TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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:
KJV (with Strong's)
Paul G3972, an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by G1223 the will G2307 of God G2316, and G2532 Timothy G5095 our brother G80, unto the church G1577 of God G2316 which G3588 is G5607 at G1722 Corinth G2882, with G4862 all G3956 the saints G40 which G3588 are G5607 in G1722 all G3650 Achaia G882:
Complete Jewish Bible
From: Sha’ul, by God’s will an emissary of the Messiah Yeshua, and brother Timothy
To: God’s Messianic community in Corinth, along with all God’s people throughout Achaia:
To: God’s Messianic community in Corinth, along with all God’s people throughout Achaia:
Berean Standard Bible
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
American Standard Version
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:
World English Bible Messianic
Paul, an emissary of Messiah Yeshua through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the holy ones who are in the whole of Achaia:
Geneva Bible (1599)
Pavl an Apostle of JESVS Christ, by the will of God, and our brother Timotheus, to the Church of God, which is at Corinthus with all the Saints, which are in all Achaia:
Young's Literal Translation
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Timotheus the brother, to the assembly of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
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In the KJVVerse 28,802 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1 verses 1–2
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:
2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have,
I. The inscription; and therein, 1. The person from whom it was sent, namely, Paul, who calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. The apostleship itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God; and Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God. He joins Timotheus with himself in writing this epistle; not because he needed his assistance, but that out of the mouth of two witnesses the word might be established; and this dignifying Timothy with the title of brother (either in the common faith, or in the work of the ministry) shows the humility of this great apostle, and his desire to recommend Timothy (though he was then a young man) to the esteem of the Corinthians, and give him a reputation among the churches. 2. The persons to whom this epistle was sent, namely, the church of God at Corinth: and not only to them, but also to all the saints in all Achaia, that is, to all the Christians who lived in the region round about. Note, In Christ Jesus no distinction is made between the inhabitants of city and country; all Achaia stands upon a level in his account.
II. The salutation or apostolical benediction, which is the same as in his former epistle; and therein the apostle desires the two great and comprehensive blessings, grace and peace, for those Corinthians. These two benefits are fitly joined together, because there is no good and lasting peace without true grace; and both of them come from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the procurer and dispenser of those benefits to fallen man, and is prayed to as God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–2. Public domain.
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AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
Freed from all anxiety about the Corinthians, Paul confidently declares that he is an apostle of the Lord. In the first letter he said that he was “called an apostle,” though he was not approved of by those who had been lured away from his teaching. In order to affirm that his apostleship has been ratified, he adds that he has been made an apostle by the will of God. He writes in association with Timothy, from whom he has heard the good news of the changes which have taken place at Corinth, and he associates the people there with believers in other churches, in order to confirm to them that they have made progress.
Didymus the BlindAD 398
PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH
Paul does not always mention other people besides himself in his salutations. I think that he does this when one of his associates is well-known to the intended recipients. “With all the saints” is ambiguous. Either it means all the saints who were with Paul, or else it means all the saints who were at Corinth.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 1 on 2 Corinthians
"Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timothy our brother." In the first Epistle he promised he would send him; and charged them, saying, "Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear." How then is it that he associates him here in the outset with himself? After he had been amongst them, agreeably to that promise of his teacher, "I have sent unto you Timothy who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which be in Christ," and had set everything in order, he had returned back to Paul; who on sending him, had said, "Set him forward on his journey in peace that he may come to me, for I expect him with the brethren."
Since then Timothy was restored to his teacher, and after having with him set in order the things in Asia, had crossed again into Macedonia; Paul not unreasonably associates him hereafter as abiding with himself. For then he wrote from Asia, but now from Macedonia. Moreover, thus associating him he at once gains increased respect for him, and displays his own exceeding humility: for Timothy was very inferior to himself, yet doth love bring all things together. Whence also he everywhere makes him equal with himself; at one time saying, "as a child serveth a father so he served with me;" at another, "for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do;" and here, he even calleth him, "brother;" by all making him an object of respect to the Corinthians amongst whom he had been, as I have said, and given proof of his worth.
"To the Church of God which is at Corinth." Again he calleth them "the Church," to bring and bind them all together in one. For it could not be one Church, while those within her were sundered and stood apart. "With all the saints which are in the whole of Achaia." In thus saluting all through the Epistle addressed to the Corinthians, he would at once honor these, and bring together the whole nation. But he calls them "saints," thereby implying that if any be an impure person, he hath no share in this salutation. But why, writing to the mother city, does he address all through her, since he doth not so everywhere? For instance, in his Epistle to the Thessalonians he addressed not the Macedonians also; and in like manner in that to the Ephesians he doth not include all Asia; neither was that to the Romans written to those also who dwell in Italy. But in this Epistle he doth so; and in that to the Galatians. For there also he writeth not to one city, or two, or three, but to all who are scattered every where.
PelagiusAD 418
COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 1
People ask why it is that Paul puts his own name first, when the normal custom in letters is to put the name of the addressee at the beginning. The reason for this is that he is an apostle who is writing to those who are accountable to him. This is why he adopts the custom of secular judges, who do the same thing when they write to those over whom they exercise authority. Note too that he did not say “Paul and Timothy,” because they were not both apostles. But in writing to the Philippians Paul did say that, because it was not so necessary for him to stress his authority in that case..
