2 Corinthians 1:20

KJV

For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} all {G3745} the promises {G1860} of God {G2316} in {G1722} him {G846} are yea {G3483}, and {G2532} in {G1722} him {G846} Amen {G281}, unto {G4314} the glory {G1391} of God {G2316} by {G1223} us {G2257}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For however many promises God has made, they all find their “Yes” in connection with him; that is why it is through him that we say the “Amen” when we give glory to God.

Berean Standard Bible

For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.

American Standard Version

For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 1:20 is a profound declaration of God's absolute faithfulness and the unwavering certainty of His divine promises, all of which find their ultimate affirmation and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, assuring believers that God's word is entirely trustworthy and that His every pledge is guaranteed, culminating in His glory being revealed through the lives of those who believe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's defense of his apostolic integrity and the trustworthiness of his ministry. In the preceding verses ([2 Corinthians 1:15-19](/2_corinthians/1-15-19 "Paul's Defense of His Ministry")), Paul addresses accusations from some in the Corinthian church that he was fickle or inconsistent, specifically concerning a change in his travel plans. He emphatically denies any "yes and no" in his preaching or personal conduct, asserting that his message of Christ was always a consistent "yes." Verse 20 then pivots from his personal consistency to the divine consistency, arguing that just as his message about Christ is unwavering, so too are God's promises in Christ. This theological anchor provides the ultimate basis for the reliability of the gospel Paul preached and for the very character of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was a diverse and often contentious community, influenced by Greek rhetorical traditions that valued persuasive speech and philosophical debate. Paul's opponents likely used his changed travel plans as a point of attack, suggesting he was unreliable, perhaps even deceitful, which would undermine the authority of his message. In the ancient world, a person's word, especially that of an apostle or a leader, carried immense weight. Paul's defense, therefore, was not merely about personal reputation but about the integrity of the gospel itself. By grounding the certainty of his message in God's faithfulness, affirmed in Christ, Paul appealed to a higher authority than human rhetoric or fickle promises, establishing a bedrock of divine reliability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. It underscores **God's unwavering faithfulness**, presenting Him as utterly dependable, unlike human beings who may vacillate. It highlights the **supremacy and centrality of Jesus Christ** as the ultimate guarantor and embodiment of all divine promises, making Him the "Amen" of God. Furthermore, it speaks to the **assurance and confidence** believers can have in their faith, knowing that their hope is built on God's certain word. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **glory of God** as the ultimate purpose of this divine certainty, suggesting that the fulfillment of His promises through Christ is meant to elicit praise and worship from His people, thereby magnifying His name. This theme of God's glory is pervasive throughout Paul's letters, as seen in passages like [Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "To the Praise of His Glory") and [Philippians 2:11](/philippians/2-11 "Every Tongue Confess Jesus Christ to the Glory of God the Father").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Promises (Greek, _epangelía_):** This term refers to an announcement, a divine assurance of good, or a pledge. In this context, it encompasses all of God's covenantal pledges, His declarations of intent, and His commitments to humanity, particularly those related to salvation, blessing, and the coming of His kingdom. It signifies God's self-binding word, which He is obligated by His character to fulfill.
* **Yea (Greek, _naí_):** A primary particle of strong affirmation, meaning "yes," "certainly," or "indeed." It conveys absolute agreement and confirmation. When applied to God's promises in Christ, it signifies that every one of them is affirmed as true, certain, and fully endorsed by God.
* **Amen (Greek, _amḗn_):** A transliteration of a Hebrew word, meaning "so be it," "truly," or "it is firm/certain." It is an expression of absolute certainty, confirmation, and ratification. In Christ, God's promises are not merely affirmed but are sealed, made absolutely secure, and brought to their definitive conclusion. The use of "Amen" here underscores the finality and unchangeability of God's word in Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all the promises of God in him [are] yea":** This opening clause establishes the universal scope of God's promises ("all the promises") and their absolute certainty ("yea"). The crucial phrase "in him" (referring to Christ) indicates that Jesus is the sphere, the context, and the means by which every divine promise finds its affirmation. It's not just that God's promises are true, but their truth is specifically realized and guaranteed *in Christ*.
* **"and in him Amen":** This phrase further intensifies the certainty established by "yea." "Amen" adds a dimension of finality, ratification, and divine sealing. It implies that in Christ, God's promises are not only affirmed but are brought to their definitive conclusion and made utterly trustworthy. Jesus Himself is the living embodiment of God's "Amen," the one who brings all of God's purposes to pass.
* **"unto the glory of God by us":** This concluding phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and outcome of God's faithfulness in Christ. The fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus is not an end in itself, but it leads to "the glory of God." The phrase "by us" (or "through us") indicates that believers are the instruments or channels through whom this glory is manifested. As we experience the certainty and fulfillment of God's promises in our lives, our response of faith, worship, and obedient living brings praise and honor to God, making His faithfulness visible to the world.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, seen in the pairing of "yea" and "Amen." Both terms convey affirmation and certainty, but "Amen" adds an intensified sense of finality and divine ratification, reinforcing the unshakeable nature of God's promises. The phrase "in him" is repeated, creating **Anaphora** (repetition at the beginning of successive clauses), which emphasizes the absolute centrality of Christ as the locus of all divine fulfillment. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Theological Statement**, a concise and profound declaration that encapsulates a core truth about God's character and His redemptive plan. The entire statement also carries the weight of **Apostolic Authority**, as Paul, an apostle, delivers this truth with conviction, grounding his own ministry's reliability in the ultimate reliability of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound truth of 2 Corinthians 1:20 resonates throughout the biblical narrative, affirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His redemptive plan, all centered in Christ. This verse assures us that God is not a God who changes His mind or fails to deliver on His word. His promises are not conditional on human performance but are secured by His very nature and perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. This certainty provides the bedrock for Christian hope, empowering believers to trust God implicitly, knowing that His "yes" in Christ is eternally firm. It transforms our understanding of prayer, worship, and daily living, as we participate in the unfolding of God's glorious purposes.

