1:20 us. (d-23) Or 'with' or 'before God, for glory by us.' It may be read thus. 'was not yea and nay, but in him is the yea, (for whatsoever promises of God there are, in him is the yea, and in him the amen,) for glory to God by us.' read more
Introductory Section2 Corinthians 1:1-11. Salutation and ThanksgivingAfter the usual epistolary introduction, St. Paul makes pointed reference to a severe trouble he has lately endured, and gives thanks to God for deliverance from it.1. By the will of God] He asserts his divine call to office in presence of opposition: cp. 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1, and contrast Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, in cases where his relations to the Church were happy. Saints] A common designation of... read more
(20) All the promises of God . . .—Literally, as many as are the promises of God. Many of the better MSS. give a different reading: “In him is the Yea, wherefore also by him is the Amen to God for glory by our means.” The thought in either case is the same. The promises of God have been fulfilled and ratified in Christ. He was, as it were, a living incarnate “Amen” to those promises. Comp. St. John’s use of the word Amen as a name of Christ, the “faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14).... read more
Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 I. The Relation of Comfort to Trouble. When we deal with sorrow, not merely as a practical but as a personal fact, no general considerations suffice; speculation is powerless to assuage grief. We only know it is there, and we must either have it taken away or must be taught how to bear it; in other words, we feel the pain, and we long after either happiness or comfort. And of the two it is not happiness but comfort that God has appointed for us. With Christ,... read more
Chapter 3THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION.2 Corinthians 1:15-20 (R.V)THE emphatic words in the first sentence are "in this confidence." All the Apostle’s plans for visiting Corinth, both in general and in their details, depended upon the maintenance of a good understanding between himself and the Church; and the very prominence here given to this condition is a tacit accusation of those whose conduct had destroyed his confidence. When he intimated his intention of visiting them, according to the... read more
2. Paul’s Experience and Explanations. CHAPTER 1:8-24 1. His Experience. (2 Corinthians 1:8-14 ) 2. His Explanations. (2 Corinthians 1:15-24 ) The Apostle speaks, first of all, of the trouble he had when he was pressed out of measure (or “weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power”), in so much that he despaired of his life. What experience did he mean? The question cannot be positively answered. It may have been the trouble in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-41 ) to which he refers in 1 Corinthians... read more
1:20 {12} For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in {u} him Amen, unto the glory of God by {x} us.(12) Last of all he declares the sum of his doctrine, that is, that all the promises of salvation are sure and ratified in Christ.(u) Christ is set also forth to exhibit and fulfil them most assuredly, and without any doubt.(x) Through our ministry. read more
It is again with apostolic authority that Paul writes, the will of God, a predominant matter in the epistle. While Paul uses his authority in lowliness, yet he must assert God's authority in writing. Here, however, instead of Sosthenes, he links Timothy with him, a young man well known for his genuine care for souls, a true minister of God; and who had recently visited the Corinthians, possibly having carried Paul's First Epistle to them. While the assembly of God at Corinth is addressed, yet... read more
THE APOSTLE ’S EXPLANATION Paul had left Ephesus where his first epistle had been written to this church, had crossed into Macedonia, and was now in Philippi (see Acts 19:23 to Acts 20:3 with 2 Corinthians 8:1 to 2 Corinthians 9:2 of this epistle.) The reception given his first letter had been generally favorable, but all had not submitted to his rebuke, and the adversaries who opposed his teachings before were more virulent than ever, now seeking to undermine his authority as an... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 1:20
The promises referred to here are evidently the ones that have found their fulfillment in Christ. God was completely trustworthy, not 90 percent or 95 percent reliable in fulfilling these promises. Therefore the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:18) as well as the Son of God (2 Corinthians 1:19) demonstrate consistency.In view of the faithfulness of God, the only proper response is "Amen!" ("Let it be so!"). The early Christians commonly spoke this word in unison in their meetings to affirm the... read more