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.
2 Corinthians 1:20 nkjv
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
2 Corinthians 1:20 niv
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 esv
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:20 nlt
For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.
2 Corinthians 1 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that He should lie... Has He said, and will He not do? | God's immutable character; He cannot lie. |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God... | Emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness. |
| Ps 89:34 | My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. | God's unchanging covenants and promises. |
| Isa 55:11 | So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth... It shall accomplish... | God's word always achieves its intended purpose. |
| Jer 1:12 | For I am watching over My word to perform it. | God actively ensures the fulfillment of His word. |
| Luke 1:32-33 | He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. | Christ fulfills the Davidic covenant. |
| Luke 24:44 | that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law...and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. | Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament. |
| Rom 15:8 | Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, | Christ affirms God's promises to Israel. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God... | Our position and blessings are "in Christ." |
| Eph 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, | All spiritual blessings originate "in Christ." |
| Col 2:17 | which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. | Christ is the reality behind Old Testament types. |
| Heb 6:18 | it is impossible for God to lie, by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, | Reaffirms God's inability to be untruthful. |
| Heb 7:22 | by so much more Jesus has become the surety of a better covenant. | Jesus guarantees the new covenant. |
| Heb 8:6 | But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. | Christ as mediator of a superior covenant. |
| Heb 9:15 | And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant... | Christ mediates and secures the new covenant. |
| Heb 10:1 | For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never... | Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Law. |
| Rev 3:14 | And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:' | Christ Himself is called "the Amen." |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, | Christ's unique role as mediator. |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. | God's faithfulness is unchangeable. |
| Titus 1:2 | in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, | God's character is the guarantee of His promises. |
2 Corinthians 1 verses
2 Corinthians 1 20 Meaning
The verse 2 Corinthians 1:20 affirms that every promise God has made finds its definitive "Yes" and its complete "Amen" in Jesus Christ. This means that all of God's declarations, covenants, and prophecies are perfectly established and fulfilled through Him. The ultimate purpose of this divine certainty is the manifestation of God's glory, which is unveiled and confirmed through the ministry of believers like Paul and his associates. It underscores God's absolute faithfulness and the centrality of Christ as the embodiment of divine truth and the guarantor of His word.
2 Corinthians 1 20 Context
The verse 2 Corinthians 1:20 is deeply embedded within Paul's defense of his apostolic integrity and consistency, especially concerning his travel plans to Corinth. Chapters 1-2 open with Paul's personal account of his sufferings and comfort, directly leading into his explanation for a perceived change in his itinerary. The Corinthians may have seen Paul's modified plans as an indicator of inconsistency, questioning his trustworthiness or the reliability of his message. Paul counters this by shifting the focus from his own human planning to the divine steadfastness of God. He argues that his "Yes" in ministry reflects the unchanging "Yes" of God, which is rooted in Jesus Christ. Thus, the verse provides a profound theological ground for the consistency of Paul's preaching and life, contrasting human fickleness with divine truth and faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 1 20 Word analysis
- For (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction connects the current statement to Paul's preceding argument, indicating that what follows explains or substantiates the idea that their confidence and boasting are rooted in God's faithfulness (2 Cor 1:19). It establishes a logical link, presenting the verse as the foundational truth for Paul's consistency.
- all the promises (πᾶσαι αἱ ἐπαγγελίαι - pasai hai epangeliai): "All" emphasizes totality, every single promise God has ever made throughout history – from the covenant with Noah and Abraham, to the Law, the prophets, and future hopes. "Promises" refers to divine declarations and sworn assurances, highlighting God's self-revelation as a covenant-keeping God.
- of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou Theou): Designates God as the exclusive origin and author of these promises. It emphasizes that these are not human aspirations but divine certainties, rooted in God's nature as truth.
- in Him (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō): This is a pivotal phrase, referring to Jesus Christ. It denotes not just association but identity, sphere, and instrumentality. All of God's promises find their locus, their being, their essence, and their means of fulfillment in Christ. He is the ultimate ground and guarantor. This phrase is repeated, underscoring its immense theological weight.
- are Yes (ναί - nai): "Yes" is an absolute affirmation. It signifies that God's promises are not conditional, tentative, or subject to change. In Christ, God's answer to all His promises is an unqualified, unwavering affirmation of their reality and certainty. It’s God's unwavering resolve.
- and in Him (καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ - kai en autō): The repetition powerfully reinforces the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ. The second "in Him" serves to connect the "Yes" to the "Amen," ensuring that both aspects of divine affirmation and fulfillment are utterly centered on Christ.
- Amen (ἀμήν - amēn): A Hebrew transliteration widely used in Greek. "Amen" means "truly," "so be it," or "it is confirmed/fixed." It expresses not only affirmation but also faithfulness and certainty, transforming "Yes" into an immutable reality. In Christ, God's promises are not just affirmed but eternally secured and made real. Christ Himself is sometimes called "the Amen" (Rev 3:14), emphasizing His nature as the faithful and true witness.
- to the glory (πρὸς δόξαν - pros doxan): Indicates the ultimate purpose and result. The fulfillment of God's promises in Christ is for the manifestation and exaltation of God's intrinsic excellence, majesty, and character. God’s faithfulness shines forth through these certainties.
- of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Again, confirming God as the recipient and focus of all this glory. The certainty and fulfillment of His promises are a direct reflection of His nature.
- through us (δι’ ἡμῶν - di’ hēmōn): This phrase relates to Paul and his fellow apostles/ministers. It signifies the human agency or channel through which this divine truth is made known and actualized in the world. The proclamation of the Gospel, centered on Christ and His fulfillment of God's promises, leads to God's glory. It affirms that the faithful preaching of the gospel is the means by which God’s certain truth is witnessed and responded to by humanity.
2 Corinthians 1 20 Bonus section
The concept of "Amen" as a person, specifically Christ, highlights His intrinsic nature as Truth itself, not just a conveyor of truth. He doesn't merely make the promises certain; He is the certainty. This deepens the verse beyond a statement about God's reliability to a declaration of Christ's identity. The liturgical use of "Amen" by congregations to confirm a prayer or statement finds its ultimate origin in God's own "Amen" through Christ. It's a reminder that our human affirmation "Amen" echoes and responds to God's divine affirmation of His own promises in Christ.
2 Corinthians 1 20 Commentary
2 Corinthians 1:20 is a theological bedrock, profoundly asserting the absolute trustworthiness of God's character as revealed in His promises, all centered in Jesus Christ. It directly addresses the Corinthians' concerns about Paul's apparent inconsistency by presenting a divine model of faithfulness. God's promises, ranging from His covenants to prophetic declarations, are not uncertain or fickle; rather, in Christ, they receive an emphatic "Yes," signifying divine affirmation, and an assured "Amen," signifying their guaranteed fulfillment and immutable reality. Jesus Christ is not merely the medium through which promises are conveyed but the very embodiment and ground of their truth and accomplishment. This divine certainty is not for human self-vindication, but it culminates in God's supreme glory, His faithfulness being made evident to the world. Furthermore, this glory is mediated "through us" (apostles and believers), meaning the consistent and faithful proclamation of the gospel, which testifies to Christ's definitive role, becomes the conduit for God's praise. The practical implication is a call to unwavering trust in God's word, recognizing that Christian ministry must reflect and transmit this divine steadfastness, rather than being swayed by human inconstancy or duplicity.