2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Meaning
Greeting and Thanksgiving
2 Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the opening verses of 2 Corinthians, Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by God's will. He is writing to the church of God in Corinth, which includes all believers in Achaia. Paul's greeting is filled with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving for Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Paul's thanksgiving is directed to God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. He praises God for comforting him and his companions in all their afflictions. This comfort is not just for their own benefit, but also so that they can comfort others who are facing difficulties. Paul emphasizes that their sufferings and comfort are both for the benefit of the Corinthian church.
Delivered from Death
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the trouble we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
Paul shares with the Corinthian church about the severe troubles he and his companions faced in Asia. They were so burdened and despairing that they felt they had received a death sentence. However, this experience taught them to rely not on themselves, but on God who raises the dead. This near-death experience made them realize their dependence on God's power and mercy.
Thanksgiving for Intercession
2 Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Paul concludes this section by expressing his gratitude for the Corinthians' intercession on their behalf. He asks them to continue praying for them, so that many will give thanks to God for the blessings they receive through the prayers of many. This emphasizes the importance of prayer and the interconnectedness of believers in Christ.
