2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1 Paul’s Defense of His Ministry as an Apostle. Paul’s ministry reflects the work of the Holy Spirit. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:2 GRACE. A wordplay on the normal Greek greeting. Whereas the Greeks said, “Hello” (Greek _charein_), the Christians said, “Grace” (Greek _charis_). PEACE. The profound well-being that comes from resting in God’s sovereignty and mercy (see note on John 14:27).... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3 Paul offers praise to God as he introduces the main themes to follow. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 US... OUR. Most of the plural first-person pronouns in 2 Corinthians 1:1 (“we,” “us,” “our”) seem to refer to Paul himself (see v. 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 7:5). At times these plurals may also include Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1), other ministry partne... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:5 CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS refers not to Jesus’ unique atonement for sin (Romans 5:8) but to Paul’s sufferings in imitation of Christ. Paul endured these sufferings in faithfulness to God and for the sake of God’s people. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTag... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:6 IT IS FOR YOUR COMFORT. The opponents maintained that Paul’s sufferings disqualified him as an apostle. Paul maintains that God uses his sufferings to strengthen other believers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=image... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:8 ASIA may refer back to Paul’s suffering in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32). That Paul was BURDENED and DESPAIRED in Asia points forward to 2 Corinthians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 4:17 (see note on 4:17–18). ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:10 Biblical HOPE is absolute confidence in God’s promises for the future (v. 2 Corinthians 1:10) based on his faithfulness in the past (v. 2 Corinthians 1:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:12 Paul offers a detailed defense of why he had changed his mind more than once about returning to Corinth. The process included: (1) an initial plan to visit Macedonia first, then Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:5); (2) a subsequent plan to visit Corinth first, then... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:14 THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS assigns to Jesus the divine and messianic role of judge that God the Father holds on “the day of the LORD” (e.g., Isaiah 13:9; Joel 1:1; Zechariah 12:1; see 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Peter 3:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:15 FIRST... ON MY WAY TO MACEDONIA, AND TO COME BACK TO YOU FROM MACEDONIA... ON MY WAY TO JUDEA. Originally, Paul had planned to travel from Ephesus through Macedonia to Corinth (see map) on his way back to Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:5). In the meantime, he se... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:18 Paul can affirm that his WORD... WAS NOT YES AND NO, BUT IN HIM (Christ) IT IS ALWAYS YES because his change of plan was within God’s will. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 God’s PROMISES find their fulfillment in Christ. Thus the OT Scriptures should be read as pointing to Christ (see the Overview of the Bible). Paul expresses his agreement—that is, his AMEN. He confirms what God has done through Christ (THROUGH HIM) by preachi... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21 To be ANOINTED is to be set apart and gifted by God. This is symbolized in the OT by the pouring of olive oil as a sign of God’s rich provision. SEAL. A mark of ownership. See note on John 6:27. GUARANTEE. A financial term referring to the first installment p... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 1:23 Paul makes clear that just as his first change of plans was a Christlike act in accordance with the promises of God, so too his decision not to come but to send them a “tearful letter” was an expression of God’s love to them in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:3). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]