2 Corinthians 1:21 kjv

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

2 Corinthians 1:21 nkjv

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,

2 Corinthians 1:21 niv

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

2 Corinthians 1:21 esv

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,

2 Corinthians 1:21 nlt

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,

2 Corinthians 1 verses

2 Corinthians 1 21 Meaning

God is the divine agent who firmly establishes, grounds, and secures both the apostle Paul (and his companions) and the Corinthian believers in a deep, inseparable union with Christ. Furthermore, this same God is the one who has spiritually empowered and set them apart through a divine anointing, indicative of the Holy Spirit's presence and work in their lives. This verse underscores God's active involvement in confirming the reality and reliability of their shared spiritual experience.

2 Corinthians 1 21 Context

This verse is situated in Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry and the integrity of his word, following a change in his travel plans to Corinth (2 Cor 1:12-24). The Corinthians had questioned Paul's reliability, perceiving his altered itinerary as a sign of inconsistency. Paul argues that his message, unlike human promises, is always "Yes" in Christ, because Christ Himself is the ultimate "Yes" to all God's promises (2 Cor 1:18-20). Verse 21 then shifts from defending Paul's message to asserting the source of the Corinthians' own spiritual stability and anointing, which is none other than God Himself. By stating that God "establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us," Paul firmly roots their shared spiritual experience—both apostolic and communal—in divine reliability, directly addressing and countering any perception of human fickleness or spiritual uncertainty. It reinforces that their shared faith is divinely grounded and not dependent on human performance or shifting circumstances.

2 Corinthians 1 21 Word analysis

• Now He who establishes (ὁ βεβαιῶν ἡμᾶς - ho bebaiōn hēmas):
  • He who: Refers explicitly to God, as confirmed at the end of the verse "is God."
  • establishes (βεβαιῶν - bebaiōn): From the Greek verb bebaioō, meaning "to make firm, sure, steadfast; to confirm, ratify, guarantee." This present participle indicates an ongoing divine action. The significance is that God is continually upholding and confirming their spiritual standing. It signifies divine enablement for steadfastness and firmness in faith, contrasting with any human vacillation. It implies a legal or covenantal assurance, highlighting God's commitment.
• us: Refers primarily to Paul and his apostolic co-workers (e.g., Silvanus and Timothy mentioned in 2 Cor 1:19), representing the apostles. It shows their firm grounding by God, authenticating their ministry.
• with you (σὺν ὑμῖν - syn hymin):
  • with: (σὺν - syn): Indicates a shared experience, a fellowship, or solidarity. This is not just a personal establishment for Paul, but a collective one, binding Paul and the Corinthians together in a common spiritual reality. It bridges any potential gap between apostolic authority and the common believer, emphasizing their unified foundation in Christ.
• in Christ (εἰς Χριστόν - eis Christon):
  • in Christ: (εἰς Χριστόν - eis Christon): This crucial Pauline phrase describes the sphere or realm of believers' existence, their identity, and the very ground of their salvation and stability. It denotes intimate spiritual union and participation. Being established into Christ suggests a divine movement and embedding within Christ, emphasizing the centrality of Jesus in this divine work of confirmation. It's not just a belief about Christ, but a transformed existence in Him.
• and has anointed (καὶ ὁ χρίσας ἡμᾶς - kai ho chrisas hēmas):
  • anointed (χρίσας - chrisas): From the verb chriō, meaning "to smear or rub with oil, to anoint." In biblical context, anointing often signified consecration (setting apart for divine service), endowment with divine power (for kings, priests, prophets), or appointment for a special task. The aorist participle indicates a decisive, completed action.
  • us: Again, referring to Paul/apostles and the Corinthian believers, as "us" and "you" were linked earlier. This emphasizes that this anointing is not exclusive to apostles but is shared by all believers. This anointing is the Holy Spirit (as clarified in 2 Cor 1:22, referring to the "seal" and "deposit").
• is God (θεός - theos): Explicitly attributes all the actions—establishing and anointing—to God. This highlights divine sovereignty and agency in their spiritual lives, ensuring the absolute reliability and divine origin of their spiritual foundation and empowerment.

2 Corinthians 1 21 Bonus section

• Trinity Implicit: While not explicitly naming the Holy Spirit, the verse points to a Trinitarian work: "He" (God the Father) "establishes us" "in Christ" (the Son) and "has anointed us" (by the Holy Spirit, further clarified in 2 Cor 1:22). This implies a unified divine action.
• Divine Initiative: The verse highlights that all aspects of a believer's stability and spiritual empowerment originate solely from God's initiative, not human effort or merit. It’s God who establishes and who has anointed.
• Shared Spiritual Experience: The repeated use of "us" (Paul and companions) and "you" (Corinthian believers) connected by "with," emphasizes a collective and universal experience of God's work, bridging any hierarchical gap in foundational spiritual reality. All genuine believers share in this divine establishment and anointing.
• Contrast to Old Covenant Anointing: While Old Testament anointing often consecrated individuals (kings, priests, prophets) for specific offices, the New Covenant anointing through the Holy Spirit is for all believers, empowering them for a priestly kingdom and prophetic witness (1 Pet 2:9; Acts 2:17-18).
• Authenticating Ministry: For Paul, this verse not only affirms the believers' standing but also subtly re-affirms his own ministry's divine authentication. If God establishes "us" (the apostles) "with you" (the believers) and "anointed us," then his ministry itself is divinely authorized and trustworthy.

2 Corinthians 1 21 Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:21 offers profound assurance by directly attributing the believers' spiritual steadfastness and empowerment to God. In a context where Paul's reliability was questioned, he elevates the discussion to God's unfailing reliability. "He who establishes us with you in Christ" powerfully asserts that the stability of both the apostolic ministry and the common faith of the Corinthians is not rooted in human plans or performance, but in God's continuous, steadfast work. This divine "establishment" secures believers in their union with Christ, making their identity and foundation as unshakable as God Himself. The phrase "in Christ" highlights the essential sphere of this security; all spiritual benefits flow from and are sustained within this divine relationship. Furthermore, the declaration that God "has anointed us" speaks to a specific, past act of divine impartation—the giving of the Holy Spirit. This anointing signifies their consecration as God's own, their endowment with spiritual power, and their enablement for living out their faith and participating in God's redemptive purposes. It reinforces the truth that their spiritual life and service are supernaturally energized by God. In essence, the verse beautifully grounds believers' existence in the absolute faithfulness, power, and enduring presence of God, through Christ and by the Spirit, providing a robust counter-argument to any doubt or wavering.