2 Corinthians 1:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,

NIV: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

NASB: Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,

CSB: Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us.

NLT: It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,

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

NKJV: Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

In answering a frivolous accusation—that he has been selfishly wavering in his travel plans to visit Corinth—Paul has diverted to a grand declaration about how Christ is the "yes" to all of God's plans and promises.

God is the one who established both Paul and his co-workers and the believing Corinthians in Christ. In other words, Paul is not over and above the Corinthians in his worth to God. Nor are they over him. They have both been established in Christ by God. In addition, God has anointed all of them with the Holy Spirit. The picture is of the priest anointing someone's head with oil. In this case, though, it is God Himself pouring out His own Holy Spirit over those who come to Him by faith in Christ. Paul asserts that this has happened for him, for his co-workers in ministry, and for all the Corinthians.

Perhaps Paul is making the connection to his change of travel plans by suggesting that the Holy Spirit leads him in his service to the Corinthians as the Holy Spirit leads and guides all believers.

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 8:06:57 PM