our experience.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     God comforts us in all our tribulation. “All” points that God does not comfort us sometimes, but all times.

2)     Our abilities of comforting others are obtained beforehand when we ourselves have experienced the tribulation.

3)     The whole life of Christians is not all smooth, but often interrupted by storms. However, thank God! Though we are in tribulation, He comes to comfort us so that we can comfort those who are in the troubles.

4)     He who has never experienced the tribulation has never tasted the comfort given by God. He who has never been comforted by God does not know how to comfort others. We ourselves should firstly experience the comfort of God and then comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5)     The gift of comforting others in the church can be obtained with great cost. All the comforts without paying any cost are merely comforts with tongue that can only enter into men’s ears but not hearts.

6)     Only man like Paul in whom no difficulty can touch him can comfort others.

7)     The true comfort of Christians is comfort that brings courage to others and can deal with the problems of men in their life.

 

2Cor. 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

YLT: “because, as the sufferings of the Christ do abound to us, so through the Christ doth abound also our comfort;”

Meaning of Words: “abound”: be in excess, be superfluous, excel; “suffering”: hardship, pain (especially mental affliction);

Literal Meaning: “for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, there are two kinds “sufferings of Christ”: one is the suffering of death on the cross for redemption. No one could have part in such suffering, for it is only Christ that suffered. The other one is the suffering not for redemption but for cherishing and nourishing the church. We can have part in it and suffer with Him so as to “fill up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ” (Col. 1:24).

“So our consolation also abounds through Christ”, there is the definite article before “Christ” which is mentioned twice in this verse in the original, so here it refers to the suffering and comfort of Christ Himself. If we have part in this suffering Christ (Matt.20:22; Rom. 8:17; Phil.3:10; 1Pet. 4:13), we will receive comfort from Him.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     If the sufferings that we suffer are “the sufferings of Christ”, they are valuable. However, if we suffer for the sake of our sins or carelessness, there will be of no value.

2)     The sufferings of the Lord are different from our sufferings for the sake of the Lord, for no one gave Him comfort in his sufferings (Ps. 69:20). However, if we suffer for the sake of Him, “our consolation also abounds through Christ”.

3)     If we taste the bitter fruit for the sake of our own transgressions, we have no consolation. However, if we walk in the way of the cross and drink the bitter cup because of the obedience of His will, we will surely receive the consolation of the Lord.

4)     The more suffering one suffers, the more consolation we will receive. The more we suffer the sufferings of Christ, the more consolation we will receive so that “we can comfort those who are in many troubles” (v.4). This is supplying the fullness of Christ through the death of Christ on the cross.

5)     The more one suffers, the more he can comfort others. The suffering can profit man himself as well as all.

6)     When we are in an afflicted circumstance, we shall remind us that every trial we endure will not be in vain, for it provides us with valuable experience so that we will be able to comfort those who are in similar troubles.

7)     The Lord Jesus “Himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those that are being tempted” (Heb. 2:18). True disciples of Christians will be willing to experience “the sufferings of Christ” in order to help those who are struggling in the waves of life.

 

2Cor. 1:6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

YLT: “and whether we be in tribulation, for your comfort and salvation, that is wrought in the enduring of the same sufferings that we also suffer; whether we are comforted, for your comfort and salvation;”

Literal Meaning: “now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, Paul endured the sufferings for the sake of preaching the gospel so as to save those who had received the gospel (here, it especially referred to believers in Corinth) and supply the comfort of God.

Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation”, one shall “be comforted” first so that he will obtain the power of comforting others afterwards (see v.4). “Consolation”, such consolation is not the general consolation, but a kind of consolation that carries a power of dealing with the problems in the circumstance.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The true ministry of God, no matter he is suffered or comforted, can bring consolation to others.

2)     The great work of a true comforter is to put strength and courage into those who are in sufferings so as to make them endure all and rejoice to walk in the way of the cross in extreme affliction.

 

2Cor. 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

YLT: “and our hope stedfast for you, knowing that even as ye are partakers of the sufferings -- so also of the comfort.”

