1:18 1:18

2 Corinthians 1:19

1:20 1:20

Bible Versions

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.
For {G1063} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}, Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, who {G3588} was preached {G2784} among {G1722} you {G5213} by {G1223} us {G2257}, even by {G1223} me {G1700} and {G2532} Silvanus {G4610} and {G2532} Timotheus {G5095}, was {G1096} not {G3756} yea {G3483} and {G2532} nay {G3756}, but {G235} in {G1722} him {G846} was {G1096} yea {G3483}.
For the Son of God, the Messiah Yeshua, who was proclaimed among you through us — that is, through me and Sila and Timothy — was not a yes-and-no man; on the contrary, with him it is always “Yes!”
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.

Context of 2 Corinthians 1:19

In 2 Corinthians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul is defending his ministry and personal integrity to the Corinthian church. He had planned to visit them but altered his itinerary, leading some to accuse him of being unreliable or inconsistent in his commitments. This verse is a pivotal part of Paul's response to such accusations. He shifts the focus from his own human plans to the divine consistency of the message he preached. By invoking "the Son of God, Jesus Christ," Paul elevates the discussion, asserting that the Gospel's truthfulness is not subject to human fickleness but rests on the unchanging character of Christ Himself. He also emphasizes the unity of his message with that of his co-laborers, Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus (Timothy).

Key Themes

  • Divine Consistency of Christ: The core message is that Jesus Christ is absolutely trustworthy and unchanging. He is not "yea and nay" (inconsistent or vacillating) but "yea" (truthful, reliable, steadfast). This establishes Christ as the ultimate standard of truth and faithfulness.
  • Integrity of the Apostolic Message: Paul, along with his co-laborers Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus (Timothy), preached a unified and consistent message about Jesus. Their preaching was not a mixture of truth and falsehood, or shifting doctrines, but a clear proclamation of Christ's unwavering truth. This directly refutes any claims that Paul's message itself was inconsistent.
  • Foundation of God's Promises: The consistency of Christ underpins the reliability of all God's promises. If Christ Himself is "yea," then all that God has promised through Him is certain and true. This theme is further elaborated in 2 Corinthians 1:20, where Paul states that all the promises of God are "yea and Amen" in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "yea and nay" translates the Greek words nai kai ou (ναὶ καὶ οὔ), meaning "yes and no." This signifies inconsistency, vacillation, or a lack of straightforwardness. In contrast, "yea" comes from the Greek word nai (ναὶ), which is a strong affirmation, meaning "yes, indeed," or "certainly." Paul's point is that while human words and plans might be inconsistent, the very essence of Jesus Christ, and therefore the Gospel message, is utterly consistent and true. This echoes Jesus' own teaching on the importance of simple truthfulness in speech, as found in Matthew 5:37: "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

Practical Application

This verse offers profound implications for believers today:

  • Trust in Christ's Unchanging Nature: In a world filled with shifting opinions, broken promises, and unreliable leaders, Jesus Christ remains the same. We can build our lives and faith on His consistent character and unwavering truth.
  • Integrity in Our Own Lives: As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His truthfulness. Our "yes" should mean "yes," and our "no" should mean "no." This promotes integrity in our relationships and witness, mirroring the character of the One we serve.
  • Confidence in the Gospel: The message of salvation through Christ is not a fleeting trend or a changeable doctrine. It is grounded in the eternal truth of God's Son, providing a firm foundation for our faith and hope.
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.

  • Hebrews 13:8

    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

  • Revelation 1:17

    And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  • 2 John 1:9

    Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Revelation 2:18

    And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass;

  • Revelation 1:8

    I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

  • Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Jesus [was] Christ.
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