RSV ~ 2 Corinthians 1 Notes
2 Cor 1:1 | ISB Notes
an apostle: A messenger of the gospel commissioned directly by Christ (Acts 26:12-18) and a witness of his Resurrection (1 Cor 9:1). Throughout this letter Paul asserts and defends his apostolic authority against those who have challenged it. He was established in this office by God’s will and call, not by his own recommendation (2 Cor 1:21; 2:17).
Timothy: A faithful companion of Paul (Acts 16:1-3) and a familiar figure to the Corinthians (Acts 18:5; 1 Cor 4:17). See note on 1 Tim 1:2.
the Church of God: The local community in Corinth, which is an integral part of the universal Church. Paul himself is the founder of this congregation (Acts 18:1-11).
Achaia: A Roman province in southern Greece whose capital city was Corinth. Paul is writing just north of Achaia in the province of Macedonia (2:13; 7:5).
2 Cor 1:3-7 | ISB Notes
Paul’s opening prayer blesses God the Father for the mercies and comforts he pours out upon his children in need. He not only comforts them with inner consolation but also gives them strength to endure every hardship. The divine comfort that Paul receives overflows to benefit the Corinthians undergoing their own afflictions (1:6-7).
• Paul’s benediction resembles an OT prayer form that blesses Yahweh for his greatness and thanks him for rescuing the righteous from mortal dangers (1 Chron 29:10-13; Ps 28:6; 66:20; 124:6).
2 Cor 1:5 | ISB Notes
Christ’s sufferings: The mission of the believer is to become like Christ, which means patiently enduring life’s most unbearable pain and suffering (Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 2:21). Paul and his missionary team experienced such hardships on a routine basis (2 Cor 4:8-12; 11:23-33).
2 Cor 1:7 | ISB Notes
unshaken: A timely note of encouragement. Despite Paul’s strained relationship with the Corinthians in the past, he remains confident in their present loyalty to the gospel.
2 Cor 1:8 | ISB Notes
in Asia: A Roman province in western Turkey. The affliction Paul suffered in this region is otherwise unknown to us, although some think he is alluding to the riot in Ephesus in Acts 19:23-20:1. Whatever the trial, it proved to be a learning experience for Paul, helping him to trust more in God and less in himself.
2 Cor 1:11 | ISB Notes
help us by prayer: Christians united with Christ are also united with one another. This communion of the saints enables them to pray for other believers in need and solicit divine blessings for them. When the Lord answers these prayers, we have further cause for praising him (9:12) (CCC 2634-36).
2 Cor 1:12 | ISB Notes
our conscience: Paul defends his sincerity against accusers who apparently questioned his motives for pursuing apostolic work.
not by earthly wisdom: Paul’s gospel does not stem from human ingenuity but from God, who revealed it through Christ. The marked difference between worldly knowledge and the wisdom of God was earlier explained in 1 Cor 1:18-4:7.
See word study: Wisdom at 1 Cor 1:20.
2 Cor 1:14 | ISB Notes
day of the Lord Jesus: Some ancient manuscripts read “our Lord” instead of “the Lord”. The day in question is the Day of Judgment, when Christ will scrutinize the thoughts, words, and deeds of all people and nations (5:10). For the background and theology that underlie this Pauline expression, See note on 1 Cor 1:8.
2 Cor 1:15 | ISB Notes
a double pleasure: Refers to Paul’s original plan to visit the Corinthians on his way “to” and “from” the province of Macedonia (1:16). Because tensions were high after a painful, emergency visit (2:1), he changed his itinerary and chose not to visit them again after being in Macedonia. He apparently traveled straight back to Asia Minor (Troas, 2:12) instead of making his intended return.
2 Cor 1:16 | ISB Notes
to Judea: i.e., to deliver funds collected for poor Christians in Jerusalem (chaps. 8-9; Rom 15:25-27).
2 Cor 1:17 | ISB Notes
Was I vacillating … ?: Critics charged Paul with being fickle because he altered his travel schedule from his original plan to make two visits to Corinth (1:16). Paul in fact was not fluctuating between Yes and No, as though he were unpredictable or double-minded, but he was making all decisions in the best interests of the Corinthians. In this case, he wished to avoid (1:23) another confrontational visit (2:1) and so withdrew until tensions were eased. .
2 Cor 1:19 | ISB Notes
Silvanus and Timothy and I: The original founders of the Corinthian Church (Acts 18:1-18). Silvanus is also known as “Silas” (Acts 18:5).
2 Cor 1:21-22 | ISB Notes
Paul traces the blessings of the Christian life back to the Trinity—God the Father established us in Christ the Son and filled our hearts with the living Spirit. Notice that Paul also ends the letter with a trinitarian benediction (13:14).
2 Cor 1:21 | ISB Notes
commissioned us: Literally, “anointed us”. As Jesus the Messiah (“Anointed One”) was anointed with the Spirit (Acts 10:38), so Christians share in the anointing of the same Spirit through the Sacraments (1 Jn 2:20, 27).
2 Cor 1:22 | ISB Notes
his seal: An inward stamp of divine ownership. Seals in the ancient world were often impressed in clay or wax by a king, queen, or royal official as a sign of authority, identifying the owner of property or the sender of a letter (1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8-10; Dan 6:17).
• Paul’s teaching points to the indelible “character” imprinted on souls who receive Baptism and Confirmation. This spiritual mark entitles t
hem to God’s grace and protection, while its permanent effect makes it impossible to receive these Sacraments of Initiation more than once (CCC 1272-74, 1296). guarantee: A commercial term for a “pledge” or “first installment” given in advance of full payment. On earth, believers share in the “first fruits” of the Spirit (Rom 8:23) as they await the full inheritance of divine life and blessing in heaven (2 Cor 5:5; Eph 1:14) (CCC 735, 1107).
2 Cor 1:23 | ISB Notes
I call God to witness: An oath formula calling on God to confirm the reliability of personal testimony (Rom 1:9; Phil 1:8). Even God could bear witness that Paul’s decision to cancel one of his scheduled visits to Corinth was motivated by love, i.e., it was to spare them an inevitable confrontation by giving them time to repent and to be reconciled with him (CCC 2154).