Meaning of Words: “hope”: expectation, confidence; “steadfast”: stable, firm, of force, sure;

Literal Meaning: “and our hope for you is steadfast, “steadfast” was a legal word in business. When the both sides had signed the contract, it would not be changed. When Paul saw believers who were enduring sufferings, he was sure that they would be comforted.

“Because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” Such steadfast hope of Paul was on account of his own experience of constantly being comforted in sufferings as well as the good news brought back by Titus (see 7:7). He knew believers in Corinth were touched and turned to Paul, so they would receive the same spiritual experience like that of Paul. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     What the true workers of the Lord care for is not personal loss, but the spiritual condition of believers.

2)     Our knowledge of others is based on our own spiritual experience ---- the experiences of men in the way of the Lord approximately the same with that of our own.

 

2Cor. 1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

YLT: “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 power, so that we despaired even of life;”

Meaning of Words: “be burdened”: heavy, press; “despair”: of no way;

Literal Meaning: “for we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, it is “reminding” them something they have known but not “telling” something to them that they do not know.

“Of our trouble which came to us in Asia”, “our”, though it may refer to the experience of Paul and his fellow workers in their journey, it still refers to the experience of Paul himself mostly. “Asia”: a province of the Roman Empire, it is located in the western part of Turkey that lies across the sea from Greece. Here, “trouble” in the original is singular, so it refers to one certain trouble. It is not clearly mentioned in the scriptures that what this trouble is. Therefore, some Bible exegetes guess it is the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41), and some guess it is Paul’s serious illness even to death and etc. “Trouble”, it is the passive voice in the original, which contains the meaning of being caught or seized by tribulation or being pressed by trouble.

“That we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” “Be burdened”, an excessively heavy load beyond the safety margin; “above strength”: surpass the limit that our strength can bear; “despair”: be utterly at a loss, cannot go out; “despaired even of life”: be faced with the hopeless situation without the hope of passing from death to life.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     God does not let us “be faced with troubles” aimlessly. Instead, He builds us through trouble. And the more afflicted the tribulation is, the deeper we will be edified. 

2)     God shall firstly make us not rely on our own strength before giving his own strength to us. The trouble makes us know that our own strength is limited (“above strength”) so that we will turn to God and seek His power.

3)     The power of the life of God can only be produced from the pressure of life. No pressure, no power. The pressure is in proportion to power. The more one is pressed, the more he will receive power. Christians should not hope to live a trouble-free life, for God gives them His power through their being troubled everyday.

4)     Men’s extremity is God’s opportunity. When we are “despairing even of life”, we have totally lost hope to ourselves. And at that time, the only hope lies in God. When man has no way on the earth, he has to life up his head to look upon God and seek the way from the heaven.

 

2Cor. 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

YLT: “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,”

Literal Meaning:we had the sentence of death in ourselves”, if we ask us in our hearts what our future will be under the burden of the trouble, our answer must be death.

“That we should not trust in ourselves”, in such a condition that we can not conquer though our own strength, we have only to stop our own struggle.

“But in God who raises the dead”, “trust in God”, it is one of the main principles in this book. God’s grace is sufficient to us and our weakness is just an opportunity through which the power of God will be manifested (see 12:9-10). “Who raises the dead”, it shows that the trouble that Paul suffers has seriously threatened his life so that he regards his survival and restoration just as resurrection from the death.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Man’s life is in the hands of God. To live or to die, it is totally decided by God. Death may not be bad, and survival may not be good. What is really important is how we live before God.

2)     If man lives in smooth and stable condition, he can only rely on himself, for he can easily deal with all the circumstances. However, when we are faced with severe crises, especially when we feel we are strengthless, we will turn to God and rely on Him. Therefore, crisis is often transformed into a turning point through which we learn to draw the power of God.

3)     The Holy Spirit will bring us into extremity of the death of the cross through the troubles in circumstance so as to force us not to trust in our natural life ---- “not trust in ourselves” and then let us experience how the risen Christ ---- “but trust in God who raises the dead” ---- is our full salvation ---- “who delivered and does deliver uswill still deliver…” (v.10).