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 289
Timothy and Titus were both sent to Corinth, but Paul did not mention Titus in the letter because he was the one who actually carried it there.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
The opening verse of Second Corinthians serves as a foundational salutation, meticulously identifying the senders and recipients of this crucial epistle. It establishes Paul's divine authority as an apostle, a calling rooted in the sovereign will of God, and includes Timothy as a co-laborer. The letter is addressed not only to the specific Christian community in the bustling city of Corinth but also broadly to all believers, designated as "saints," throughout the Roman province of Achaia, underscoring the epistle's wide-ranging significance for the early church.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The opening verse of 2 Corinthians employs several significant literary devices. Salutation is the overarching device, a standard feature of ancient Greco-Roman letters, immediately identifying the sender(s) and recipient(s). Within this, Apposition is evident in "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ" and "Timothy our brother," where a noun or phrase is placed next to another to explain or identify it, providing immediate clarification of roles and relationships. The phrase "by the will of God" functions as a powerful Assertion and Emphasis, underscoring the divine origin and legitimacy of Paul's apostleship, which was a point of contention in Corinth. Finally, the inclusion of "all the saints which are in all Achaia" demonstrates Inclusivity and a broad scope, indicating that the letter's message was not confined to the Corinthian congregation but was relevant to the wider Christian community in the province, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This opening verse lays a robust theological groundwork for the entire epistle. Paul's assertion of his apostleship as being "by the will of God" immediately establishes the divine authority behind his ministry, a crucial point of contention throughout 2 Corinthians. This divine commissioning means that his message is not merely human opinion but God's truth, carrying the weight of heaven. The designation of the recipients as "the church of God" and "saints" emphasizes their identity as a people set apart and consecrated by God, called into a relationship with Him through Christ, regardless of their present struggles. It highlights the corporate nature of faith and the shared spiritual status of all believers. The inclusion of Timothy underscores the New Testament emphasis on partnership in ministry, demonstrating that God's work is often accomplished through collaborative efforts rather than solitary endeavors.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly simple greeting of 2 Corinthians 1:1 holds profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that true authority in ministry flows from God's sovereign will, not from human ambition, charisma, or institutional appointment alone. For those in leadership, it is a call to humility and dependence on divine commissioning. For all believers, it affirms our identity as "saints"—not because of our perfection, but because God has set us apart in Christ. This holy status should inspire us to live lives that reflect His character and purpose, recognizing that we belong to "the church of God," a global body united by a common faith, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. This verse also champions the value of partnership in ministry, encouraging us to collaborate with fellow believers, acknowledging that we are "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ, called to serve together for the advancement of His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God" mean for Paul's authority?
Answer: This phrase is Paul's consistent assertion that his calling and ministry as an apostle were not self-appointed or derived from human institutions, but directly from Jesus Christ Himself, and ultimately orchestrated by the sovereign purpose and decree of God. It means his authority was divine, not human, giving his teachings and commands ultimate weight and legitimacy. This was particularly crucial in Corinth, where his apostleship was challenged. Paul frequently emphasizes this divine origin, as seen in Galatians 1:1.
Who was Timothy, and why is he mentioned alongside Paul?
Answer: Timothy was a young, trusted companion and co-worker of Paul, whom Paul considered his spiritual son (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:2). His inclusion in the greeting signifies his close partnership with Paul in ministry, his shared concern for the Corinthian church, and potentially to lend additional weight to the letter's message. It also highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian leadership and the importance of mentorship.
What does "the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia" tell us about the recipients?
Answer: This phrase tells us that the letter was primarily intended for the Christian community in the city of Corinth, but its message was also applicable and distributed to all believers ("saints") throughout the broader Roman province of Achaia. "Church of God" emphasizes their divine ownership and identity as God's gathered people, while "saints" highlights their consecrated status through Christ. This broad address suggests the letter's universal relevance to believers in the region, fostering unity and shared understanding among scattered congregations, similar to how Paul addressed the churches in Galatians 1:2.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Corinthians 1:1 primarily focuses on Paul's apostolic identity and the recipients, it profoundly points to Christ in its very fabric. Paul's apostleship is "of Jesus Christ," meaning his commission, message, and authority flow directly from the resurrected Lord. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "sent one," the Apostle of our confession, as Hebrews 3:1 declares, sent by the Father to accomplish His will. Paul's ministry, therefore, is a participation in Christ's own mission. Furthermore, the very existence of "the church of God" and "all the saints" is entirely dependent on Christ. It is through His atoning work that individuals are called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, becoming "saints" (holy ones) in Him, as 1 Corinthians 1:2 affirms. The church is the body of Christ, with Him as its head (Colossians 1:18), gathered by His Spirit, and living out God's will revealed and accomplished in Him. Thus, this seemingly simple greeting is deeply Christ-centered, establishing that all authority, identity, and purpose in the Christian life and ministry originate from and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.