2 Corinthians — Chapter 1
Greeting
1:1
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy the brother, to the Church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints in the whole of Achaia:
Textual & reception notes
Church renders ekklēsia; saints designates the holy community. Achaia is the named region, not replaced by a modern national boundary.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Timothy's inclusion and the shared church address encourage humility and unity. [Homily 1, on 2 Corinthians 1:1-2].
1:2
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: He treats grace and peace as Paul's customary greeting. [Homily 1, on 2 Corinthians 1:1-2].
Comfort in affliction
1:3
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Textual & reception notes
Comfort renders paraklēsis and its related verb in this opening sequence; the word can also mean encouragement or exhortation.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Deliverance displays God's mercy rather than the apostle's merit. [Homily 1, on 2 Corinthians 1:3].
1:4
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those in every affliction through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: God comforts within affliction, enabling sufferers to comfort others. [Homily 1, on 2 Corinthians 1:4].
1:5
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For just as the sufferings of Christ abound toward us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Sharing Christ's sufferings brings consolation through Christ. [Homily 1, on 2 Corinthians 1:5].
1:6
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Now whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which works in the endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Ministers and hearers share both suffering and consolation. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:6-7].
1:7
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And our hope for you is firm, knowing that as you are partners in the sufferings, so also in the comfort.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Confidence rests on their sharing consolation as well as sufferings. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:6-7].
1:8
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that occurred in Asia: we were burdened exceedingly, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.
Textual & reception notes
Asia is the ancient provincial name in the narrative; it is not interpreted as the whole modern continent.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The disclosure of overwhelming trials expresses confidence in the readers. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:8].
1:9
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Indeed, we ourselves had within ourselves the sentence of death, so that we might rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Nearness to death teaches reliance on God rather than oneself. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:9].
1:10
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
He delivered us from so great a death and will deliver us; in Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us yet again,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Deliverance from mortal danger supports hope in God's future rescue. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:10-11].
1:11
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
as you too help on our behalf by petition, so that many people may give thanks on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Textual & reception notes
Many people renders the literal many faces. The final through many is retained; the preceding petition supplies the natural context of many people praying, without adding prayers as a separate Greek noun.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The community's prayers make deliverance an occasion for shared thanksgiving. [Homily 2, on 2 Corinthians 1:10-11].
Sincerity and the intended visit
1:12
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience: that in holiness and sincerity from God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
Textual & reception notes
Text [G]: Holiness renders the accessed hagiotēs, rather than substituting simplicity. From God gives the genitive God’s its source sense with sincerity; divine quality is another nuance.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: A clear conscience sustains Paul amid suffering. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:12].
1:13
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For we write nothing to you other than what you read or also recognize; and I hope that you will recognize fully to the end,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's written testimony agrees with conduct the readers themselves know. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:13].
1:14
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
just as you have also recognized us in part, that we are your boast, just as you also are ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Teacher and disciples can become each other's glory at judgment. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:14].
1:15
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
And with this confidence I intended to come to you first, so that you might have a second grace,
Textual & reception notes
A second grace preserves charis in the proposed travel sequence; a second benefit or favor expresses its practical sense here.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The planned visit promised further spiritual benefit. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:15].
1:16
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
and to pass through you into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent onward by you to Judea.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Paul's travel plans remain subject to the Spirit's direction. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:16-17].
1:17
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Now when I intended this, did I then act with fickleness? Or do I plan what I plan according to the flesh, so that with me there is both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Changed plans reflect spiritual obedience rather than mere fickleness. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:16-17].
God’s Yes in Christ
1:18
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But God is faithful: our word to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: A changed itinerary does not invalidate the gospel's truth. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:18].
1:19
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you through us—through me and Silvanus and Timothy—did not become “Yes” and “No,” but in Him “Yes” has come to be.
Textual & reception notes
Silvanus preserves the name used in this letter rather than silently substituting another form.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Fellow preachers corroborate the consistent proclamation of Christ. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:19].
1:20
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
For however many God’s promises are, in Him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through Him is the “Amen” to God, for glory through us.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: God's fulfilled promises ground confidence in what remains promised. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:20].
1:21
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Now the One who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: God's establishing and anointing strengthen confidence in future gifts. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:21-22].
1:22
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
who also sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.
Textual & reception notes
Pledge renders arrabōn, an initial installment or guarantee. Of the Spirit identifies the pledged gift without describing Him as only partially personal.
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: The Spirit is a pledge of the fullness still awaited. [Homily 3, on 2 Corinthians 1:21-22].
Sparing the community
1:23
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
But I call God as witness against my soul that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Delaying the visit gives the Corinthians time to repent. [Homily 4, on 2 Corinthians 1:23].
1:24
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for in faith you stand.
Textual & reception notes
Reception (Tier A; direct commentary) — St John Chrysostom: Ministry helps believers' joy; faith cannot be compelled. [Homily 4, on 2 Corinthians 1:24].