4)     The experience of death leads us into that of resurrection. If we have not experienced the spiritual death, we shall not experience the spiritual resurrection, for “it is not quickened unless it die” (1Cor. 15:36).

5)     The works of the cross aim to end our “selves” so that we can experience and have fellowship with God who raises the dead in the risen realm.

 

2Cor. 1:10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

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

Literal Meaning:who delivered us from so great a death, “delivered”: the past tense shows that it refers to the eternal salvation, namely, the deliverance of our spirits.

“And does deliver us”, “delivered”: the present tense shows that it refers to the present salvation, including the preservation of body and the renewal and transformation of soul.

“In whom we trust that He will still deliver us,” “delivered”: the future tense shows that it refers to the salvation in the future, namely, the redemption of our bodies;

Controversial Clarification: there are many Bible exegetes who think this verse tells that God delivers us from dangerous conditions after we have believed the Lord. Due to the past and present experience of Paul, he believes the delivering power of God will not disappoint him. Though such explanation is not false (for this paragraph focuses on the experience of God in tribulations), we should still be careful and not think God must always deliver us from all troubles that we have met so that we shall not die. It is like that many Christians quote the Lord’s words: “This sickness is not unto death” (John 11:4) to comfort themselves or others, but the result is not so. Therefore, when this verse is adopted, one should know that “he must firstly desire the will of God will be fulfilled”. If God does not permit, we will not die.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    This verse indicates: how everlasting and perfect of the Lord’s salvation is!

2)    God’s salvation is perfect and eternal. Once He has saved us, He will save us forever! And His salvation is sure and unchangeable. No one in the world can take away God’s salvation from us.

3)    God’s power of deliverance is of the same effect, no matter in the past, or at present or in the future.

4)    The more one is in despair, the more hope he will receive. The more times we die, the more we will know the risen God.

5)    Experience in the past will produce new faith in us and bring about new experience as well as build new trust in the Lord. No one can deal with the present experience through the experience in the past. And no one can solve the present problems by faith yesterday.

 

2Cor. 1:11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

YLT: “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.”

Meaning of Words: “help”: be a co-auxiliary, assist;

Literal Meaning:you also helping together in prayer for us, believers should cooperate with God in order to perfectly fulfill the deliverance of God in the previous verse.

“That thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf”, “person”: it is “countenance” in the original, which shows that men offer thanks to God with joyful countenances.

“For the gift granted to us through many”, it indicates that grace we have received from God is obtained on account of many people’s prayers. According to the context here, the word “gift” does not refer to the talents in works (1Cor. 12:4-11), but the gift concerning the fellowship in life (Rom. 6:23).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Though we often feel that we can only offer little help to others, one thing we can be sure is that we can help others by prayers. The help to others by prayers is more than any help in things outside.

2)     We should not think that only some common believers need prayers and yet the servants of the Lord need not. We should know that everyone who is used by the Lord and works for God is the object of the attacks of Satan.

3)     The Lord’s workers need the support of prayers of the church. Without the support of the church, the workers of the Lord will be weak and strengthless. Believers should not have a false thought that the workers of the Lord are “supermen” who specially pray for others and need not others to pray for them.

 

2Cor. 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

YLT: “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;”

Meaning of Words: “boast”: whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing; “simplicity”: singleness, separation, without dissimulation or self-seeking; “sincerity”: clearness, purity (pure and clear in the trial of sun);

Literal Meaning: “for our boasting is this our conscience”, if man walk in conscience (Acts 23:1), he will have boasting before God and men without any shamefulness.

  “The testimony that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, “testimony” refers to the testimony borne by one’s conscience; “simplicity and godly sincerity”: the perfect goodness and purity can make men pass the severest trial, but should not be performed before men

“Not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God”, “fleshly wisdom”: use fleshly method; “the grace of God”: whereto we have attained in grace, walk in the same steps (see Phil. 3:16).

