1.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Verse 1
And Timothy. It would seem, from the circumstance that the name of Timothy is here associated with that of Paul, that he did not go to Corinth, as Paul had intended, (1 Corinthians 4:17,1 Corinthians 4:18,) but that he went only to Macedonia, and remained there until Paul joined him. In fact, Paul intimates a doubt whether he would actually reach Corinth, in his allusion to the subject in 1 Corinthians 16:10. His primary destination was Macedonia, as is stated in the account in the Acts. (Acts 19:21,Acts 19:22.)--Achaia; the province of which Corinth was the capital.
2.
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4.
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Verse 4
Our tribulation. Paul, and probably Timothy with him, had been exposed to great danger at Ephesus, (Acts 19:23-41;) and his mind appears to have been oppressed at this time with much anxiety and dejection. (Compare 2 Corinthians 1:8,2 Corinthians 2:13.)
5.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6.
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8.
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
Verse 8
Asia; that province of Asia Minor of which Ephesus was the capital. See 1 Peter 1:1, where it is enumerated with the other provinces.--Pressed, by the violent hostility of enemies.
9.
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Verse 9
Sentence of death in ourselves; a strong presentiment that we should not escape death.
10.
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11.
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Verse 12
Fleshly wisdom; human wisdom.--Had our conversation; regulated our conduct.--More abundantly, more especially.
13.
For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
Verse 13
Read or acknowledge; know or acknowledge. The word read would seem to be used, in this connection, in a sense analogous to that in which the word hear is often employed; as in John 8:43.
14.
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Verse 14
In part; in some degree.--Are--ours; are to be ours. The apostle expresses a similar sentiment, in another of his Epistles. (1 Thessalonians 2:19.)
15.
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
Verse 15
In this confidence; namely, his confidence in their regard and attachment to him.--I was minded to come; I had intended to come.--A second benefit. He had already once visited Corinth, when he first planted the gospel there.
16.
And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
17.
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
Verse 17
Did I use lightness? was it through lightness or fickleness of mind that I did not carry this design into effect?--According to the flesh; insincerely and dishonestly, as men often do.--Yea, yea, and nay, nay; one thing in promise and profession, and another in secret design.
18.
But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
Verse 19
Silvanus; Silas, who is often mentioned in the Acts as Paul's companion in labor and suffering.
20.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Verse 20
In him; in Christ.--Are yea, are faithful and true.
21.
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Verse 21
Anointed us; consecrated us to his service; anointing having been, in ancient times, a ceremony of consecration.
22.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Verse 22
The earnest of the Spirit; the influences of the Spirit, as the earnest and pledge of the faithful fulfilment of the divine covenant.
23.
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Verse 23
To spare you, &c. The idea seems to be, that his reason for not going to them, as he had intended, was to spare them the pain of a personal interview under the peculiar circumstances of the case.
24.
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Verse 24
The meaning is, that he disavows, on the part of himself and Timothy, all authority to exercise spiritual dominion over them; their province was only to aid and guide them in their efforts to attain eternal life.