PAUL'S APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY
2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 1 to 22
Introduction – verses 1 and 2
The subject of this second letter concerning the apostolic authority of Paul, for that church having false apostles opposed to Paul, who stresses his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, and offers spiritual comfort to persecuted believers.
The letter is addressed to “the church of God which is at Corinth," by which we observe that only one church is recognized in the city of Corinth. It is also to “all the saints in all Achaia", which is the province of which Corinth was the main port.
This letter was written about a year after the first letter to the same church, and has the same greeting (v.2).
Consolation - verses 3 to 7
The words "comfort" and "consolation" appear nine times in this text. About this precious consolation that Paul has and wishes the Christians in Corinth to have, we see:
A source of comfort: God through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16); The reason for comfort: so that we can comfort others (4, 6); The occasion of comfort: in times of persecution and affliction - Apostle and converted together, just as Christ and His disciples (see John 15:20, 16:33).
Danger in Ephesus – verses 8 to 11
Here Paul remembers how he was mistreated and almost killed when the mob, incited by the goldsmith Demetrius and shouting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," demanded that the preachers were brought to justice.
However, Paul "already was under sentence of death"- that is, he considered himself already dead to the things of this world, having died in Christ by faith (like baptism means); so he did not fear what men might do to his body. See Romans 6:3-5 and 8:35-37. If God delivered the believer from “so great a death" in which he was before, He can free him from any danger in this world.
Here is the "comfort" for the Apostle and the believers together. It is possible that Paul, weakened by illness and threatened by the mob, actually found itself in danger of death, but his trust in God and the prayers of the believers were of comfort to him, not only on that occasion as well as for the future (10-11).
The glory of Paul – verses 12 to 14
The word "glory" here seems to mean "that in which he had more pleasure or satisfaction.”
His sincerity in what they wrote. His life corresponded with his doctrine, by the grace of God, and was understandable by all. The satisfaction they would have in him - for he (Paul) was their glory (because of the message); all would be recognized at the coming of the Lord.
The firmness in the word – verses 15 to 20
Paul had promised to visit the believers in Corinth again (which would be a second blessing); from there, he intended to go to Macedonia, coming back again to Corinth, from where the believers might direct him to Judea. In this, he had spoken with sincerity, just as Christ always spoke, and God through Christ.
The promises of God – verses 20 and 21
These are sure and it was He who sent them Paul as His messenger, having sealed him by the Holy Spirit, as every believer (Ephesians 1:13).
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1Paul, 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:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
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.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
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.
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.
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.
9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
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.
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.
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 2Co 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.
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit -
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. 2Co 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.
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 2Co 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.
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 1 to 22