2 Corinthians 1

THE most notable chapter in this letter is the fourth. In this and vi. 4-10, as well as the closing verses of chap. xi. (22-33), St. Paul vindicates himself. Just as in our Lord’s case, the sneers of the Pharisees and scribes led Him to tell the immortal stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, so the attacks of Paul’s enemies drew from him some of his most memorable passages—" persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed"; “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (iv. 9, 17).

This letter was written only a few months later, in the same year as the First Epistle. The occasion of it was that the divisions mentioned in that letter had not ceased. On the contrary, the attacks on Paul himself had become more bitter and caused him much distress (i. 4; ii. 4; x. 10; xii. 20). He does not blame the Church at Corinth as a whole for this, but gratefully recognises the loyalty and stedfastness of most of its members (i. 7, 14; ii. 3; iii. 2, 3; vii. 6, 7, 15, 16; viii. 7).

In vindication of himself he asserts his devotion to Christ (iv. 5; v. 14), his sufferings on His behalf (iv. 11; vi. 5; xi. 23-27); and his unselfishness in relation to others (xi. 7-9; xii. 15, 16).

The Epistle is full of notable sayings, in addition to those above quoted, such as i. 4; iii. 17, 18; iv. 18; v. 19; viii. 9; ix. 6; xii. 9.

I by the will of God. See notes on Rom. i. 1 and 1 Cor. i. 1.

Timothy. Timothy had been sent to Macedonia with instructions to go on to Corinth if possible (1 Cor. iv. 17; xvi. 10). As he was now with Paul, and as no mention of any visit to Corinth is made in this Second Epistle, Waite, in The Speaker’s Commentary, suggests that his mission had in some way miscarried. The most natural solution of the silence “is that the First Epistle had not been well received, and that, the church having declined to comply with one or more of its injunctions, Timothy had immediately gone back to the Apostle to report his ill-success.”

Achaia. The Roman province of Achaia, which included all Southern Greece, contained probably several churches, at Cenchrea (Rom. xvi. 1), and other places, besides the church at Corinth, the capital. The apostle desires this letter to be circulated among them all.

4 us. Paul sometimes speaks of himself in the plural (1 Thess. ii. 18); but here he probably includes Timothy, and other sympathising friends.

5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in (unto) us, etc. We as Christ’s members share His sufferings, which, as it were, overflow from Him to us: He as our Head comforts us, not for our own sakes only, but “that we may be able,” by our example of “endurance,” and from our experience of Divine mercy, to comfort others.

8 insomuch that we despaired even of life. The language suggests severe illness (which might be the result of persecution), the depressing effects of which would be aggravated by the apostle’s intense and painful anxiety on behalf of the Corinthians as well as of the Galatian churches: ep. vii. 5.

9 but we had the sentence (answer) of death in ourselves. I felt that I was doomed to death; so that my deliverance was like a resurrection: ep. iv. 11; xi. 23; Acts xiv. 19, 20; 1 Cor. xv. 31.

12. For our rejoicing is this, etc. I have a right to expect your prayers, for my conscience assures me that my “conduct in the world, and especially towards you,” has been “pure and guileless,” free from all worldly policy (“in holiness and sincerity of God,” R.V.; see on ii. 17); and now I mean just what you read in my letter and recognise in my conduct. And I hope that you will continue even to the day of judgement to acknowledge, as you have in part already, that you have cause to glory in me and I in you.

We have had our conversation. “We behaved ourselves,” R.V.

14 your rejoicing. i.e., cause for you to glory.

15 before. “Before going to Macedonia”: see xii. 14, and note. Had he done so, the Corinthians would then have received a “second benefit” or “favour,” as he would have visited them both in going and in returning (16).

16 toward Judæa. Whither he was going to convey the collection for the poor Christians (1 Cor. xvi. 3, 4).

17 did I use lightness? Or, as R.V., “did I show fickleness?” It is evident that this change of purpose had been used by Paul’s enemies in disparagement of his character.

18 as God is true. A solemn appeal to God as the faithful Witness and Judge: see also ver. 23. Surely God knows you have never found in my conduct and preaching any capricious changeableness or self-seeking. Our preaching was always the same, unchanged as Christ Himself and His promises (19, 20); and more than that, God has sealed it as true, by the gift of the Spirit (22).

19 the Son of God, Jesus Christ. “Word is heaped upon word to express the greatness of Him whom they preached, and so to aggravate the impossibility of His connexion with any fickleness or levity. The names of Silas and Timotheus are introduced, partly to intimate the unity with which they taught of Him, partly not to arrogate too much to himself” (Stanley).

20. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, etc. The B.V. translates: “for how many soever be the promises of God, in Him is the Yea, wherefore also through Him is the Amen,” i.e. the ratification and certainty of them all. “Amen” is the “Verily” by which our Lord enforces so many of His declarations (the same word in Greek, as in John x. 1, etc.).

to the glory of God by us. We, in preaching Christ’s gospel, maintain the honour of God; and this we can do only by absolute truthfulness.

21 anointed. With the Holy Spirit.

23. Moreover. Rather, “But,” as R.V.

I call God for a record (witness). Having asserted his truthfulness generally, the apostle now meets the particular charge of fickleness.

to spare you. Not exerting my power to punish. Then, lest he should be charged with assumption, he adds, “Not that we are lords over your faith (for in faith you have stood firm); but we are helpers of your joy, which your disorders have impaired.”