* [Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "God is Faithful Who Promised")
* [Romans 15:8](/romans/15-8 "Christ Confirmed the Promises")
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promises Made to Abraham and His Seed, Who Is Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Corinthians 1:20 serves as an enduring wellspring of hope, confidence, and worship. In a world characterized by broken promises, shifting sands, and uncertain futures, this verse anchors our faith in the unchangeable character of God. It means that every promise we encounter in Scripture—from the assurance of salvation and forgiveness to the promise of His presence, provision, and ultimate return—is not a mere possibility but a divine certainty, sealed in Christ. This truth should embolden our prayers, knowing that when we pray according to God's will and His revealed promises, we are aligning ourselves with what is already "yea and Amen" in Him. Our lives, then, become living testimonies to God's faithfulness, as we experience the fulfillment of His word, bringing Him glory and inviting others to trust in the God who keeps every promise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that "all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen" impact your personal trust in God's word and His character, especially during times of uncertainty or doubt?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to lean more heavily on the certainty of God's promises, rather than on your own efforts or the world's assurances?**
* **Considering that the fulfillment of God's promises is "unto the glory of God by us," how can your life more intentionally reflect and magnify God's faithfulness to others?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen"?**

Answer: This profound statement means that every single promise God has ever made, from the Old Testament covenants to the New Testament assurances, finds its absolute affirmation ("yea" or "yes") and its ultimate, unshakeable fulfillment ("Amen" or "so be it") in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not just the one through whom promises are made, but the very embodiment and guarantor of their truth and certainty. He is God's definitive "yes" to humanity, ensuring that every divine pledge will be brought to pass. This provides believers with unwavering confidence in God's faithfulness.

**How does this verse relate to Paul's personal integrity and the gospel message?**

Answer: Paul uses this verse to defend his own integrity and the reliability of the gospel he preached. In [2 Corinthians 1:17](/2_corinthians/1-17 "Paul's Consistency"), some in the Corinthian church accused him of being fickle due to a change in his travel plans. Paul counters this by asserting that his message regarding Christ was never "yes and no" but always a consistent "yes." He then elevates this to a theological principle: just as his message about Christ is unwavering, so too are God's promises in Christ. By grounding the certainty of his ministry in the absolute certainty of God's promises fulfilled in Jesus, Paul demonstrates that both his message and his character reflect the unchanging faithfulness of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Corinthians 1:20 unequivocally places Jesus Christ at the very heart of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of all His promises. Jesus is not merely a recipient or a messenger of God's promises; He *is* the "Yea" and the "Amen" of God. This means that every covenant, every prophetic declaration, and every divine pledge finds its ultimate reality and completion in Him. From the promise of a seed who would crush the serpent's head in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium") to the covenant made with Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")), and the promise of a Davidic king whose throne would be established forever ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")), all these find their climactic "yes" in Jesus. He is the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who inaugurates the new covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in His Blood")), and the one through whom eternal life is granted ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). Therefore, to trust in Christ is to trust in the certain fulfillment of all God's promises, ensuring that our hope is not in vain but is anchored in the unchangeable character of God Himself, revealed perfectly in His Son.

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

1 John 2:24

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

1 John 2:25

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, [even] eternal life.

Hebrews 13:8

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

Galatians 3:22

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:12

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:14

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.