“And more abundantly toward you”, “more”: it might be because believers in Corinth like to speak worldly wisdom (see 1Cor. 1:17-2:7).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Believers should keep a clear (2Tim. 1:3) conscience and a conscience without offence (Acts 24:16) in walking so that men can have good witness before men.

2)     The gentiles in the world conduct with fleshly wisdom lest they should suffer loss. We believers conduct ourselves in the world “not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God”, for the fleshly wisdom may fail, but the grace of God is reliable forever. This is the mystery of Christians.

3)     He who always conducts with “fleshly”, expedient and political wisdom does not know to rely on “the wisdom of God”. Only those who reject fleshly, expedient and political wisdom can live in the principle of God’s grace. That is why the apostle can bear strong “witness”.

4)     He who conducts with “fleshly wisdom” is conducting with himself. He who “conducts the grace of God” is conducting God Himself. Tribulation can make one know the fleshly wisdom is vain, and know that God is really worthy of being trusted.

5)     If believers conduct with “fleshly wisdom” in the world, he will lose simplicity and godly sincerity before God and will feel guilty in his conscience and thus can not be peaceful.

6)     If believers in the world conduct themselves “with fleshly wisdom” only, they will not be shameful no matter in what condition they fall, for it is God that takes the responsibility, not ourselves.

 

2Cor. 1:13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end

YLT: “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,”

Meaning of Words: “to the end”: at last, finally;

Literal Meaning: “for we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand, it indicates that Paul’s mind has been sincerely written in the epistle without concealment. Therefore, one should understand Paul as long as he has read the epistle.

Now I trust you will understand, even to the end”, Paul also knows that men can only understand in part through words in the epistle (see v.14, “understand in part”). Though men can infer from the lines, misunderstandings are sometimes unavoidable. Therefore, he hopes that believers in Corinth shall finally have right and sufficient knowledge about him.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “Communication” of men is difficult. In the church, may the Lord improve our skills of expression and reinforce our comprehensive power.

2)    “Sincerity” is the best way to man’s communication. Distrust of one another can be avoided if there is no concealment or ornament. Sometimes, men cannot know or be known sufficiently, but they have got the chance to know one another further.

  

2Cor. 1:14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

YLT: “according as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that your glory we are, even as also ye ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus;”

Literal Meaning:(as also you have understood us in part), “in part”, it indicated that they did not know Paul perfectly and yet had already had some knowledge to a certain degree.

“That we are your boast”: boast of knowing Paul; it is shown in this verse that Paul hopes that believers in Corinth know Paul will be as Paul knows them.  

“As you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus”, “the day of the Lord Jesus” refers to the judgment day when the Lord comes again (see 5:10); “you are ours”, it indicates that the Lord’s workers will render account of their works to him when judgment comes. And the fruit by preaching the gospel and the growth of our spiritual life are both fruit of the works of the Lord’s workers.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The workers of the Lord and believers should know one another increasingly. And the more they know each other, the more they will trust each other and boast of such relationship. If the relationship is destroyed because of knowledge, it shows that one side or both have distracted from the spiritual principles, “with fleshly wisdom, but not by the grace of God” (see v.12).

2)     If the Lord’s workers are perfectly known by believers they serve, it shows that the workers have works worthy of boasting, for they have improved the level of believers’ spiritual knowledge.

 

2Cor. 1:15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit--

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

Meaning of Words: “before”: first, previous; “benefit”: grace;

Literal Meaning: “and in this confidence”, it indicates that Paul is confident that believers in Corinth have already had sure knowledge about and acquaintance with him.

I intended to come to you before, since he will come again (see v.16), there are two times of visitation.

“That you might have a second benefit--”, wherever Paul goes, he will come in fullness of blessing of Christ (see Rom. 15:29). Therefore, every time he comes, he will make men be blessed.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     If we desire to let others be benefited through us, we ourselves should enjoy and be immersed in the grace of God previously.

2)     Our steps should spiritually benefit those whom we are in touch with. When we should go or when we should not go should be decided by whether others will be benefited. 

 

2Cor. 1:16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.

YLT: “and through you to pass to Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and by you to be sent forward to Judea.”

