Paul salutes the Corinthians, 1, 2; he encourages them against troubles by the comforts and deliverances which God had given him, as in all his afflictions, 3-7, so particularly in his late danger in Asia, 8-11. And calling both his own conscience and theirs to witness of his sincere manner of preaching the immutable truth of the gospel, 12-14, he excuses his not coming to them as proceeding not of lightness, but of his kindness toward them, 15-24.
1 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 May grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation, 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. 6 And whether we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer, or whether we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you shall also be of the consolation.
8 For we do not wish, brothers, to have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10 Who delivered us from so great a death and will deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us, 11 You also helping together by prayer for us, so that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12 For our rejoicing is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our manner of life in the world, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we write no other things to you than what you read or acknowledge. And I trust you will acknowledge even to the end, 14 As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence I purposed to come to you before so that you might have a second benefit, 16 And to pass by you into Macedonia and to come back from Macedonia to you, and by you to be brought on my way toward Judea. 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use levity? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh so that with me there should be, "Yes, yes," and, "No, no"? 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not "yes" and "no." 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "yes" and "no," but in him was "yes." 20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes;" therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God by us. 21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 Who has also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Moreover, I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I have not as yet come to Corinth. 24 It is not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, for by faith you stand.
Matthew Henry Commentary - 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 1[➚]