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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER ONE:
WITH GOD’S COMFORT WALK IN HOLINESS

[“Comfort and Holiness”]
Key word: Comfort
Theme Verse: 4

2 Corinthians 1:1-2 – Paul and Timothy to Corinth

2CO1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by means of God’s will, and Timothy [our] brother 1 – to the congregation of The God in Corinth 2 – together with all the Saints throughout the whole of Achaia: 3

1	And Timothy [our] brother: Most often in 2 Corinthians Paul uses “we” indicating at least Timothy in his company. It is likely Timothy also served as Paul’s secretary or copyist.

2	Corinth: See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 2000© on 1 Corinthians.

3	Achaia: Something of a term for Greece.

2CO1:2 unmerited favor and peace to all of you from our Father God and [the] Master Jesus Christ. 4

4	God and [the] Master Jesus Christ: As in all of Paul’s letters the Holy Ghost is missing in the salutation.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 – Comfort during Oppression

2CO1:3 Blessed be The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ 5 – the Father of mercies and God of all comfort 6 –

5	The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ: As in Ephesians 1:3, 17 and elsewhere. The Father is The God of Jesus Christ Glorified. Generally in 2 Corinthians, as in all his other letters, Paul uses the article before God [HO THEOS], “The God,” as does John in John 1:1.

6	Comfort: The word “comfort” is used here in 2 Corinthians chapter one more than anywhere else in the Bible.

2CO1:4 the One comforting us during all of our oppression, 7 that we may continue to comfort others in all their oppression by means of the comfort that we ourselves are being comforted by The God.

7	Oppression: Or, tribulation, affliction, persecution.

2CO1:5 Just as the sufferings of the Christ abound in all of us, just so also our comfort is by means of the Christ. 2CO1:6 Now whether we continue under oppression – it is in behalf of your comfort and salvation. Whether we are being comforted, it is in behalf of your comfort as the inner energy 8 causing you to endure the very same sufferings that we also continue to suffer.

8	Inner energy: Or, works, operates within. The Greek is ENERGOUMENES.

2CO1:7 Also, our hope in your behalf is strong and sure, fully aware that you all share these sufferings, and thus also, the comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 – Rescue from Oppression

2CO1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, regarding our oppression that occurred in Asia – that beyond our own strength we were tremendously burdened, as though there was no way out, as our lives [were in danger]. 2CO1:9 But, when we ourselves had received a death-sentence – so that we may never trust in ourselves, but rather upon The God, the One raising up those dead – 2CO1:10 out of so great a death He did rescue us – and will continue to rescue us. It is in Him that we have hoped that He will also rescue us again. 2CO1:11 Also, by your cooperating together in supplications 9 for us, so that from many [upturned] faces 10 we might receive a charismatic gift 11 because of so many expressing thanks in our behalf.

9	Cooperating together in supplications: Or, KJV: helping together by prayer; MOF: your co-operation in prayer. Nothing may unify a congregation more than shared prayers together.

10	Many [upturned] faces: Or, many tongues, many lips, so many people.

11	Receive a charismatic gift: Or, gifts, blessings, gracious favor.

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 – Holy and Sincere Conduct

2CO1:12 For this is our boasting – our conscience testifying of this – that in godly holiness and sincerity 12 – and not in fleshly wisdom, but in God’s unmerited favor – we have behaved ourselves in the world of humanity – but most of all because of you [Corinthians].

12	Sincerity: Or, simplicity, singleness, pure motives.

2CO1:13 For we write to you only for one reason – whether you are reading or otherwise recognize this – and I am hoping that you will recognize this completely – 2CO1:14 just as you are also recognized by us – that we are a cause for your boasting, just as you [Corinthians] are our cause for boasting in the Day of our Master Jesus. 13

13

Cause for boasting in the Day of our Master Jesus: On the day of the parousia-judgment only two voices will be heard: a] those who speak with confidence in an outspoken manner because they know they have followed the Master; and, b] those of shame and great embarrassment because they know they wasted their lives. Compare notes on Daniel 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. [Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:28]

2 Corinthians 1:15-22 – Our “Yes” and God’s Guarantee

2CO1:15 So it was with this confidence I previously wished to come in your direction, so that you might have a second joyful [visit], 2CO1:16 and then passing through you [in Corinth], [I wished] to continue on to Macedonia, and then, after returning in your direction, to be sent on into Judea. 2CO1:17 So, though this was my intent, perhaps I dealt with it lightly after all? Or, did I just take personal counsel in a fleshly way? So that my “Yes, Yes,” becomes, “No, No.” 2CO1:18 But The God can be trusted that our promise regarding you [Corinthians] is “Yes” and not also, “No.” 14

14	“Yes” and not also, “No”: Compare notes on Matthew 5:37.

2CO1:19 For the Son of The God, Christ Jesus, the One we preached among you – that is through me, Silvanus and Timothy – he did not become “Yes” and “No,” but rather he has become “Yes” as [Jesus]. 2CO1:20 For no matter how many God’s promises, 15 in Jesus they are “Yes.” Also, by means of Jesus is the “Amen” regarding God’s glory by means of us.

15	No matter how many God’s promises: Compare the OT “Jesus” at Joshua 21:45.

2CO1:21 But the One confirming us 16 together with you [Corinthians] as belonging to Christ, and having anointed us, 17 is God.

16	Confirming us: Or, established, guaranteed.

17	Having anointed us: This is paralleled to “confirming us.” Compare 2 Corinthians 1:22. On anointing see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 2000© on 1 John 2:20, 27.

2CO1:22 Also, [God] is the One who sealed us 18 and gave us the token 19 of the Pneuma within our hearts.

18	Sealed us: Or, stamped. Compare notes I Nazarene Commentary 2000 2000© on Ephesians 1:18. Sealing is a manifestation of holy Pneuma confirming God’s ownership and thus confirming the promised inheritance.

19	Gave us the token: Or, earnest, pledge, first installment, foretaste, security deposit.

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 – Not Masters but Co-workers

2CO1:23 However, I am calling on The God as a witness against my own soul that I spare you whenever I arrive in Corinth. 2CO1:24 Not that we are the masters of what you believe, 20 but rather we are co-workers for your joy, 21 for it is by your own conviction that you stand firm.

20

We are the masters of what you believe: Or, KJV: dominion over your faith; TCN: dictate to your with regard to your faith; KNX: domineer over your faith; ASV: not that we have lordship over your faith; PME: dominate you and your faith; NEB: dictating the terms of your faith; CON: as though your faith was enslaved to my authority. Despite Paul’s apostolic authority, he was not the master of what the disciples chose to believe. This did not mean just any teachings were permitted within the Church. [Ephesians 4:14, 15]

21	We are co-workers for your joy: Or, helpers, we work with you. Any Church leadership must be in the lead as examples of workers in the field of the Master.

Review Questions on Chapter One