The Background: previously Paul set his journey from Achaia to Macedonia and then to Corinth and finally to Jerusalem (1Cor. 16:3, 5). However, from this verse we could see that Paul’s journey had changed: he visited Corinth before Macedonia and then came back to Corinth again from Macedonia.

Literal Meaning:to pass by way of you to Macedonia, this verse explains the two times of benefit in the previous verse.

“ToMacedonia, Macedonia”, a province of the Roman Empire, was located in the northern part of the province of Achaia, in which there were cities like Philippi and Thessalonians and etc.

“Come again from Macedonia to you”, it showed that Paul planned to stay in Corinth twice.

“And be helped by you on my way to Judea”, “be helped”: help him in travelling expenses to Judea. And of course, it also includes prayers for him to commit him unto the grace of the Lord (see Acts 20:36-38; 21:5-6). 

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Though believers can prearrange their next journeys, they should still look upon the Lord’s guidance everyday and change their plans according to the Lord’s guidance (see James 4:13-15) rather than cling to their own opinions.

2)     The normal relationship of the Lord with believers everywhere should be like that of family members or even it is closer and deeper than family members (because spiritual life excels physical life).

 

2Cor. 1:17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?

YLT: “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?”

Meaning of Words: do it lightly”: do it in a fickle manner; “Yes, and No”: go back on one's word; to contradict oneself;

Literal Meaning: “therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? do it lightly”: change one’s plan frequently so that man can not understand;

Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?” “According to the flesh”: the mind of man’s natural flesh is mostly for one’s own benefit; “be Yes, Yes, and No, No”: now yes, now no;

Paul changed his journey because of the Lord’s guidance (see v.15-16), which caused some misunderstanding among believers in Corinth who criticized him for doing it lightly”, “according to the flesh” or “being Yes, Yes, and No, No”. Therefore, Paul here especially points out the principles of his conduct and the real reason for his change of journey from 1:18 to 2:13.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     All things that are done in selfishness are done according to the flesh. Such things will make men do lightly.

2)     If one changes his plan in order to benefit others spiritually, he does not do it lightly, for it is not changed according to the flesh.

 

2Cor. 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.

YLT: “and God faithful, that our word unto you became not Yes and No,”

Literal Meaning: “but as God is faithful, since God whom Paul trusts in is faithful, he himself is by no means a man who does things lightly or unfaithfully.

“Our word to you”, “word”: that is the message concerning the Son of God Jesus Christ (see v.19). “Our word”, it may also refer to common conversation.

“Was not Yes and No”, it is not that today there is one opinion and there is another one tomorrow.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     But let your "Yes' be "Yes,' and your "No,' "No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matt. 5:37).

2)     If preachers often change the content and manner of his preachment according to the difference of the audience so as to please men and not offend them, such way of preachment is “Yes-and-No preachment”.

3)     “Making a trade of the word of God” (2Cor. 2:17) and “falsifying the word of God” (2Cor. 4:2) both belong to “Yes-and-No” preachment. The true workers of the Lord will disdain to do like this.

 

2Cor. 1:19 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 was Yes.

YLT: “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;”

Literal Meaning: “for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—”, verse eighteen focuses on “the word”, and this verse emphasizes “the Son of God, Jesus Christ who was preached”, “of God”, it is particularly highlighted in the arrangement of the words in the original. Such special order seems to response to “as God is faithful” in verse eighteen.

  “By me, Silvanus, and Timothy—”, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had preached the word of God in Corinth (see Acts 18:5).

“Was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes”, “Yes”, it is perfect tense, which indicates that such “Yes” is an ultimate, definite, credible and immutable “Yes”.  When the Lord Jesus said “I am”, all men went away backward and fell to the ground (John 18:6). For “I am that I am” (see Ex. 3:14).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     He who plans according to the flesh is always Yes, Yes, and No, No (v.17). However, what is of Christ never changes and is sure forever. No matter the pursuit of individuals or the guidance of the church, they can both be judged by this principle.

