“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 1:20 – 2:1
Verses 1-2 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: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul opens this epistle or letter with his signature statement, “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” He always includes the words “grace” and “peace” in all of his writings.
Achaia was a Roman province made up mostly of what today is Greece, and the name means “trouble”.
Application: Notice that the Apostle Paul refers to the church at Corinth. Churches were always identified, not by proper names, but by location. The church at Corinth would include all believers regardless of where they met and worshipped. Today one would say, “the church at Portland or the church at Seattle.” The reason for this was that all the early churches were in agreement with the doctrines of the Gospel as taught by Jesus Christ and His disciples. There were no denominations with their own brand of doctrine and religion. Most denominational churches have strayed from the truth of the Gospel and are teaching the doctrines of men which ultimately came from Satan himself.
Verses 3-4 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.
Application: If one is a born again believer in Jesus Christ, there will be trouble and tribulation constantly as Satan and his fallen angels work to try and destroy Christians. But as the Apostle Paul states above, God is merciful and comforts His children in their times of trouble and brings them through life’s circumstances so that they learn to trust in Him, to rest in Him, and can then testify to others of the goodness of God.
Verses 5-7 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.
The Greek word translated as “sufferings” is “pathema” and it means suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil, and affliction. Jesus Christ patiently endured all the evil attacks of the Jews and their devils and the humiliation of the fake court hearings that culminated in a painful and tortuous death for the purpose of setting mankind free from the bondage of sin, death and Hell. The Apostle Paul, who was under constant attack from the religious Jews and others opposing Jesus Christ and the Gospel, suffered similar evil and affliction as a representative of Jesus Christ. Therefore, he equates his suffering and that of his fellow ministers of the Gospel to that of the LORD Jesus Christ as, like Jesus, his ministry is to set mankind free from the bondage of sin, death and Hell through knowledge and relationship with Jesus who is God Almighty manifested in the flesh. Therefore, he states that his encouragement or comfort when afflicted or suffering for the sake of the Gospel comes from knowing that his ministry is resulting in the people at Corinth being saved, just as Jesus knew that His ministry and suffering would result in people everywhere being saved. Likewise, those suffering for the Gospel at Corinth needed to know and understand that they too could be consoled that their suffering was profitable for the spreading of the Gospel and the salvation of souls.
Verses 8-10 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: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Asia in early Church times was the region now occupied by the modern nation of Turkey and it included Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia, all areas in which the Apostle Paul ministered. The trials and tribulations he and his companions experienced there were so great that they at times gave up hope of surviving physically and longed to be with Jesus Christ in His spiritual Kingdom. They could not rely on or trust in their own intellect, power and decisions, but trusted in the LORD who delivered them out of the peril and who would do so again according to His will.
Application: Scripture speaks of a time in which the only way to survive life on Earth is to totally rely on the LORD Jesus Christ. Just as the Hebrew children had to rely on God when in the wilderness for their water, food, clothing, shelter, protection, health, and every other aspect of living, Christian believers today need to seriously start relying of Him for every little thing each and every day so that they can learn to rely on Him for the big things as the world situation deteriorates around them and life becomes more difficult because the end of time is getting nearer.
Verses 11-12 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.
The Apostle Paul thanks the Corinthian church for their prayers which helped to deliver them from adversity and suffering and acknowledges these prayers as gifts by many on their behalf. He and his fellow workers have clear consciences in that their behavior and actions towards others and towards the people of Corinth in particular were not motivated by fleshly aspirations or self seeking, but by a sincere and Godly desire to share the truth and wisdom of the Gospel so that peoples’ lives would be changed and they would inherit eternal life in Heaven.
Verses 13-14 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 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.
The relationship between the Apostle Paul and the converts in Corinth is such that as they write to each other and pray for each other they should experience a trust and joy that will last until the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verses 15-16 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; 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.
The Apostle Paul states that he purposed to visit the church at Corinth for a second time when he thought he would be going through Macedonia on his way to Judaea. It was his sincere desire to see them all again.
Verses 17-20 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? 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. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Although he was determined to visit a second time, apparently this visit did not happen and the Apostle Paul asks the Corinthians if they thought he was just joking about coming. Was he being fickle? The answer of course was no, and that they could be assured that his yes means yes, but he also had to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit/Ghost and could not just follow the leading of his flesh or own desires. So just because his plans had to change, the Corinthians were to remember that Jesus Christ never changes and that all of the promises made by Him are yes (yea) and yes (Amen).
Application: There are no “no’s” to God’s promises. Did He say He would heal His people? Yes. But his people are still sick. Claim the promises and have faith. Did He promise eternal life in Heaven? Yes, so claim it and look forward to it. Did He promise to never leave or forsake His people? Yes. Regardless of how one feels each day, He is always present as He dwells inside His people. Did He promise to provide for His people? Yes, and He will regardless of the financial or employment circumstances being experienced at the present time. Did He promise to build His Church? Yes, and He will always have a remnant people for as long as time exists. His promises are true and always “yes” and will never fail. Plain and simple.
Verses 21-24 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (2 Corinthians 1)
The Greek word translated as “stablisheth” is “bebaioo” and it means to make firm, establish, confirm or make sure. Both the Apostle Paul and the people of the Corinthian church were made sure or established in the Kingdom of God by God, and they were sealed with His Holy Ghost/Spirit. Only those having faith in Jesus Christ can be sealed with His Spirit who will be forever with them in this life to guide them in the way they should go until either physical death or the return of the LORD Jesus Christ puts them in His presence in Heaven.