2 Corinthians 1:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

NIV: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God.

NASB: For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

CSB: For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in him. Therefore, through him we also say "Amen" to the glory of God.

NLT: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding 'Yes!' And through Christ, our 'Amen' (which means 'Yes') ascends to God for his glory.

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

NKJV: For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Paul is answering the charge from some in Corinth that he selfishly changed his travel plans to visit them, saying both "yes" and "no" to his commitments at the same time. Paul's defense is as serious as the accusation is frivolous.

First, he has insisted he was not saying "yes" and "no" at the same time, but that in Christ, the answer is always "yes." Now he adds that all the promises of God find their "yes" in Christ. In other words, all of God's Old Testament promises are fulfilled in Jesus. Christ is the "yes" to every one of them.

Paul, who represents Christ and does His work, seems to be saying that even his change of travel plans reflects the "yes" found in Jesus. Motivated to be as Christ to the Corinthians, Paul altered course to serve them better. He acknowledged God's leading and responded by saying "amen" to God for His glory. Just as the Corinthians themselves affirmed Christ as God's "yes," Paul agreed with and affirmed God's will for him in Christ by holding off on his return visit to Corinth.

Second Corinthians 1:12–24 contains a defense against accusations. Apparently, some claimed Paul had acted without integrity, openness, or commitment to his stated plans to visit the Corinthians. Those were referenced near the end of his letter of 1 Corinthians. Paul insists that, especially with them, he and his co-workers have behaved with simple integrity and transparency, as well as sincerity. His change in plans has not been a case of frivolously saying ''yes and no'' to them at the same time. He has responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and delayed his most recent visit for their own good.

Paul begins another letter to the Corinthians following a series of tumultuous events with them. He begins by praising God for His comfort to those who are in affliction, connecting Christian suffering to the sufferings of Christ. Paul insists that his suffering and the comfort he has received from God have been for the Corinthians' benefit. He defends both his integrity and sincerity in dealing with them and explains that he delayed his planned trip to visit them again for their sake.

Second Corinthians 1 follows about a year after the end of 1 Corinthians, and much has happened between the two letters. Paul has had a painful visit with the Corinthians before traveling to Macedonia, where he wrote a painful letter. The text of which has not been kept. He writes this new letter from Macedonia, as well, after learning about a positive change of heart on their behalf. Paul begins by praising God for His comfort for those who are afflicted and defending himself against several complaints from some in the church.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/4/2024 7:57:26 AM