2)     The message of the one who lacks the vision of Christ is always “uncertain sound”. If man has really seen “the Son of God Jesus Christ”, what he has seen is “Yes” and his message is also “Yes”.

3)     Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and to the ages (Heb. 13:8).

 

2Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

YLT: “for as many as promises of God, in him the Yes, and in him the Amen, for glory to God through us;”

Meaning of Words: “Yes”: properly, firm, trustworthy, surely;

Literal Meaning: “for all the promises of God in Him are Yes, all the promises of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ have already fulfilled one by one.

“And in Him Amen, “Amen” is “verity” in the original. God is faithful (see v.18). The pronunciation of the word “faithful” in Hebrew is close to the word “amen” in Greek, and the Lord calls himself “the Amen” (Rev. 3:14). God’s promises have become reality through Christ.

“To the glory of God through us”, all of us say “Amen” through Him so that God is thus glorified.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Christ is a better covenant through whom God bestows grace to God (Heb. 7:22). Thanks God, today we have already obtained Christ. Therefore, we can practically partake of the blessings of all the promises of God.

2)     If men have not touched Christ, they will doubt whether the promises of God can be fulfilled. Only when men have touched the reality of Christ, will they find the verity of the promises of God and can “amen” the promises of God from their deep heart. Oh, the full Christ has become the reality, surety and assurance of all the promises of God.

3)     The Lord Jesus says “Yes, Father” (Matt. 11:26) to all the arrangement of God, and says “verily, verily, I say to you” (John 1:51; 3:3, 5, 11; 5:19, 24, 25; 6:26, 32, 47, 53…). It is what we Christians are supposed to do of saying “amen” to God and “true words” to men (Rom. 9:1; 1Tim. 2:7).

 

2Cor. 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

YLT: “and He who is confirming you with us into Christ, and did anoint us, God,”

Meaning of Words: “establish”: stabilize, confirm (a commercial word, containing the meaning of assurance); “Christ”: the anointed, the Messiah;

Literal Meaning: “now He who establishes us with you in Christ”, “He who firmly joints you and us in Christ”, “us” refers to Paul and his fellow-workers; “you” refers to believers in Corinth; this verse shows that God makes those who are of Him grow deeper in Christ so as to establish and build them.

“And has anointed us is God”, “anoint”: the anointment of the Spirit; Christ means the anointed one in the original. Paul tells us what God has done on us in Christ, and here it is believers that are anointed in this verse. “Anointed”, be entrusted with mission or consecration (see Ex. 40:13-15).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     How Christ has been anointed by the Spirit, we shall be anointed by the Spirit in like manner. The anointment of the Spirit firstly makes us hollowed so that we shall have new life and new service. Thus our life and service will be only for God henceforth.

2)     The Holy Spirit comes upon us so that we will receive the power of the Spirit (see Acts 1:8) and that we can fulfill the mission in life and service entrusted to us.

3)     The anointment of the Spirit also works the divine quality of the holy Trinity on us so that we will not only obtain the life and disposition of God but also be increasingly constituted by God. 

 

2Cor. 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

YLT: “who also sealed us, and gave the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Literal Meaning:who also has sealed us”, “seal”: seal with a seal, brand something, which contains the meaning of “possession”. This verse indicates that we are possessed by God and we are of Him and He is our Lord. “Seal” also carries a meaning of “carving the image”, so the seal of the Spirit makes believers conformed to the image of God.

“And given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”, “guarantee” is “earnest” in the original, that is “the previous part”, which suggests that the rest will be given of course. Therefore, since believers have already had the indwelling Spirit, the salvation they have got will be in no wise lost in the future.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     The seal of the Spirit shows that we are the possession of God and we are of God. Since we Christians have so noble status, we should be sanctified without humiliating ourselves.

2)     The Spirit in our hearts as an earnest shows that God is our inheritance and the Spirit in us guarantees that we will receive all the heavenly blessing in the future.

3)     The Spirit in our hearts as an earnest is also a pre-taste. We believers need not wait for the rapture into the heaven, for we can enjoy all the fullness of the divine Trinity.

