2 Corinthians 1:1

KJV

¶ 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:

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:

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the standard Pauline epistolary greeting, immediately following the unstated title of the letter and preceding the customary benediction. It sets the stage for the entire epistle by establishing the authority of the sender and the identity of the recipients. The first letter to the Corinthians had addressed numerous challenging issues within the church, including divisions, immorality, and theological misunderstandings. Second Corinthians, therefore, builds upon that foundation, responding to further developments, defending Paul's apostolic ministry against detractors, and offering profound theological reflections on suffering, comfort, and reconciliation. The inclusion of Timothy signals a continuity of partnership and shared concern for the Corinthian believers, a theme that recurs throughout Paul's letters, such as in [Philippians 1:1](/philippians/1-1 "Paul and Timothy's Greeting to Philippi").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a prominent and prosperous port city in ancient Greece, strategically located on an isthmus connecting mainland Greece with the Peloponnese. Its commercial success led to a diverse, cosmopolitan, and often morally lax culture, influenced by various philosophical schools and pagan cults, including the temple of Aphrodite. This environment presented unique challenges for the nascent Christian community, as evidenced by the issues addressed in both Corinthian letters. The Roman province of Achaia encompassed much of southern Greece, with Corinth serving as its capital. Addressing "all the saints which are in all Achaia" indicates that Paul's ministry extended beyond the urban center, recognizing the presence of scattered Christian communities throughout the wider region and the need for a unified message.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several key themes that will be developed throughout the epistle. Foremost is the theme of **Apostolic Authority**, as Paul asserts his commission "by the will of God," a crucial defense against those who questioned his legitimacy in Corinth. This divine appointment underscores that his message and ministry are not of human origin but are divinely sanctioned, echoing similar declarations in other epistles like [Galatians 1:1](/galatians/1-1 "Paul's Assertion of Divine Apostleship"). Another significant theme is **Partnership in Ministry**, highlighted by the inclusion of Timothy, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the early Christian mission and the mutual support among ministers. Finally, the designation of recipients as "the church of God" and "all the saints" reinforces the theme of **Christian Identity**, emphasizing that believers are a distinct people, set apart by God and belonging to Him, a concept foundational to Paul's theology of the church as seen in [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "The Church as God's Dwelling Place").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Apostle (Greek, _apóstolos'_):** From G652, meaning "a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ('apostle') (with miraculous powers)." Paul's self-designation as an "apostle" is not merely a title but an assertion of his divinely ordained authority and commission directly from Christ, establishing the legitimacy of his message and ministry, which was often challenged in Corinth.
* **Will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** From G2307, meaning "a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination." The phrase "by the will of God" profoundly emphasizes that Paul's apostleship was not a self-appointed role or a human ambition, but a direct result of God's sovereign purpose and deliberate choice, giving ultimate divine backing to his authority.
* **Church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From G1577, meaning "a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)." This term identifies the recipients as a community "called out" by God, signifying their distinct identity and purpose as God's gathered people, set apart from the surrounding pagan culture of Corinth and Achaia.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God":** This initial phrase establishes the primary sender and the divine source of his authority. Paul's apostleship is not self-proclaimed but is a direct commission from Jesus Christ, whose authority is itself rooted in the sovereign will of God. This declaration serves as a crucial foundation for the entire letter, especially given the challenges Paul faced regarding his legitimacy in Corinth.
* **"and Timothy our brother":** Paul includes Timothy, his faithful companion and co-worker, in the salutation. This highlights the collaborative nature of their ministry and signifies Timothy's close association with Paul's work and message, lending additional weight and shared authority to the letter's contents. The term "brother" emphasizes their spiritual kinship and shared mission.
* **"unto the church of God which is at Corinth":** This specifies the primary recipient of the letter: the Christian community in Corinth. The designation "church of God" underscores their divine ownership and identity as those belonging to God, despite their many struggles and imperfections. It reminds them of their sacred calling and corporate identity.
* **"with all the saints which are in all Achaia":** This broadens the scope of the letter's intended audience beyond the city of Corinth to include all believers, referred to as "saints," throughout the entire Roman province of Achaia. This indicates that the message contained within the epistle was relevant and intended for a wider network of Christian communities, fostering unity and shared understanding across the region.

#### 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.

* [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Paul's Apostolic Greeting")
* [Ephesians 1:1](/ephesians/1-1 "Paul's Greeting to the Saints in Ephesus")
* [Galatians 1:1](/galatians/1-1 "Paul, an Apostle by God's Will")

### 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
* **How does understanding Paul's apostleship as "by the will of God" impact your view of spiritual authority today?**
* **In what ways does your identity as a "saint" (one set apart by God) influence your daily life and choices?**
* **How can you foster greater partnership and collaboration within your local church or Christian community, reflecting the example of Paul and Timothy?**

### 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](/galatians/1-1 "Paul, an Apostle by God's Will, Not Man's").

**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](/1_timothy/1-2 "Timothy, My True Child in the Faith")). 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](/galatians/1-2 "To the Churches of Galatia").

### 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](/hebrews/3-1 "Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest") 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](/1_corinthians/1-2 "Called to be Saints in Christ Jesus") affirms. The church is the body of Christ, with Him as its head ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church")), 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 1:1

¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 1:1

¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1

¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Titus 1:1

¶ Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Acts 16:1

¶ Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek:

1 Corinthians 16:10

¶ Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].