2 Corinthians 1:1 kjv

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:

2 Corinthians 1:1 nkjv

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 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:

2 Corinthians 1:1 niv

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 his holy people throughout Achaia:

2 Corinthians 1:1 esv

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

2 Corinthians 1:1 nlt

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God's church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 1 Meaning

Second Corinthians 1:1 begins with a salutation, identifying the letter's primary author, Paul, as an apostle chosen directly by God's will. He is joined by Timothy, whom he acknowledges as a spiritual brother. The letter is addressed to the "church of God" in Corinth, a specific assembly of believers, but also broadly extended to "all the saints" throughout the entire Roman province of Achaia, emphasizing a wider Christian community.

2 Corinthians 1 1 Context

The city of Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, a prominent and wealthy trade center with a reputation for immorality and diverse philosophies. Paul had founded the church there during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17), spending eighteen months teaching. His first letter to the Corinthians addressed numerous internal issues and moral failings within the church. However, Paul's authority had been challenged since then, leading to a "painful visit" and a "severe letter" (referenced in 2 Cor 2:1 and 7:8). This Second Letter to the Corinthians serves multiple purposes: to explain his change of travel plans, defend his apostolic ministry against accusers, encourage the Corinthians, and prepare them for his final visit and the collection for Jerusalem saints. Beginning with an assertion of his divinely-appointed apostleship directly addresses the legitimacy of his authority, which was under scrutiny in Corinth, and sets the tone for the letter's forthcoming exhortations and defenses. The inclusion of "all Achaia" suggests Paul's awareness that his issues with the Corinthian church had wider repercussions, and the solutions presented would be relevant for all believers in the province.

2 Corinthians 1 1 Word analysis

• Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The Greek name adopted by Saul of Tarsus. It reflects his Roman citizenship and likely signifies a shift from his Jewish heritage name (Saul, often associated with King Saul) to one more fitting for his Gentile mission, although its precise origin is debated. This simple introduction immediately establishes authorship.
• an apostle (ἀπόστολος - apostolos): Meaning "one sent forth" or "messenger." In the Christian context, it denotes a unique office given by Christ directly, often through a commissioning encounter (as with Paul on the Damascus road). This signifies divinely endowed authority to preach, teach, and establish the Church, distinguishing Paul from ordinary teachers.
• of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - Iēsou Christou): Highlights the source of Paul's apostleship. It is not of human origin, but is rooted in Christ's authority and commissioning. "Christ" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "anointed one," emphasizing Jesus' divine kingship and redemptive role.
• by the will of God (διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ - dia thelēmatos Theou): This crucial phrase underscores Paul's legitimacy. His call was not self-initiated, nor was it based on human election or ecclesiastical appointment, but directly orchestrated by divine sovereignty. This claim was vital for defending his ministry against those who questioned his authority in Corinth, establishing that his message and actions derived from God Himself.
• and Timothy (καὶ Τιμόθεος - kai Timotheos): Paul's faithful and beloved protégé and co-worker. His inclusion often serves to affirm Paul's message, indicate the collective nature of their ministry, and show humility by not claiming sole authority. Timothy had also recently visited Corinth, making his inclusion particularly pertinent.
• our brother (ὁ ἀδελφός - ho adelphos): Signifies a familial spiritual bond within the body of Christ. It implies not just a colleague but a fellow believer, reflecting equality in their spiritual standing, even while acknowledging Paul's distinct apostolic office. It softens the authoritative tone and emphasizes shared fellowship.
• unto the church of God (τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ - tē ekklēsia tou Theou): "Church" (ekklēsia) originally referred to a gathering or assembly, but in the New Testament, it uniquely refers to the community of believers in Christ. "Of God" emphatically declares divine ownership; it is God's assembly, purchased by His Son's blood, not a human organization, thus emphasizing its sanctity and divine purpose.
• which is at Corinth (τῇ οὔσῃ ἐν Κορίνθῳ - tē ousē en Korinthō): Specifies the primary local recipient of the letter. Corinth was a challenging congregation, beset by divisions, moral laxity, and doctrinal issues, making Paul's address deeply personal and pointed.
• with all the saints (σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις πᾶσιν - syn tois hagiois pasin): "Saints" (hagioi) means "holy ones" or "sanctified ones," referring to all believers who are set apart by God for His purposes, not implying a higher class of Christians. This broadens the letter's audience beyond the immediate congregation, encompassing all who follow Christ in the region.
• which are in all Achaia (τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ - tois ousin en holē tē Achaia): Achaia was the Roman senatorial province encompassing southern Greece, with Corinth as its capital. This indicates that the letter was intended for a wider readership beyond just the city of Corinth itself, perhaps to circulating to other churches in the province, or to underscore the wider implications of the issues addressed.

2 Corinthians 1 1 Bonus section

The form of Paul's opening salutation in 2 Corinthians 1:1, beginning with a self-identification and claim of divine authority, followed by a co-sender and the addressees, was a common feature of Greco-Roman letters. However, Paul uniquely Christianizes this standard form. He transforms the usual "sender to recipient, greetings" by emphasizing his divinely appointed office ("an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God") and identifying the recipients as "the church of God" and "saints," underscoring their sacred identity and God's ownership. This contrasts sharply with pagan letter openings and establishes a theological framework from the very first words. The letter's extensive reach to "all Achaia" implies that it might have served as an encyclical for a regional church network, addressing issues and providing pastoral guidance relevant beyond a single congregation, aiming to unify believers and counter disruptive influences throughout the province.

2 Corinthians 1 1 Commentary

The opening verse of 2 Corinthians is more than just a formal greeting; it is a foundational statement setting the authoritative tone for the entire letter. Paul immediately establishes his divine warrant, declaring his apostleship as "by the will of God." This was crucial because his authority had been significantly challenged in Corinth, necessitating a strong and clear defense throughout the epistle. His apostleship was not a self-designation or human appointment but a direct call from Christ Himself (Acts 9, Gal 1). By rooting his authority in the sovereign will of God, Paul bypasses human accusations and grounds his subsequent counsel, commands, and defense in divine decree.

The inclusion of Timothy, though subservient to Paul's apostolic authority, signifies partnership and unified ministry. Timothy was a beloved and trusted spiritual "brother," emphasizing shared spiritual identity rather than merely a co-worker. Addressing the "church of God" in Corinth highlights the sacred identity of the congregation despite its challenges; it belongs to God, making their behavior and response to Paul's divine message profoundly significant. Expanding the audience to "all the saints in all Achaia" signals that the message and lessons are not isolated to Corinthian believers but bear universal weight for all Christians in the region, promoting unity and a shared understanding of apostolic teaching across various assemblies. This structured salutation thus serves as a compact yet potent summary of Paul's self-perception, his mission's origin, his collaborative approach to ministry, and the divine ownership and scope of the Church.