2 Corinthians 1:1

¶ 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:

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}:

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:

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:

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:

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians opens with a customary yet profound greeting from the Apostle Paul, setting the tone for a letter that addresses deep personal and theological matters within the early Christian community.

Context of 2 Corinthians 1:1

This verse serves as the salutation, identifying the authors and recipients of the letter. Paul, the primary author, was a pivotal figure in early Christianity, responsible for spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. His first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians) had addressed numerous issues, from divisions to moral failings, and this subsequent letter responds to developments and defends Paul's apostolic ministry. Timothy, a trusted companion and fellow minister, is included in the greeting, signifying his close partnership with Paul. The letter is addressed to "the church of God which is at Corinth," a significant and wealthy port city in the Roman province of Achaia, known for its diverse population and various cultural influences. The inclusion of "all the saints which are in all Achaia" broadens the letter's scope beyond just the city church, indicating its relevance to believers throughout the region.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Apostolic Authority: Paul immediately asserts his divine calling as "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." This emphasizes that his ministry and teachings were not self-appointed but divinely ordained, a crucial point given the challenges to his authority in Corinth. This echoes his self-introduction in other letters, such as Romans 1:1.
  • Partnership in Ministry: The mention of "Timothy our brother" highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian ministry. Paul often included co-workers in his greetings, acknowledging their shared labor and mutual respect.
  • Identity of the Believer: The recipients are called "the church of God" and "all the saints." This underscores their collective identity as those belonging to God and set apart for His purposes, a common Pauline designation for believers (Ephesians 1:1).
  • Broad Reach: The letter's address to "all Achaia" demonstrates that Paul's message extended beyond the specific congregation in Corinth to the wider community of believers in the region, fostering unity and shared understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The term "apostle" (Greek: apostolos) literally means "one sent forth" or "a messenger," but in the New Testament, it specifically denotes someone commissioned by Christ with divine authority to proclaim the Gospel and establish the church. Paul's phrase "by the will of God" (Greek: dia thelematos Theou) profoundly emphasizes the divine origin and legitimacy of his apostleship, contrasting it with human appointment or ambition. The word "saints" (Greek: hagioi) refers to those who are consecrated or set apart by God, not necessarily implying moral perfection, but rather their holy status through Christ.

Practical Application

This opening verse reminds us of the foundational truths of Christian ministry and identity. For believers today, it highlights that genuine spiritual authority flows from God's will, not human ambition. It underscores the importance of collaboration and partnership within the body of Christ, as exemplified by Paul and Timothy. Furthermore, it affirms our identity as "saints" – set apart by God for His purposes – and reminds us that the Church is a global body, united across geographical boundaries, sharing a common faith and mission.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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].

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