4)     It is not an uncertain thing that we will be saved forever, for God has already put His Spirit “in our hearts as a guarantee”. The Spirit is as the seal of God sealed in our hearts to guarantee that He will take the responsibility for us forever. Hallelujah, how assured!

 

2Cor. 1:23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

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

Literal Meaning: “moreover I call God as witness against my soul, Paul calls the faithful God to testify to believers in Corinth that that he changes the plan of journey does not mean he is a man of two minds.

“That to spare you I came no more to Corinth”, Paul thinks if he visits believers in Corinth hastily when their misunderstanding has not been clarified yet, it may stirs up more adverse sentiments and thus make the condition difficult to be restored. Therefore, he changes his journey, for he is unwilling to go to Corinth for the sake of rebuking them. “Spare”: spare them for several days until their views are changed.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Lord does not delay his promise, as some account of delay, but is longsuffering towards you (2Pet. 3:9). Therefore, we should prepare and watch as long as it is called To-day.

2)     Christians should learn to be strict to them but spare others, bearing with one another in love (Eph. 4:2).

 

2Cor. 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

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

Literal Meaning: “not that we have dominion over your faith, faith is the outcome of man’s active response to the grace of God by using his freewill. “Dominion”: not allow to have freewill;

 “For by faith you stand”, “by faith”, here faith is not the channel but the sphere of our standing. The faith of Christians has close relation with his standing (see Col. 4:12).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)     Anyone cannot force men in faith, but can only point a right way to them to help him in faith.

2)     The elders in the church should not lord over the flock that God entrusts to them, but be models for them (see 1Pet. 5:1-3).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Thanks God for Confronting Tribulations

A.   For tribulation brings comfort (v.3-4a);

B.   For tribulation brings the power of comforting others (v.4b-5);

C.   For tribulation brings endurance (v.6); 

D.   For tribulation brings hope, for those who are suffered on account of the Lord shall be comforted together (v.7);

E.   For tribulation brings faith to men (v.8-10);

F.    For tribulation brings grace (v.11);

 

God that Paul Knew in Tribulations

A.   To know He is a God of all comfort (v.3-7);

B.   To know He is a God who raise the dead (v.8-11);

 

Paul’s Principles in His Conduct

A.   Not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God (v.12);

B.   Not do it lightly, but let others be benefited (v.15-17);

C.   Not preach the word which is Yes and No, but always focus on God who is Yes (v.18-20);

D.   Not rule over your faith, but helpers of faith of the divine Trinity (v.21-24);

 

Procedures of Receiving Help

A.   Be confronted with troubles (v.8);

B.   Be burdened (v.8) ---- be dead;

C.   Beyond measure (v.8) ---- be dead in his own power;

D.   Despair even of life (v.8) ---- be dead in affection;

E.   We had the sentence of death in ourselves (v.9) ---- be dead in mind;

F.    That we should not trust in ourselves (v.9) ---- be dead in will;

G.   But in God who raises the dead (v.9) ---- begin to appropriate the help of God;

 

There is Only Yes of Those Who Really Trust in God

A.   The word they preach is not Yes and No (v.18).

B.   The Lord Jesus is Yes, and not Yes and No (v.19).

C.   All the promises of God are Yes (v.20).

D.   The works of God in Christ are Yes (v.21-22).

 

Paul Serves the Lord According to Three Immutable Things

A.   The word of God is not Yes and No (v.18).

B.   The Son of God, Jesus Christ is not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes (v.19).

C.   All the promises of God in Christ are Yes, and in Him Amen (v.20).

 

Four Things that the Faithful God Has Done When Believers Have Saved

A.   Establish believers (v.21);

B.   Anoint believers (v.21);

C.   Seal believers (v.22);

D.   Give the Spirit in believers as a guarantee (v.22);

 

The Beings of the Spirit

A.   God’s “anointment” (v.21) ---- anoint …holy;

B.   God’s “seal” (v.22) ---- seal … of God;

C.   God’s “earnest” (v.22) ---- foretaste the fullness;

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou